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Casa Do Refugio: A Tranquil Retreat in the Heart of Portugal

Casa Do Refugio is a lodge located in Covilha, Portugal, that offers a welcoming environment for its guests. The lodge is situated on Rua do Grupo Recreativo Refugiense, and it provides a comfortable and relaxing stay for anyone who visits.

Casa Do Refugio was founded with the goal of providing a safe and comfortable place for people to stay while they are away from home. The lodge is open to everyone, regardless of their background or nationality. It is a place where people can come to relax, unwind, and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.

Key Takeaways

Casa Do Refugio is a welcoming lodge located in Covilha, Portugal.
The lodge was founded with the goal of providing a safe and comfortable place for people to stay.
Casa Do Refugio is open to everyone, regardless of their background or nationality.

History and Founding

Casa Do Refugio, located in El Paso, Texas, was founded in the early 1980s by Ruben Garcia, who also founded Annunciation House, another shelter for migrants. The Casa Do Refugio was initially established as a shelter for homeless men and women in the El Paso area. However, in the early 2000s, the Casa Do Refugio shifted its focus to provide temporary housing for migrants and refugees.

Ruben Garcia, a social worker, founded Annunciation House in 1978 to provide shelter for migrants and refugees. Annunciation House has since provided temporary housing for thousands of migrants and refugees in the El Paso area. Garcia founded Casa Do Refugio to expand the services provided by Annunciation House and to meet the growing need for temporary housing for migrants and refugees.

Casa Do Refugio is a non-profit organization that provides temporary housing, food, and clothing to migrants and refugees who are seeking asylum in the United States. The organization has a team of volunteers who work tirelessly to ensure that the migrants and refugees are well taken care of during their stay at the shelter.

The Casa Do Refugio has faced its fair share of challenges over the years, including funding shortages and changes in immigration policies. However, the organization has remained committed to its mission of providing temporary housing and support to migrants and refugees in need.

Location and Contact

Casa Do Refugio is located in Covilhã, Portugal, and is easily accessible by car or public transportation. The address of Casa Do Refugio is Rua do Grupo Recreativo Refugiense, no 27, 6200-328 Covilhã, Portugal.

For those traveling by car, there is free private parking available on site. The nearest train station, Covilhã Station, is just a 10-minute drive away from the property. Additionally, the Serra da Estrela Natural Park is just 10 km away from Casa Do Refugio.

If you have any questions or concerns about your stay at Casa Do Refugio, the staff is available to assist you. You can contact them by phone at +351 933 205 520 or by email at casadorefugio.covilha@gmail.com. They are knowledgeable and helpful and can provide you with information about the property, the surrounding area, and nearby attractions.

While Casa Do Refugio is located in Portugal, it is important to note that it is not related to the recent news of a new migrant shelter, Casa del Refugiado, opening in El Paso, Texas. Casa Do Refugio is a vacation rental property and does not offer temporary housing for migrants.

Services and Facilities

Accommodation

Casa Do Refugio offers comfortable and spacious accommodation in studios and apartments. All units are equipped with essential amenities to ensure a pleasant stay. Guests can choose from a variety of accommodation options based on their preferences and requirements.

The property provides en suite private bathrooms, private toilets, cable/satellite TV, and a microwave. Coffee/tea makers are also available in the rooms. The rooms are clean, well-maintained, and spacious. The property offers family rooms as well, making it an ideal choice for families.

Communication Services

Casa Do Refugio offers free Wi-Fi throughout the property, allowing guests to stay connected with their loved ones. The property also provides a telephone service for guests who need to make local or international calls.

Other Services and Facilities

Apart from accommodation and communication services, Casa Do Refugio offers a range of other services and facilities to make the guests' stay comfortable and enjoyable. Some of the facilities provided include:

Garden: The property features a beautiful garden where guests can relax and unwind.
Free Parking: The property provides free parking facilities to guests who have their own vehicles.
Safety and Sanitation Measures: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the property has implemented additional safety and sanitation measures to ensure the safety of guests and staff.
Staff: The staff at Casa Do Refugio are friendly, knowledgeable, and always ready to assist guests with any queries or requests.

