Casa Teresa plans 50th anniversary gala in Irvine

Casa Teresa will mark 50 years of serving pregnant women in crisis with a gala on Oct. 24 at the Hyatt Regency Irvine. The Orange County nonprofit is aiming to raise $250,000 to support residential programs and wraparound services for women and their children.

Why it matters: - Casa Teresa’s anniversary fundraiser is tied directly to programs that help pregnant women in crisis move toward stable housing, healing and independence. - The nonprofit is trying to raise $250,000 to sustain residential care, case management and support services for women and babies. - Casa Teresa said its recent annual report showed continued demand, including service to 157 women, children and babies, plus support for 208 alumnae.

What happened: - Casa Teresa will host its 50th Anniversary Gala on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency Irvine in Irvine, California. - The event will celebrate the organization’s 50 years of service and honor mothers, volunteers, staff, donors and community partners. - Tickets and tables are available through Oct. 5 at Casa Teresa’s gala page. - Sponsorship and underwriting opportunities remain open. - The deadline for printed sponsorship recognition is Oct. 1. - Sponsorship information is available by contacting Kiana Robles at (714) 538-4860, ext. 110, or through the gala website at the gala website.

The details: - Casa Teresa was founded in 1976 by Neill and Sally Sullivan. - The nonprofit started in an eight-unit building and cottage for pregnant women who were alone and without support. - Casa Teresa later moved to its current Orange location and expanded its services as needs changed. - The organization now offers five residential programs. - Services include shelter, basic necessities, individualized case management, education, parenting and life-skills classes, career development and therapeutic support. - Casa Teresa said those services are designed to help women heal, break cycles of homelessness and addiction, and become self-reliant. - The gala is Casa Teresa’s largest annual fundraising event. - Proceeds will support residential programs and wraparound services for women and their children.

Between the lines: - The gala is both a celebration and a fundraising test for a nonprofit that relies on donor support to keep its housing and support model running. - Casa Teresa is framing the anniversary around continuity, using its history to reinforce the case that long-term, community-backed services still matter. - Lisa Wood, Casa Teresa’s chief executive officer, said the anniversary honors women who found safety and hope through the organization and the community that supports them.

What's next: - Casa Teresa will use the Oct. 24 gala to secure funding for the next phase of its residential and support programs. - Donations and sponsorships collected around the event will help maintain services for vulnerable women and babies over the coming year. - The nonprofit said the celebration is intended to help ensure its programs remain available for the next 50 years.

The bottom line: - Casa Teresa is marking a major milestone while asking donors to help fund the services that define its mission.