Casita
Casita is a charming house owned by the CWC and it has transformed into a second home for many Caltech and JPL families. It's a place where parents can connect, build friendship and share about the difficulties in parenthood.
Casita hosts weekly play dates, offers a great toy collection, and it is a place where parents can exchange kids clothes and gear.
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Open to CISC members, who are also required to become CWC members, as the Casita is owned by the CWC. For more information please see below or send an email.
Casita Exchange:
Services & Activities
Playdates
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The Parent & Friends Playdates are the perfect opportunity to meet other parents and kids. These playdates are often held at the Casita, and depending on the season, we also meet up at Grant or Tournament Park. Be sure to join our newsletter and WhatsApp group for the latest updates!
Whatsapp Group
We have a WhatsApp group where we share playdates and times, exchange information and support, buy, sell, and donate items, and stay connected. To join, just text Tjolina or Trang, and we’ll add you to the group! If you don't have their number, just reach out to us by sending an email to casita.cwc@gmail.com
Clothes Exchange
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Tired of buying new clothes every season? Prefer second-hand options? We have a shed full of clothes for newborns to 7T, plus maternity wear, all available for borrowing! Help yourself anytime—it's open 24/7. Just ask for the lock code to access.
Occasional Events
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Once in a while we host one-time events like an unwrap & assemble play date, Game's Night (parents night out), Huntington Garden Stroll, and more. If YOU want to host a play date or an event, please contact us and we'll make it happen!
Toys & Gear Exchange
Whether it’s books, puzzles, dollhouses, push toys, baby gear, carriers, or travel baby beds—you name it, you can borrow it from the Casita! It’s the perfect way to try out toys before buying them or to borrow items for trips. You can stop by anytime during playdate hours or by request.
Donations
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The Casita is a great place to receive and give donations! See below on how to donate.
Donations
The Casita is happy to accept maternity & kid related items (clothes from NB–7T, books, toys, furniture, etc.) your children no longer use but that could bring joy to another child. Those items should be in good condition, complete, clean and not broken.
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Where to donate
Clothes should be deposited directly into the clothes shed at the Casita (immediately on the left side, lockcode upon request). We kindly ask you to place your clothes donations in the correct bins, allowing all parents to benefit from borrowing items from the Casita.
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​When to donate
Please bring bulky donations during our opening hours or upon request. Toys and other gear can be placed in the other shed at your convenience (lockcode: upon request).
How to donate
Opened items whose purpose is not immediately obvious should be labeled, so parents know what they are. It is always a good idea to also send a picture in our WhatsApp group so that others know what new items are available and volunteers can keep up to date with the new donations.
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🚫 We do not accept items
Unrelated to children or maternity, such as electronics, household goods, or other miscellaneous items.
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