The
Casa de los Amigos was founded by Quakers in 1956 as a center for
social justice and service projects. It is also a guest house for
travelers interested in peace and social justice.
For more information on staying at the Casa and long-term volunteer
opportunities here, please go to http://www.casadelosamigos.org
or send an email to amigos@casadelosamigos.org
Schedule of Activities
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In 2006, marking its 50th anniversary as a registered organization,
the Casa was named a Center for Peace and International Understanding.
Our mission is to
• Nurture a space
of community, exchange, and refuge in Mexico City.
• Encourage understanding
and dialogue between individuals, groups, and different segments
of society.
• Promote peace, nonviolence,
and the positive transformation of conflicts.
• Strengthen the role of Mexican
civil society in peace and justice.
We act as a link between the international and Mexican peace and
justice communities. We work with others in Mexico to organize
and host workshops and educational events on nonviolence and conflict
transformation; promote economic justice by selling fair trade products
and supporting a Mazahua women’s cooperative; and offer short-term
lodging to a small number of migrants and refugees.
Our hospitality program and guesthouse continue to welcome thousands
of visitors from around the world, while our weekly social and cultural
activities build international understanding and community.
The
Casa de los Amigos is neither a hotel nor a youth hostel. Rather,
it is a Quaker home and guest house. We are an international, social
justice oriented community of peace, fellowship, fun, reflection,
and action. People come together in the Casa to share time, space,
culture, ideas, experiences, and lots of food. Creating and maintaining
a nonviolent, supportive and welcoming environment, in solidarity
with peaceworkers everywhere, has become an essential part of living
and fulfilling the Casa’s mission.
Visitors are welcome. Please visit
http://www.casadelosamigos.org/website/hospitality/hospitalityindex.htm
or contact the address above for details regarding rates, directions
and general description. For more information about long-term
volunteer opportunities here, please go to http://www.casadelosamigos.org,
or send an email to amigos@casadelosamigos.org.
Casa de los Amigos is a Center for Peace and International Understanding
in Mexico City. The Casa was established as a nonprofit organization
in 1956 by the Quaker community in Mexico, and its work continues
to be rooted in Quaker values. Through its programs, community space,
and social and cultural activities, the Casa promotes peace with
justice, fosters understanding between groups and individuals, and
supports the human dignity of every person. Since the 1930s, the
Quaker community in Mexico has promoted social programs within the
Mexican community. Casa de los Amigos, A.C. was formally begun in
1956 after the acquisition of a property belonging to the family
of muralist José Clemente Orozco. American Friends
Service Committee supported the Casa de los Amigos with economic
resources and volunteers until 1984, when the Casa became an independent
organization.
In the 1980’s, the wars in Central America brought thousands
of refugees to Mexico seeking political asylum and a new home. Thanks
to Mexico’s liberal refugee policy, the Casa was able to help
many of these refugees with donations of medicine, food, accommodation,
and legal assistance among other things. The Refugee Program closed
in 1994 after a significant decline in the numbers of refugees arriving
in Mexico.
The Flor de Mazahua Cooperative is a small group of Mazahua women
producing traditional handicrafts. For five years in the 1990’s,
Casa de los Amigos helped the cooperative by offering technical
support, administrative assistance and by marketing their products.
In 1998, the Casa ceased to be directly involved with the cooperative
when they became self-sufficient. Today, some Friends still help
with international marketing.
In 2006, marking its 50th anniversary as a registered organization,
the Casa was named a Center for Peace and International Understanding.
Report of the Jubilee Celebration: October 27-29, 2006
Now over fifty years ago, Ed Duckles drove around Mexico City in
his banged-up truck, called “Nunca Tomo”, with a copy
of the Excelsior classifieds in the backseat, the notice circled
for Ignacio Mariscal #132. Buying the house was a bold move
for the visionary Friends who wanted to create “a meeting
place to strengthen and affirm the bonds of true sisterhood and
brotherhood.” This October, friends of the Casa de los
Amigos traveled from near and far to celebrate a half-century of
Quaker service, community, and peacemaking in Mexico. The
anniversary was the Casa’s fiftieth year as a recognized civil
association, a “Jubilee” watermark and a time for sharing
memories, forgiveness, and renewal.
