Roslindale Porchfest: Music sparks unifying love among neighbors!
It was a beautiful day for dancing in the driveway! With a wonderful turnout, the Haitian roots music band ZepenG (pronounced zay-PONG) filled the neighborhood with a vibrant fusion of sounds. For the first time at Roslindale Porchfest, Casserly House welcomed ZepenG to perform on Saturday, September 13.
A Day of Play, Discovery, and Learning
On July 17th, our Casserly House children enjoyed a day of fun, teamwork, and exploration — a day that perfectly blended active play, curiosity, and hands-on learning.
Backpacks make the burden lighter – for kids and parents alike!
Casserly House is thrilled to receive the amazing generosity from Spirit of Life Community and Backpacks for New Beginnings.
Summer Conversation Club 2025 – Learning and Connecting
From mid-June through the end of July, our Summer Conversation Club brought together adult learners each week for a mix of lively discussions, practical English practice, and community connection.
Alongside immigrants…
Casserly House engages volunteers for our ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) Classes. Their welcoming spirit makes a big difference in the lives of our immigrant adult learners, not only the English instruction that is offered.
Celebrating 25 Years at Casserly House in Roslindale
On Sunday afternoon, June 22nd, Casserly House joyfully marked a very special milestone—25 years since our founding by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Boston.
Roslindale ESOL Awards Inspire Love & Courage
In a packed room in Roslindale’s Library, Casserly House joined ABCD Boston-Roslindale to honor adult learners and volunteers, each making remarks after heartfelt introductions.
Roslindale Unites for “Love Your Block” Cleanup on May 3rd
On May 3rd, neighbors of all ages gathered for the “Love Your Block” Neighborhood Cleanup, an energizing and family-friendly event hosted by the Viet Nam Temple and Casserly House, in partnership with the City of Boston. Participants enjoyed doughnuts and coffee...
A Day of Discovery at the Arboretum
On April 23rd, a group of middle school-aged children enjoyed a guided trip to the Arnold Arboretum. This was a chance to connect with nature and engage in the incredible diversity of trees and plants from around the world. Thanks to our wonderful guides, we learned...
Spring Celebrations at Casserly House
This spring, Casserly House volunteers came together to spread joy by assembling and distributing Spring Baskets to 32 children in our community. Each basket was filled with sweet treats, small surprises, and lots of love—reminding local families that they’re seen, supported, and celebrated. It was a simple act of kindness that brought big smiles and strengthened our community bonds.
Standing with Immigrants, living CSJ charism: Casserly House Quotes
In March, I offered a snapshot into the lives of our immigrant neighbors during this challenging time via the Casserly House blog. Today, I convey a collection of quotes – that illustrate the difference that Casserly House makes over time – from the various perspectives of a collaborator, community workshop attendees, neighborhood parents and children, a volunteer, and ESOL adult learners. Still, after 25 years, “it takes a village” to move ahead!
Immigrant Day at State House, Amidst Quite a Week
On March 19th, the Feast of Saint Joseph, along with other interfaith religious leaders who gathered for prayer at the Episcopal Cathedral, I joined hundreds more at the State House for MIRA Coalition’s “Immigrant Day!” We were building community, supporting each other, while advocating for the Safe Communities Act and the Immigrant Legal Defense Fund.
Knowing Your Rights, including Silence!
Roslindale partners – ABCD Boston, Casserly House, MIRA Coalition, RISE – Roslindale is for Everyone, and Boston Public Library – joined together to offer to our immigrant neighbors two multi-lingual “Know Your Rights-KYR” Workshops on February 27 and March 3, offering important information, practices, and collective solace in a tumultuous time. One hundred and twenty (120) people attended – the vast majority were Haitian Creole and Spanish speaking immigrants.
Learning and Laughing at the Museum of Science
During the February school vacation, 6 kids from the Casserly House community visited Boston’s Museum of Science! E5 District Police generously provided transportation, and the Museum of Science provided funding to ensure the tickets were free!
Together, Coping with Challenges, “FOR A BETTER LIFE!”
On the evening of January 30th, Casserly House coordinated a collaborative “Community Workshop on Health and Wellbeing.” Immigrants, refugees, and asylees who live, work and study in Roslindale gathered to learn about the signs and symptoms of stress, to share challenges and to discuss coping strategies and available resources. Sixty-five people gathered at the Roslindale Branch of Boston Public Library with the Behavioral Health Team of Greater Roslindale Medical and Dental Center as presenters.
Celebrating Lunar New Year with Our Buddhist Neighbors
The local Buddhist temple invited Casserly House to join their festivities for the lunar New Year celebration on January 25, 2025. Happy Year of the Snake!
Rain or Shine, We Want S’more!
Casserly House’s original plans for a backyard bonfire were adjusted due to rain, but bad weather couldn’t dampen our good time together! Parents and children gathered inside to make “snow people” out of marshmallows, drink hot chocolate, design paper snowflakes, and eat s’mores!
Home is Where We’re Heard
Welcome. Connection. Prioritizing Immigrant Voice. On January 7th, Casserly House volunteers reflected on these words, inspired by the CSJ mission and how it is manifested at Casserly House. Welcome and immigrant voice relate to inclusive love and human dignity, connection to our dear neighbors in community and solidarity.
“Breathing in, calm the mind and body. Breathing out, smiles.”*
Rosie from Four Corners Yoga and Wellness came to Casserly House and led a mindfulness practice in our English classes. Immigrants have unique challenges and obstacles! As an indicator of rising stress, a nurse in a nearby medical center noted, “Immigrants’ blood pressure readings have increased over the past couple of months.” A common new year resolution for all of us might be living more in the present moment. Focusing on your breath – the spirit of life – is one major way. Another: paying attention to your body.
Gratitude for Good Food!
Our annual Turkey meal distribution went well this year. Thirteen neighboring families received ingredients for Thanksgiving feasts! Many thanks to our generous contributors.
Begin It!
Concerning all acts of initiative and creation, there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too.