November 2021 Issue:
A Note from our CEO
Mission Moment
Triple the Hope
Cards for a Cause
Hands of Hope Highlight
Thank You to Our Group Volunteers
Events
Top Needs & Ways to Help
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Thanksgiving is upon us, and at Casa de Esperanza we have much to be thankful for! While 2021 continues to be marked by the challenges of the pandemic, there are signs that we are slowly returning to normal.
This month saw the return of two important events: m Strategic Partners' Cars and Clays and the 11th Annual Chili Cook-Off hosted by Casa de Esperanza's Young Professionals. It felt wonderful to be back together in person to raise vital funds and awareness for Casa de Esperanza's mission. We are incredibly grateful to m Strategic Partners, the Chili Cook-Off Host Committee and the countless volunteers, attendees, and donors that made both events a success!
We are thankful to each of you. Your partnership with us, through the past year and beyond, has helped change the lives of children at risk of abuse and neglect and parents who need guidance and help to build stronger families. I hope you enjoy reading the story of Nyla, Nathan and their family below. Because of generous donors like you, this family found hope and help through some of their most challenging days. When you give to our annual Triple the Hope campaign, you help families like theirs find their own success stories. Thanks to a generous, anonymous donor, every gift given to this campaign will be matched 2:1! We appreciate your support!
Wishing you and your families a very Happy Thanksgiving and holiday season.
Sincerely,
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Melissa L. Simon, MSW, CFRE
Chief Executive Officer
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Mission Moment: Nyla and Nathan |
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When Brianna and Jordan realized they could no longer care for their two children or keep them safe, they turned to Casa de Esperanza and voluntarily placed Nyla (one year old) and Nathan (three years old) in our care. Brianna and Jordan both struggled with drug addiction and mental illness. With the help of their Casa caseworkers, they developed a Plan of Service that would help them reach their goal of family reunification and permanency. Meanwhile, Nyla and Nathan thrived in the Casa de Esperanza neighborhood. Nathan went from shy nervous toddler to social butterfly on the playground. Nyla was diagnosed with developmental delays and received the therapy she needed to begin walking and talking. Both children loved easily and were easily loved by everyone in the home, adults and other children alike. After six months, Brianna and Jordan were still struggling, and it was decided that the children would live with Jordan’s parents, Marion and James.
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Being able to provide for one's family shouldn't be anyone's struggle. But for many, Like Marion and James in the story above, it is. For them, Casa de Esperanza provides hope, and our caseworkers are the change families need. And for us, you make this all possible.
We, too, have changed over the last 39 years, transforming from a single home for children in crisis to a comprehensive program that serves the entire family. Change creates innovation, and we invite you to be the change for everyone in our Casa de Esperanza family.
When you give to Casa de Esperanza, you invest in a safe community. Your partnership supports the ONLY agency in the Greater Houston Area providing emergency and voluntary residential foster care for children birth to age 6 and case management services for the parents, all at no charge to the family. And, you join 100% of the Casa staff and board members who have contributed to this effort.
And RIGHT NOW, your gift will be tripled by a generous donation. For every $1 you give, Casa de Esperanza will receive an additional $2, further extending your contribution.
Casa is a lifeline for hundreds of children like Nyla and Nathan. Thank you for being ours.
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'Tis the season to send out adorable greeting cards and showcase your support to Casa de Esperanza to all of your friends and family! This year’s top three new designs were created and designed by children affiliated with Casa and voted on as your favorites in our first ever Holiday Card Design Contest!
For a minimum $20 donation, snag a pack of your favorite designs* (10 cards, blank inside) and envelopes for you to self-mail. Cards will be available for online order until Wednesday, December 8th at noon in order to ship them to you before Christmas. After December 8th, cards will be available in-person only at Casa de Esperanza's front office during normal business hours.
*while supplies last - click on the link for all available designs*
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Meet Ocran, a University of Notre Game graduate from Las Cruces, New Mexico!
What is one thing we can’t tell just by looking at you?
Something you can’t tell just by looking at me is that I have a passion for social justice, especially in the realm of healthcare and medicine.
Why did you decide to come to Casa de Esperanza?
As an aspiring pediatrician, I came to Casa de Esperanza to broaden my experience with toddlers and infants outside the pediatric clinics I shadowed as a student. I hope to grow throughout my time at Casa and with my relationships with all my kids to better serve the communities of children in my future.
Share a favorite memory.
My favorite moments that I love with a toddler I cared for is all of our dance parties. I would put him on my hip and either hum a tune– which I originally did haphazardly, but that random tune soon became the only one I was allowed to hum in all future dance parties. It quickly became old to everyone but the toddler– or I would put on some Selena for some good Spanish tunes!
What is one thing you have learned since arriving at Casa de Esperanza?
At Casa I have learned that every kid is going to teach you something new every day. Be it patience from one or a new Paw Patrol song from another!
What is one piece of advice, guidance, or recommendation for someone who is considering the Hands of Hope Service Year?
For anyone considering Hands of Hope all I can say is that it will be what you make of it. This goes to the relationships with your fellow House Parents, your children, and the rest of the staff in the neighborhood. Every opportunity to make meaningful connections will be there and you just have to have to take it.
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Thank You to Our October Group Volunteers |
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A big thanks to all of our groups who purchased items from our Amazon Wish List, helped stock the pantry, donated a meal, or provided other support in October! |
Chubb Insurance
Thomas Fleissner
Generation Serve
NCL - Memorial Chapter
Palazzo's
St. Andrew's Episcopal Church
St. Catherine's Montessori
WIC
Winchester Women's Group
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Until we are able to resume normal group volunteer opportunities, if you or someone you know would like to schedule a restaurant meal delivery with their corporate or community group, email Chrissy.
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Save the date for our annual gala! Click here for more information on underwriting opportunities.
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Thank you to everyone who attended and who made this event a smashing success: all of the teams, guests, sponsors, vendors, host committee members, judges, raffle donors, and volunteers. Because of you, over $58,000 was raised to help provide safety, health, permanence and HOPE for children at-risk of child abuse or neglect. We hope to see you all again next year!
Click here to view photos captured in-kind by the talented Greg Valk Photography.
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Non-perishable items to stock the pantry: snacks for kids, Hamburger Helper, Ravioli, spaghetti and meatballs, beans, rice, and heavy soups
- Pull-Ups & Size 5-7 Diapers
- Thermometers & Children's Tylenol
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