Casa de Malta is a program that provides weekly breakfast and lunch, a basket with basic foods, training in skills, health service, and which also provides teachings on the Christian faith.
The work supports approximately 120 women and men from low-income families, mostly immigrants who live in “Little Havana,” nearby the Parish of San Juan Bosco, which is also one of the poorest areas in the City of Miami. Many of the residents in the area are unemployed and some lack in basic education. Both beneficiaries and volunteers experience spiritual growth, sharing hours of joys and sorrows, work, study, and experiences of the teachings of the Gospel.
On Thursdays our workshops include English-language skills on two levels. Also, these include manual skills development, crafts, and the teaching of Christian values. We teach these skills so that individuals can use them for better integration in their everyday lives.
We offer a hot and healthy lunch that includes a serving of protein; one or two side dishes; salad; dessert and a drink. Last year, we delivered more than 2,000 lunches and breakfasts, and the same number of baskets of food products. The food baskets have included: beans, rice, sugar, oil and vinegar, marmalade, canned food, pasta, coffee, canned milk, bread, cookies, and frozen food. Also, we have provided items such as household goods, clothing, and cleaning products.
On Tuesday morning, along with breakfast, a basic health service is offered with nurses of FIU University or pro-bono doctors, giving them basic examinations such as general history, temperature, blood pressure, pulse, breathing difficulties, and glycemic. If a patient should be referred to a medical facility because of his/her health condition, she/he is sent to San Juan Bosco Clinic, located a few miles away. We complement breakfast and health services with health lectures, about disease prevention, vaccines, and nutrition, in coordination with the Saint John Bosco Clinic of Corpus Christi and the EFNEP program of UF, delivering at last a personal hygiene products bag to each participant.
Each session is manned by about 12-16 volunteers. A greater number of volunteers, adults and young students, participate in Special Events: Mother’s Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas celebrations, when we organize a special day with, of course, meals, but also with music and special gifts.
Casa de Malta is open every Thursday from 10:30 AM to 1:00 PM.
We also open every other Tuesday from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
Order of Malta
Cuban Association
2655 S. Lejeune Road
Suite 918
Coral Gables, FL 33134
Phone: (786) 888-6494/6496
