Mission and History
As stated in our center’s mission, “in partnership with our resident organizations, La Casa provides opportunities that foster a sense of belonging and pride while supporting the intellectual, personal, leadership and social development of our students.”
Center foundations are tied to several components, including the establishment of the Afro American Cultural Center, Yale Law School students and New Haven community members, as well as two student organizations: Despierta Boricua and Mecha de Yale. Student organizations have always been an integral part of La Casa’s history, mission, and overall community building efforts. Thanks for the work you do and for being with us!
Center Affiliation Benefits
- Advisor, meetings, and trainings to help with leadership development and group efforts
- Invitations to specific efforts that help groups with member recruitment (e.g. fall Open House, spring Bulldog Days open house)
- Group officers get extended card access to the center (Sunday-Saturday, 7am-9pm) to manage any storage or meeting/event needs
- Access to funding each semester, center storage, and center supplies/equipment
- Website inclusion (updates collected via affiliation form)
- Newsletter features and spotlights under center-affiliated section (toward the top)
- Viewing access to La Casa Planning Calendar to avoid counter-programming and save/promote important dates
Center Affiliation Requirements
- Must be a registered student organization with Yale College in good standing each year (e.g. completed documentation, trainings, etc.).
- This process is only offered once a year, which opened on July 21 and closes August 31: https://studentorgs.yalecollege.yale.edu/get-involved/re-registration-now-open-and-will-close-august-31st
- Must be a group with a mission that aligns with La Casa’s mission; a group that centers the Latine/Latinx/Latin American experience, including a focus on mixed racial/ethnic identities
- If not, while affiliation may not be the best option, we are always open to collaboration and sharing resources (e.g. using La Casa to host events/meetings, promoting things on our newsletter/social media, co-hosting a program that intersects with Latinidad, etc.). Examples: Bridges ESL, A Leg Even (ALE), Disability Empowerment for Yale (DEFY)
- Must meet La Casa’s affiliation expectations
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Affiliation and funding form submission each semester
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Attend monthly org leader meetings
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Attend at least one La Casa advisor/group meeting at the start of each semester
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Representatives during La Casa’s open houses (fall and Bulldog Days)
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Event collaborations during Latine Heritage Month and Bulldog Days
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Additional funding is made available for these efforts
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Host at least one event at La Casa each semester
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Submit an event evaluation for each event (regardless of location/funding source)
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Not needed for recurring events/meetings, unless La Casa funding is used toward it
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Be responsible stewards of funding, spaces, and overall mission
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Fall 2024 Affiliate Groups’ Kickoff Meeting
La Casa’s interim Assistant Director, Maryam Parhizkar, will be hosting our annual affiliate groups kickoff meeting on Tuesday, August 27 (3:30pm-5pm EST) via Zoom. This is a requirement for all groups seeking to maintain or gain affiliation in the Fall 2024 semester.
