Casita Community Charitable Trust

We seek to promote equity by providing a safe and supportive environment for young adults who may be vulnerable and have support needs. We support and promote inclusivity for all ages and abilities in our community.

As a teacher of Special Education, our Founder, Charrissa Taylor, identified the need for practical and meaningful work-experience opportunities for high-functioning special needs school-leavers over and above what was already available in the Bay of Plenty. She witnessed gaps in the system and watched young people with a lot of potential, fall through those gaps. Casita was set up to catch as many as we can, and help them continue their journey as happy and independent members of our community.

Our operational costs are covered primarily from community donations and the sale of 2nd-hand goods in our store, located in Greerton Village, Tauranga. With the current economic conditions, the level of funds received have been affected. This has also been compounded by rising operational costs. We are continuously receiving requests from more young people who want to join us, and we really would like to be able to offer more opportunities but at the moment our financial situation is proving restrictive.

How can you help? Every dollar donated to our charity, helps to support us to remain operating in the future, providing our current and future 'Casitians' the opportunity to learn skills and grow in their confidence to live a more independent and happy life.