May 2019 In This Issue:   A Note from our Executive Director Mission Moment Race Across the West Gala Recap and Honoree Spotlight Volunteer Thank You In Memorial - Mark Scioneaux Ways to Help

Greetings! As with many of you, it's been a busy couple of months at Casa de Esperanza! Spring means change and growth, and there has been a lot of it here. As always happens at this time of year, we prepare to say farewell to the Hands of Hope interns who have become like family to us over the last 12 months and welcome 21 new interns in June! It's always bittersweet to say good-bye to our interns, but we know from past experience that we will see many of them again and that they leave here having grown in ways too numerous to count. Emilee graciously shared a moving reflection on her year as a Hands of Hope Intern that I know you'll enjoy reading. Hands of Hope interns do the essential work in our neighborhood, caring for and loving the children that come to Casa de Esperanza in need of a safe place to live while their birth parents work on improving their situations. Our volunteer foster families do the same work out in the community. Shanna and Josh Beames are just one of the families that have opened their hearts and their homes to children that need them. I hope you'll read their moving story and consider finding out more about how you can become a volunteer foster family. Last month was National Child Abuse Prevention Month, and you generously answered the call to support the efforts of Casa de Esperanza to end the cycle of child abuse and neglect. Your gifts of more than $8,300 will help ensure that we are able to provide a safe place for children and help for birth parents struggling to improve the lives of their families. Thank you! We also said a very sad good-bye to Mark Scioneaux, a dear friend to Casa de Esperanza who made many lasting contributions to our neighborhood through his artistry and interactions with our children, interns and staff. We will miss him dearly and have shared a remembrance later in this newsletter. And finally, our annual Building Hope for Children Gala, held on May 5, was a success, raising $1 million for the work of Casa de Esperanza. It took many hands and the generosity of our community to make this happen and we are truly grateful. Thank you for the many ways you support the work of Casa de Esperanza and the children and families that look to us for help and hope. Shelley Starr Executive Director

Mission Moment

When Emily was born - weighing only 3 pounds - to a drug-addicted mother, Casa de Esperanza was called to the hospital. Emily's heart stopped four times and she was resuscitated. When it stopped the fifth time, the doctors asked if they should resuscitate again. You can find out more about Emily by watching her tell her amazing, heartwarming story here.

Race Across The West Few cyclists will successfully push themselves to complete a 1,000 mile bike ride across the western United States. Casa de Esperanza supporter, friend, and ultra-cyclist Kirk Gentle plans to do just that starting June 11, and his ride is for the... Read more www.casahope.org

Building Hope for Children Gala Raises $1 Million! Over 600 festive guests gathered May 5 at The Hobby Center dressed in their fun "fiesta casual" attire and enjoyed music with a Latin flair by Moodafuruka, a brightly themed photo booth, and a fun silent and live auction. Read more www.casahope.org

Gala Honoree Spotlight Spirit of Hope Award Marsha and Sam Dodson

Marsha and Sam Dodson have been involved with Casa de Esperanza for almost 35 years. Marsha was the first Junior League of Houston representative on the Casa de Esperanza Governing Board and has been a wonderful example for the other Junior League members that have followed her on the Governing Board. Sam has shared his expertise in finance by serving on the Casa de Esperanza Foundation Board. Both Marsha and Sam have helped Casa provide services to our children and families. Through their support and leadership, Casa de Esperanza has been able to grow and continue to be a place of home and safety for generations of children. Marsha and Sam are an incredible example of the spirit that makes Casa de Esperanza the organization that it is today. It is with heartfelt gratitude that we honored them with the Spirit of Hope Award.

Thank You to Our April Group Volunteers!

Thank you to the following groups for coming to Casa de Esperanza and interacting with our children. They enjoyed each visit and always look forward to seeing you again. The time you spend laughing, teaching and playing with them makes each of their days brighter. m Strategic Partners HBSA (Hispanic Business Student Association) - University of Houston Greater Houston Builders Association Baylor College of Medicine Spindletop Emerging Leaders Casa de Esperanza Young Professionals Group Tellurian Inc. NOV Completion & Production Solutions Catholic Daughters of Sugar Land McGovern Medical School National Charity League - Memorial Chapter Cavatore Palazzos

In Memorial Mark Scioneaux

I t is with heavy hearts that we said goodbye last month to Mark Scioneaux, a long-time, dear friend of Casa de Esperanza. For many years, Mark touched our lives with his smiles, patience and creativity. He was a landscape architect and above all, an artist with nature! His love for nature and for the mission of Casa de Esperanza were evident in the many contributions he made, starting during the early design phase of our residential neighborhood. He continued to select flowers for each season at Casa de Esperanza and then placed the flowers to be ready for planting by our volunteer groups. He occasionally sent staff to carefully groom the neighborhood. He loved watching the children enjoying their time on the playground and in the meadow. Mark encouraged others in the landscape community to assist us with projects on a pro bono basis. Our thoughts and prayers are with Mark’s husband, Stanton Welch and the Scioneaux family. We sincerely appreciate that memorial gifts were directed to Casa de Esperanza. The outpouring of love and generosity in Mark’s memory was truly heartwarming. Mark will remain in our hearts.

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