Overall, Casa Do Refugio is an excellent choice for guests looking for comfortable and affordable accommodation in Covilhã. With its range of services and facilities, the property offers a pleasant and memorable experience to all its guests.

Role During the Pandemic

Casa del Refugiado, El Paso's largest migrant shelter, has been facing challenges during the pandemic. The shelter has been struggling to recruit volunteers, and the city and county of El Paso have been reluctant to take a bigger role in strengthening the shelter network.

Despite these challenges, Casa del Refugiado has been providing essential services to asylum seekers and refugees during the pandemic. The shelter has been following the guidelines set by the Office of Emergency Management to ensure the safety of its residents and staff. This includes regular cleaning and disinfection of the facility, providing personal protective equipment, and implementing social distancing measures.

Title 42, a public health order issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has also impacted the shelter's role during the pandemic. The order allows the U.S. government to expel asylum seekers and migrants without due process, citing public health concerns. Casa del Refugiado has been advocating against this policy, which has put vulnerable individuals at risk of harm and violates their human rights.

In addition to providing basic needs such as food, shelter, and medical care, Casa del Refugiado has been supporting the mental health of its residents during the pandemic. The shelter has been providing counseling services and activities to promote well-being and resilience.

Overall, Casa del Refugiado has been playing a crucial role in providing essential services to asylum seekers and refugees during the pandemic, despite facing challenges such as volunteer shortages and government policies that impact their work.

Guests and Refugees

Casa del Refugiado is a migrant shelter located in El Paso, Texas, that has hosted thousands of guests and refugees since its opening in April 2023. Most of the guests are families who have crossed the border illegally and have been detained for a few days by the US Customs and Border Patrol. They are released on parole with papers that allow them to travel to their relatives and friends. The shelter provides a safe space for them to rest, shower, eat, and receive medical attention before continuing their journey.

The shelter has a capacity of 500 beds and is staffed by volunteers who provide assistance to guests and refugees. The shelter is open 24/7, and guests are welcome to stay for up to 72 hours. The shelter also offers legal assistance to asylum seekers who wish to apply for asylum in the United States.

The staff at Casa del Refugiado is committed to providing a welcoming and safe environment for guests and refugees. They understand that many of the guests have experienced trauma and are in need of support and care. The shelter provides counseling services and other resources to help guests and refugees cope with their experiences.

In the past eight months, Casa del Refugiado has hosted roughly 25,000 refugees lawfully released by US border agencies. The shelter also provides temporary housing for asylum seekers who would otherwise be dumped by federal authorities in San Diego. The shelter is an essential resource for refugees and asylum seekers who are seeking safety and protection in the United States.

Volunteer Involvement

Volunteers play a crucial role in the Casa del Refugiado, helping to provide support and assistance to refugees seeking asylum in the United States. Volunteering at the shelter can be a rewarding and meaningful experience for those looking to make a positive impact in their community.

There are a variety of ways that volunteers can get involved with the Casa del Refugiado. Some of the opportunities available include:

Direct Service Volunteers: These volunteers work directly with refugees, providing support and assistance with a variety of tasks such as transportation, translation, and childcare.
Administrative Volunteers: Administrative volunteers assist with tasks such as data entry, filing, and answering phones. These volunteers help to ensure that the shelter is running smoothly and efficiently.
Fundraising Volunteers: Fundraising volunteers help to raise funds and awareness for the Casa del Refugiado. This may include organizing events, soliciting donations, and reaching out to potential donors.
Community Outreach Volunteers: Community outreach volunteers help to educate the public about the issues facing refugees and asylum seekers. This may include speaking at events, organizing informational sessions, and engaging with local media.

Volunteers at the Casa del Refugiado are required to undergo a background check and complete a training program before beginning their work. The training program covers a variety of topics, including cultural competency, trauma-informed care, and the legal aspects of asylum seeking.

Overall, volunteering at the Casa del Refugiado can be a meaningful and rewarding experience for those looking to make a positive impact in their community. If you are interested in getting involved, visit the Casa del Refugiado website for more information.

Public Response and Media Presence

The Casa del Refugiado shelter has been in the spotlight recently due to the increased number of migrants seeking refuge there. The public response to the shelter has been mixed, with some expressing support for the shelter's work, while others have raised concerns about the impact of the shelter on the local community.

