It is difficult to believe that it has now been an entire year since "COVID-19" and "pandemic" became a part of our every day vocabularies. We have all had to make adjustments to the way we go about our daily lives, and it is not lost on us that so many of our loved ones and neighbors have faced unimaginable pain, suffering and uncertainty.

Yet, thanks to the generosity of so many in our community, Casa de Esperanza was able to adjust its services and continue to provide safety for children at risk of neglect and abuse, case management for their parents, and Aftercare and Outreach services to families facing hunger, unemployment and homelessness. Thank you for giving HOPE to those who need it most.

Now, we all look with anticipation to a brighter future that includes a return to a more "normal" daily life. For Casa de Esperanza, that means a gradual return to welcoming volunteers and visitors to our neighborhood and a return to the office for staff who have worked remotely since last March. Stay tuned for more information on these as they occur. In the meantime, I hope you'll consider supporting the 2021 Building Hope for Children Gala, which honors 3 of Casa's very own healthcare heroes and Volunteer of the Year. You can find out more about how to participate in this exciting virtual event below.

We also extend a sincere "thank you" to our outgoing Governing Board President, Tom McGee, and Casa de Esperanza Foundation Chair Mike Espinosa. Each has shown many years of dedication to their roles and to the work of Casa de Esperanza, and have laid the groundwork for continued, successful leadership. We welcome our new Governing Board President Ben Brown and Foundation Chair Dan Molinaro, and look forward to working with them to fulfill the Casa de Esperanza mission.