Past, Present, and the ‘Next Ten’ at Casa del Lago

Almost twenty years ago, leaders at the Cristo Rey Presbyterian Church envisioned a ministry that would meet the specific needs of Latino families in the Bachman Lake community. They began by offering ESL classes to their neighbors. 

Though native-speakers often take it for granted, English is the key to unlocking more opportunities for families in the United States. Without it, our neighbors find themselves trying to navigate systems they don’t understand and risk becoming trapped in a cycle of generational poverty.

Cristo Rey’s free ESL classes to families in the area were truly life-changing for many of our neighbors. With essential language skills, our neighbors could overcome the language barrier and work toward building a brighter future for their families—a future where no dream was too big. 

The support Rosa’s family received began when her father walked by Cristo Rey 11 years ago. “He saw the sign that they were offering English classes. He went in and asked for more information,” she says. “He really liked the classes and encouraged me and my brothers to start attending as well.” 

For Rosa’s father, her two brothers, and Rosa herself, this was just the beginning of their story and how their lives would be impacted by Casa del Lago.

The ESL program initially launched by the Cristo Rey congregation was so successful that church leaders wanted to expand the ministry’s impact by providing more educational opportunities to families in the community. 

The hunger for knowledge—for language skills, workplace training, and spiritual edification—was palpable. Neighbors were devoted to the program and, what’s more, to helping lift each other up along the way, multiplying the effect it was having on neighbors’ everyday lives.

It wasn’t long before church leaders recognized that the church’s limited human and financial resources would not be enough to fulfill their robust vision for serving the community. Thus, in 2014, Casa del Lago was officially founded, and, with the help of donors and community partners, we have been demonstrating God’s love to our Bachman Lake neighbors ever since. 

At Casa, Rosa found a caring, supportive community where there was something for every member of her family. Her husband participated in ESL classes, her sons Emiliano and Enrique were enrolled in the Early Childhood Education (ECE) program and later received academic support in the After School Reading program and Summer Reading Camp when they began elementary school. Rosa’s older son, Ernesto, worked for Summer at the Lake as a member of the Summer Youth Corps.

And Rosa? In addition to the ESL classes she initially took, she participated in the classes and seminars given to ECE parents and enrolled in computer literacy classes. Three years after her very first ESL class, Rosa became a treasured member of our staff as an assistant teacher in our ECE program. 

Today, Casa del Lago serves 380 unique individuals in the 75220 zip code, many of whom participate in multiple programs, taking advantage of every opportunity to become plugged into the Casa community. We now have four programs, each designed to make an intergenerational impact on our Casa families by helping them access the education and resources they need for future success.

Rosa says that when she started in Casa del Lago, she was in a “difficult” situation. “Coming here, being part of Casa, learning more about God—that was a big blessing in our lives, for our family. I learned there is hope in Christ, and I’m thankful. I can see the fruits of trusting in Him.” 

Though our programming has expanded over the last ten years, our mission has remained the same. We envision a vibrant Bachman Lake neighborhood filled with active and growing disciples of Christ, equipped to face the educational, emotional, and material challenges of their lives and who are leading community transformation. 

Casa del Lago exists to demonstrate God’s love by providing our neighbors with quality, faith-based educational programming, counseling, and legal assistance.

Looking ahead to the next ten years, we plan to continue pursuing our vision of a thriving Bachman Lake community. Casa’s biggest and best days are still ahead, and there is more help and hope to provide to families. The goals for upcoming years include financial management classes and, potentially, GED prep classes. Finally, Casa’s biggest program expansion yet is imminent! 

Thank you for all of your support and prayers over the years. Because of you, Casa truly is a special place where hope is restored and families can envision a brighter future for their children. 

“I want to say thank you to Casa’s supporters,” says Rosa’s son Enrique. “Their support has helped change the lives of families and children. Thank God for their support.”

This North Texas Giving Day, we invite you to learn more about how Casa del Lago is making a tremendous impact on our Bachman Lake families, and how, with your help, we can continue uplifting our community through our all-ages programming. 

Right now, an anonymous donor has pledged to match the first $10,000 we raise between now and North Texas Giving Day. Your gift to Casa, in any amount, will now have twice the impact! 

Please help us encourage and support families like Rosa’s by making a gift to Casa del Lago today!