One of the main criticisms of the shelter has been the lack of transparency around its operations, with some members of the public expressing frustration at the limited information available about the number of migrants being housed there and the conditions inside the shelter. This lack of transparency has also been a concern for some media outlets, who have been denied access to the shelter.

Despite these concerns, there have been several instances of media coverage of the Casa del Refugiado shelter in recent months. In March 2023, for example, CNN reporter Jeff Zeleny pressed White House press secretary Jen Psaki over media access being granted to an "aspirational" migrant detention facility, rather than "problem" facilities. The following month, the White House allowed press into an HHS immigration facility, but not one run by Border Patrol.

Social media has also played a role in shaping public perception of the Casa del Refugiado shelter. Some Twitter users have expressed support for the shelter's work, with some sharing stories of their own experiences seeking refuge in the United States. Others have criticized the shelter, with some arguing that it is contributing to an influx of migrants at the border.

Overall, the Casa del Refugiado shelter has been the subject of significant public and media attention in recent months. While there have been concerns raised about the shelter's operations and impact on the local community, there have also been instances of support and recognition for the important work being done there.

Language Services

Casa de Refugio offers language services to its visitors. The congregation is primarily Spanish-speaking, and all services are conducted in Spanish. English-speaking visitors are welcome, and there are some English-speaking members of the congregation who can assist with translation if needed.

In addition to providing services in Spanish, Casa de Refugio also provides Spanish-language resources to the community. The Second Reformed Church, which has a partnership with Casa de Refugio, offers and distributes Spanish Bibles and other Christian literature, tracts, etc. to Hispanic people in the community.

For non-Spanish speakers who are interested in attending services at Casa de Refugio, there are a number of resources available to help with translation. The church has a number of bilingual members who can assist with translation, and there are also translation apps and services available for those who prefer to use technology to help with translation.

Overall, Casa de Refugio is committed to providing language services that are accessible and welcoming to all members of the community. Whether you are a Spanish speaker or an English speaker, you are welcome to attend services at Casa de Refugio and participate in the community.

Official Website

Casa Do Refugio has an official website that provides information about the organization and its services. The website is a great resource for those who want to learn more about the organization, its mission, and how to get involved.

The website features a clean and easy-to-use design, with a simple navigation menu that makes it easy to find the information you need. The homepage provides an overview of the organization and its services, along with links to more detailed information about each of its programs.

One of the most useful features of the website is the "Get Involved" section, which provides information on how to volunteer, donate, and support the organization. The website also features a blog, which is regularly updated with news and events related to the organization.

Overall, the Casa Do Refugio website is a valuable resource for anyone interested in learning more about the organization and its services. Whether you are looking to volunteer, donate, or simply learn more about the organization, the website provides all the information you need in a clear and concise manner.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the history of Casa Do Refugio?

Casa Do Refugio is a lodge located in Covilha, Portugal. The lodge is situated in a building that dates back to the 16th century and was originally built as a shelter for the poor. Today, Casa Do Refugio offers a unique experience for travelers, combining the historic architecture with modern amenities.

What are the amenities offered at Casa Do Refugio?

Casa Do Refugio offers a variety of amenities to make your stay comfortable and enjoyable. Each room is equipped with a private bathroom, air conditioning, and free Wi-Fi. The lodge also offers a shared lounge area, a garden, and a terrace. Guests can enjoy a continental breakfast each morning.

How do I make a reservation at Casa Do Refugio?

To make a reservation at Casa Do Refugio, you can visit their website or contact them directly through email or phone. Reservations can also be made through third-party booking websites.

What is the cancellation policy at Casa Do Refugio?

Casa Do Refugio has a flexible cancellation policy. Guests can cancel their reservation free of charge up to a certain number of days before their scheduled arrival. After that time, a cancellation fee may apply.

Are pets allowed at Casa Do Refugio?

Unfortunately, pets are not allowed at Casa Do Refugio.

What is the check-in and check-out time at Casa Do Refugio?

Check-in at Casa Do Refugio is from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM, and check-out is from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Guests can request early check-in or late check-out, but it is subject to availability and may incur an additional fee.