Our Story
2019
Parishioners from Christ Church Cathedral began traveling to the southern border to learn more about the crisis associated with increasing numbers of people fleeing to the US. They visited shelters and refugee encampments, and met with government officials and community leaders. They spent time with individuals who had left their countries of origin to escape violence, persecution, and devastating poverty. Most had no access to food, shelter, medical care or knowledge of how to navigate our country’s legal asylum process.
2022
The same parishioners visited an emergency shelter in Houston that was inundated with men, women and children from all over the world who were desperately seeking help. Arriving with articles of clothing and a willingness to serve, they realized that the demand for another shelter that could offer comprehensive services far outweighed the need for donations or volunteers. Through meetings with leaders from the City of Houston, nonprofits and other faith-based organizations, they were overwhelmed by the outpouring of support and pleas to build a new shelter. Inspired by the model of a successful Austin-based shelter serving asylum seekers and displaced immigrants, they proposed the creation of a similar facility in the city of Houston. The Episcopal Diocese of Texas generously offered a 6-acre campus and building, Christ Church Cathedral granted seed funding to make the needed modifications to the campus, and Casa Mateo was born.
