John Carrico
This homey, ramshackle house on Gunter street, Casa Marianella, is the warm and familylike shelter for homeless Central American men. Stop by for free Spanish Conversation hours with the residents, sign up to teach a little ESL (no experience necessary), or cook a big pot of beans on the Volunteer Dinner night. This is the "soft spot" on what is often a long, hard road. Posada Esperanza, a mile east, is a transitional house - complete with chicken coop and swing-set - for the moms and kids who come along, or make the journey by themselves.
