Meet Louise

Before living at Casa Querencia, Louise tried other forms of housing. She lived with friends, stayed in a shelter and motel, and even tried living at a nursing home for a while but she felt that none of these were sustainable living situations. Louise talked mostly about her experience living in a shelter, and that she never wants to be in that situation again due to the poor living conditions there and witnessing a lot drug abuse and even the death of some friends there.

When the opportunity to live at Casa Querencia first came to Louise, she was hesitant about living there because she was unsure it would be a comfortable or safe place, but once she met the staff that provides services there like the organization Mercy House, it started to feel more like home. At the apartment, Louise really enjoys gardening and doing art projects. She says she is currently writing a story about her life experiences.

Louise feels a sense of home and responsibility being at Casa Querencia, and even wants to start a trash clean up group to ensure the property remains in good condition.

Louise said that without this access to housing at Casa Querencia, she is not sure she would have lived much longer. Louise has now been living at Casa Querencia for less than a year with her husband, and says she is grateful for this opportunity.