Casa Youth Shelter commended by City of Los Alamitos

According to Casa Youth Shelter staff members and volunteers, close to a hundred people squeezed into the outdoor recreation area at the front of the facility to watch while Los Alamitos Mayor Troy Edgar sang Casa’s praises and presented an official commendation from the City.

Before and after the official recognition, all those attending had great fun combing through a well-stocked Collectibles and Estate sale that featured everything from furniture to afghans to teapots to hurricane lamps to glass paperweights.

Casa Youth Shelter, Estate and Collectibles Sale, glassware

Colorful paperweights were for sale at Casa's collectibles sale.

The shelter is proud that 80% of its operating budget is received through private sources rather than from public funds.

Again this year, April has been “Pizza Mondays” at Valentino’s pizza, when Kenny Brandyberry bakes and serves pizzas to earn money in support of Casa Youth Shelter.

A highlight of Casa’s fundraising year is the Commander’s Ball, named after its founder, Myldred E. Jones, who retired from the Navy with the rank of Lieutenant Commander. Held annually in October, the Ball is a glittering event eagerly looked forward to by all of Casa’s supporters in surrounding communities.

History of Casa Youth Shelter

Casa Youth Shelter was founded by Myldred E. Jones after she sold her home in Rossmoor to purchase two lots on Reagan Street in Los Alamitos in 1977.

A bronze wall plaque proclaims Casa

That first year, the shelter barely supported a single paid staff member — with income supplemented by “a bountiful zucchini garden!”

Myldred’s home on the grounds of the shelter was eventually replaced after her death by a new outdoor recreational area.

The original single-story shelter building has been extended and a second story added to provide more office space, indoor recreation and expanded living quarters.

The shelter can now house six girls and six boys in separate sleeping quarters.

A spacious kitchen provides working space for cooking, with a roomy pantry and laundry facilities nearby.

Casa Youth Shelter keeps running through the support of the surrounding communities. If you would like to donate your time, talent or money to Casa, you can send email to agency@casayouthshelter.org or call 562-594-6825.

Featured photo

The entrance to Casa Youth Shelter at 10911 Reagan St. in Los Alamitos, a couple of doors south of Precious Life Shelter. The balloons are part of the decorations for Casa’s open house and collectibles sale on Saturday, April 28.

We Care of Los Alamitos, also founded by Myldred Jones, is now located a short distance away at 3788 Cerritos Ave. in Los Alamitos.

All photos are by C.E.H. Wiedel.

Casa Youth Shelter to receive commendation from City of Los Alamitos (oc-breeze.com)
Casa Youth Shelter to host estate and collectibles sales (oc-breeze.com)
Annual “Pizza Mondays” sponsored by Valentino’s Pizza start the first monday in April (oc-breeze.com)
We Care of Los Alamitos accepts donation from National Charity League (oc-breeze.com)

About the Author

shelley

Shelley Henderson is a reformed computer and networking geek turned freelance writer. Now she only fixes her own networks and computers. That leaves time for writing, and writing and more writing. And editing the Orange County Breeze. Shelley most enjoys visiting and finding out about local businesses to write business profiles that allow our communities to learn more about their local businesses and the people who own and run them. If you own or manage a business in our coverage area and would like to invite Shelley to write a business profile, let us know.