Time to Celebrate

As our 2022-23 school year came to a close, we took time to celebrate with our amazing students and volunteers.

On May 23rd we gathered outside at Cristo Rey de la Salle High School for an evening of community, delicious food, music & a raffle with many prizes - including 3 iMac computers, 3 laptops, cash prizes and 4 season tickets donated by the Oakland Roots Soccer Club.

We had a lot to celebrate - this school year was a huge success! Las Casas held in-person, evening classes 3x week for 30 weeks this school year! Over the course of the year, we had 250 enrolled students who were taught by our amazing team of 40+ teachers and teaching assistants.

Creating Connections

On May 1st we hosted our 2nd Community Fair event at Cristo Rey de la Salle and it was a beautiful and impactful evening! We had over 100 attendees and our students were able to engage and learn from the 10 local organizations who tabled and distributed information and resources. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive and we heard from more than one presenter that they also benefited from meeting and networking with the other organizations involved.  

Our community fair events help our students connect to the critical services and resources they need to build a better life for themselves and their families. Las Casas is dedicated to creating community and building bridges between the many organizations that serve our student population.

We’re proud to partner with the following organizations:

La Clinica / Casa CHE, Centro Legal de la Raza, Cristo Rey de la Salle East Bay HS, Spanish Speaking Citizens' Foundation, East Oakland Collective, Oakland Catholic Worker, Oakland Public Library - Cesar E Chavez Branch, Order of Malta Clinic of Northern California, Peralta Community Colleges, St. Elizabeth Elementary School, Street Level Health Project, Upward Scholar.

Student Reflections



We ask our students (and volunteers) for feedback and suggestions on an ongoing basis to ensure we are meeting the needs of all our constituents. At the close of the school year, many students took time to thank the Dominican Sisters of MSJ for their ongoing support and Cristo Rey de la Salle High School for generously opening their doors and allowing Las Casas to use their school for our evening classes. Our students also shared their gratitude for our dedicated teachers. Here is a sample of some of the thoughtful responses we received from our students:

"I started learning at Las Casas in 2022 . My first class at Las Casas is Intermediate low. When I just started coming to classes I felt a little nervous, is normal, but as time goes by you adapt to everything. I have made good friends from other countries. Now I am happy. I have learned a lot."

"Dear Cristo Rey de la Salle.....thanks for the opportunity to study English.

I am happy with my teachers. I am grateful for everything. I come to Las Casas two years. I speak English in my work for now I write and understand English."

"Thank you so much! I am very happy and you all give me more courage and encouragement."

"Thank you because I have personally enjoyed your dynamics and I have felt like a kid enjoying the classes. Thanks to the teachers because they put a lot of effort into everything."

"Dear Cristo Rey, thank you for letting us use your building. I am grateful because I learn to read and write English. I am happy because the teachers are kind."

"Thank you for teaching me. This year I learned better reading, and pronunciation. My favorite activity was listening to teachers. This summer I’ll practice English by using English at work or while shopping."