Fall 2020 E-newsletter
New Partnership with the University of New Haven

Casa de Esperanza is proud to announce that R. Lillianne Macias, Ph.D. of the University of New Haven is the National Latin@ Network’s next director of research and evaluation. In building her new role, Dr. Macias forged an innovative partnership between Casa de Esperanza and the University of New Haven. We are now working together to grow the knowledge base, build the next generation of researchers, and ultimately advance the movement to end gender-based violence within Latin@ communities.

Dr. Macias is a long-time friend of the organization, having helped disseminate research and create the Building Evidence toolkit. She’s specialized in conducting culturally-responsive research and evaluation into domestic violence in the Latin@ communities since 2007, earning her doctorate from Georgia State University and completing a fellowship at Yale University School of Medicine before becoming an assistant professor at New Haven.

“It is a privilege to have the opportunity to work with an amazing team of researchers and students at the leading Latin@ gender-based violence organization in the country,” said Dr. Macias. “The partnership between the University of New Haven and Casa de Esperanza’s National Latin@ Network for Healthy Families and Communities will support the next generation of culturally-responsive advocates, allies, and researchers working to eliminate gender-based violence.”

Read more about Dr. Macias, our work together, and NLN’s new partnership with the University of New Haven.
Deepening Our Leadership

Casa de Esperanza also added two new faces to our leadership team: Annika Gifford as Program Strategy and Fund Development Advisor and Cristina Escobar as Director of Communications and Marketing.
Annika Gifford has worked to end gender-based violence internationally and in the US for over twenty years including stints at Casa de Esperanza partner organizations Break the Cycle and the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence. Annika is a strategic thinker, solutions-finder, and bridge-builder who is passionate about social and systems transformation. Learn more about Annika including what inspires her!
Fellow Break the Cycle alum, Cristina Escobar likewise has a long commitment to ending gender-based violence and serving Latin@ communities. A writer and activist, she co-founded latinamedia.co which uplifts Latinx voices in media, oversaw the Spanish translation of loveisrespect.org, and helped build the #AskHerMore campaign from an op-ed to a global movement. Learn more about Cristina including her favorite food and book.
End of Year Program Highlights
End of Year Giving Opportunities

As this year sunsets, we wish you and your loved one’s warmth, peace, and joy. Help us continue to serve survivors and our communities with dignity and care. Here’s how you can affirm our vision that all families deserve to thrive in a world free of violence:


  • Shop til you drop and make an impact while you shop on Amazon. Simply shop at smile.amazon.com/ch/41-1414710 and AmazonSmile will donate to Casa de Esperanza, at no cost to you.

  • Help make the holidays brighter for families working with our advocates and donate gift cards! Gas and grocery store gift cards in denominations of $25-50 would make a big difference for our Family Advocacy and Community Engagement participants, including their children!

*Please contact our administrative office at 651-646-5553 or by email at info@casadeesperanza.org for information on how to donate gift cards.
A Thank You from Us
We are grateful for the support from our federal, state, corporate, and philanthropic partners, as well as individual donors. Thank you for believing in our mission and ensuring we can continue to serve our community during this challenging year. Special appreciation to our recent funders:

  • 3M Foundation
  • Collective Futures Fund
  • Aditi Foundation
  • Otto Bremer Foundation
  • Allstate Foundation
  • The Nash Foundation
  • Greater Twin Cities United Way
  • Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Office of Justice Programs
  • United States Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women
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