Casa Marianella

2008 Neighborhood Beautification Grant Recipient

Casa Marianella is a shelter for immigrants and refugees.  The shelter has operated out of a three bedroom house on Gunter St. since 1986. Aside from providing shelter, food and clothing to the residents, Casa Marianella provides referrals to members of the Latino community who need help finding work, legal assistance, food and clothing.  Casa Marianella volunteers offer free English classes nearby at Allen Elementary School and, on Saturdays, at 828 Gunter, a newly acquired house that hosts classes.  Most of the neighbors have been living in the area as long as the organization has been in the neighborhood, if not longer. 

On February 14th, 2009 Casa Marianella and UT student volunteers went door to door to meet their neighbors and offer them free native trees to beautify their yards and reduce the urban heat island effect.  This project will foster community, help make an East Austin neighborhood greener and encourage others to do the same.

Future beautification projects at Casa Marianella include expanding their vegetable garden and xeriscaping their shelter’s yard with native and edible plants.