ORLANDO, Fla. – A new peer respite center in Orlando is open and accepting guests overnight for free.
The center is called Eva’s Casita. It’s a non-clinical space to take a break with the support of those who’ve also experienced mental health challenges.
This is a program birthed from Peer Support Space.
The program is named in honor of the organization’s founding board president, Eva Fajardo, who passed away this year before the center officially opened.
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“Eva was who we hired to be our therapist for therapists, so she was who gave counseling to the helpers after the Pulse tragedy,” said peer respite center staff member Yasmin Flasterstein.
Flasterstein is one of the 24/7 peer support specialists at the center.
She said 100% of the staff at the center are a part of the LGBTQ+ community or people of color.
“It was created for and by the community, so no one understands the cultural nuances and needs of the community like the community itself,” Flasterstein said. “Our hope is that people come here, and they feel seen.
The center provides diverse options for guests to decompress, like games, coloring books, origami, yoga, journals, and much more.
There are three themed bedrooms, each with a welcome book and curated baskets for incoming guests, that include color-coded bracelets.
“We have non-verbal communication bracelets so depending on the color someone’s wearing it lets us know if they [want to] hang out solo, if they want to socialize or they want to share space or not socialize,” Flasterstein said.
In the kitchen, there is an accessible table, microwave, and sink that Flasterstein said sends a signal to guests that they can be themselves.
Michelle Sanders stayed at the center for the first time last month.
“Before I came here, I’m just thinking gosh I don’t know if I can do It this summer, I’m so tired, I’m so stressed out I’m so just exhausted [and] depleted,” Sanders said.
Sanders works full-time and goes to school.
With the stress of everyday life weighing on her, she just needed a break.
“Built up over time over weeks over months over years it wears you down,” Sanders said.
Sanders said after staying overnight for two days she felt rejuvenated, she believes this place is unique.
“Where can you go for intentional interaction that feels healthy safe and respectful, sometimes that feels really limited like there aren’t really a lot of opportunities for that,” Sanders said.
Peer supporters are individuals trained to consensually hold space for others without fixing, analyzing or diagnosing.
All activities at the center are voluntary. There will be scheduled and ongoing activities available. This includes check-in groups, art, cooking, gardening, resume building, music and reading.
This is a good fit for anyone 18 and older who is open to upholding the guest agreement for an overnight stay.
The center staff members are not there to act as supervision and guests staying must have a place to go after their stay.
If you are interested in signing up, click here for more information.
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