Casa CreSer

Casa CreSer is a specialized residential initiative designed to provide teenage mothers and their children who have experienced violence, neglect, or extreme vulnerability with safe housing, education, comprehensive health support, parenting guidance, and life skills development. Located in the Nicoya Peninsula, one of the regions with the biggest gaps in access to services in Costa Rica, Casa CreSer seeks to create a nurturing environment where these families can heal, grow, and build a path toward autonomy.

Founded in 2021, formerly Casa Sonja, the organization is developing a specialized residential program with capacity to serve up to 32 mothers and children, with plans for future expansion. Its model integrates trauma-informed care, education, early childhood development, and life skills training, addressing the needs of both mother and child together while helping break cycles of violence, poverty, and exclusion within a natural environment that supports their overall well-being and development.

Currently, Casa CreSer is focused on finalizing its institutional strengthening and formal accreditation process, working closely with PANI (Costa Rica’s National Child Welfare Agency), to ensure that all operations meet the highest standards of care, safety, and quality before welcoming beneficiaries.

Why It Matters

In Costa Rica’s Pacific regions:

• High rates of adolescent pregnancy and gender-based violence persist

• Many young women face poverty, school dropout, and lack of support networks

• Access to specialized protection services is limited due to geographic isolation

Without specialized support, both mothers and their children remain at high risk. Casa CreSer is working to become a trusted and accredited space capable of responding to this urgent regional need.