Casa de Paz, the subject of Welcome Strangers, began in 2012 as a small, one-bedroom apartment in Aurora, Colorado, offering hospitality to families separated by immigrant detention. Their work has always been to host families whose loved ones are being detained and individuals who have been recently released. In 2017 they moved into a larger, rented house with more space so they would not have to turn people away.

Today, Casa de Paz provides visits and emotional support, shelter and meals, access to phones, WiFi, computers and transportation. Detention is a difficult time that tears families apart and creates a financial burden, so they have always offered their services free of cost.

Learn more at casadepazcolorado.org

Casa de Paz, By the Numbers:

2,903 Total Guests from 73 countries including all Central American countries, Cameroon, Fiji, Haiti, India, Italy, Mexico, Nepal, Sudan and Vietnam just to name a few.

Each guest has his or her own special story. A few memorable guests were an Olympic cyclist, a clown, a music video star, a professional soccer player, a doctor, an entrepreneur chef, a lawyer and an MMA boxer.

2019 Visitation Stats
In 2019, four visitation teams, comprised of 198 volunteers, made 81 visits each week with detained immigrants..

The teams have sponsored eight immigrants and raised money to hire 12 lawyers. They also coordinate court accompaniment and raise money to put funds on to the commissary accounts of those in need.

1,781 Current volunteers
In 2019, volunteers prepared 561 fresh, homemade meals and the home was cleaned top to bottom 188 times.

Companions went to to the detention center 258 times to pick up guests.

Casa de Paz held 22 volunteer trainings across the state of Colorado.

Outreach in 2019
Volunteers shared the Casa story at 156 state-wide events, churches and universities.

71 school, church and community groups visited the home and learned more about immigrant detention.

On average, 67 teams play in Volleyball Internacional each season. This is the Casa’s social enterprise which raises money to pay their bills.

A Thank You Note from Maria, a Casa Guest:
I feel like a queen here. Thank you for your kindness, hospitality, clothes, things, food and every thing beautiful that you’ve done for me here. I felt the presence of God here. God is going to keep blessing everyone here in unexpected ways. I wish nothing but the best, infinite love and blessings. What you do here is not easy, that’s why God put the best warriors here. God bless all your families. Thank you.