Founded in 1976 in Santa Ana, Casa Teresa was envisioned as a home for pregnant women, over the age of 18, who were alone and had no support. At the time, there were very few resources or shelters specifically for single, pregnant women, and founders Neill and Sally Sullivan launched Casa Teresa as a four-unit building and cottage to meet the need. After nearly a decade in Santa Ana, Casa Teresa moved to its current site in Orange in 1985, where its Old Towne location ensured access to nearby stores, public transportation, and healthcare for residents.
In 2020, Casa Teresa moved to a virtual format for their annual gala, and Whisky Inc took the lead in helping bring the concept “From Our Home to Yours” to life. Working with Orange County-based Cocktail Concierge, we developed a cocktail class that brought folks together and helped raise funds for this important charity. We filmed all the elements, developed a graphics package, and prepared everything for a live broadcast. In the end, Casa Teresa was able to exceed their funding goals during a time where funraising was a challenge.
Besides accessibility, Casa Teresa has ensured that the needs of pregnant women are met by adding new programs and services. In 1995 we established Hannah’s House to address the needs of women interested in placing their baby with an adoptive family. In 2001, we opened the communal-style Transformation I (T1) Program to serve residents who would benefit from a longer stay with Casa Teresa, and the independent apartment building housing the Transformation II (T2) Program soon followed in 2006.
In 2013, we launched the Emergency Maternity Shelter (EMS), catering specifically to women struggling with chronic homelessness, substance abuse, and other intensive issues. Also located on our main campus, is home for our Alumni Resource Center, which provides educational classes, case management, and other supportive services for graduates from our programs.
