June 2022 Issue

 A Note from our CEO
Become a Foster Parent
Meet Marcus
40 Stories Over 40 Years
Hands of Hope Highlight
Thank You to Our Group Volunteers
Events
Top Needs & Ways to Help
Greetings!
It is officially summertime in Texas! While summer is traditionally a time to slow down, we recognize that for many, it's difficult to "kick back and relax." The need to be ever-vigilant about COVID combined with rapidly rising prices makes for a difficult summer for many families, including those served by Casa de Esperanza. Over the past few months, they have reached out for additional support as they continue to be disproportionately impacted by inflation, the end of stimulus support programs and the pandemic.

While we recognize the very real challenges, we also have so many reasons to be hopeful, not the least of which is the support of the community. Please know how grateful we are to you, our faithful community of supporters who, despite your own challenges, continue to partner with us to through financial and volunteer support to meet the needs of children and families who need us. We especially want to give a "heartfelt" thanks to our Hearts of Hope monthly donors, whose sustaining support is the simplest and most effective way to care for the children and families we serve every day. In honor of Casa's 40th birthday, we are looking for 40 dedicated partners to join our Hearts of Hope Giving Circle. Please consider joining this treasured community!

It is also an exciting time at Casa de Esperanza as we continue to innovate in order to better meet the needs of our children and families. Throughout this process, your partnership remains key, and we invite you to continue to come along beside us as we strive to meet the changing needs of our children and families. One important way you can help is by spreading the word about our need for foster parents - or by becoming a foster parent yourself! Casa de Esperanza is currently recruiting foster parents to care for children in our residential neighborhood as well as in the community. More information on this unique opportunity can be found below or on our website!

For the past 40 years, Casa de Esperanza has provided HOPE and a home to Houston's most vulnerable children through good times and challenging times. I am inspired by the passion for the mission that our staff, governing board, volunteers and YOU bring every single day. Along with your continued support and partnership, Casa de Esperanza will continue to provide HOPE to those in our community who need it most for years to come.

Please feel free to email me with any questions you have or to schedule a visit. And, if you haven't yet seen our latest issue of our newsletter, the Chronicle of Hope, which is packed with news and heartfelt stories, you can find it on our website. Enjoy!

Sincerely,
Melissa L. Simon, MSW, CFRE
Chief Executive Officer
There are not enough foster homes:
become one of the brave who steps up for children
Learn More about the Foster Care program.
Zoom Sessions will be hosted on Thursdays:

6/30 @ 1:00 PM
7/7 @ 7:00 PM
7/14 @ 1:00 PM
7/21 @ 7:00 PM
7/28 @ 1:00 PM

Can't attend one of the above sessions? Contact dtalmadge@casahope.org to schedule a time to learn more!
Meet Marcus:
Casa de Esperanza Post-Adopt Scholarship Recipient
Now that Casa de Esperanza is long past its infancy, so are many of the children who have come through our programs. Casa's Post-adopt Program provides scholarships for our students who want to continue their education beyond high school. Each year, we award 5-10 college students with support to help with tuition and supplies. We recently had the opportunity to catch up with one of our 2022 recipients, Marcus, who just completed his sophomore year at Sam Houston State University.
Marcus has always been interested in aviation and he understands what type of education he needs to become an airline pilot. He knows the importance of having a solid foundation in education and is pursuing a degree in two of his passions, education and kinesiology, all while navigating the flight school process. His advice to high school students deciding if college is the best route for them is “Do not worry if you truly don't know what you want to do. There are a lot of opportunities out there for you. Just choose something that you like.”

We are excited to announce that the A.R. “Tony” and Maria J. Sanchez Foundation committed to funding the Post-Adopt Scholarship Program for the 2022-23 and 2023-24 academic years! Their generous gift will also increase the size of the scholarships, providing even more HOPE and support for these students. Thank you A.R. “Tony” and Maria J. Sanchez Foundation!
40 Stories over 40 Years:
TODAY Show
When we think back on the day that Casa de Esperanza was featured on NBC’s “Today Show,” we can’t help but smile.

Eleven years ago this week, Casa de Esperanza was honored by NBC’s “Today Show” in its annual “Lend a Hand” series. The show aired live from the Casa Residential Neighborhood. Al Roker was joined by world BBQ Champion Chris Lilly, Country Singer Clay Walker, and Today Show correspondent Jenna Bush Hager. And of course, Founder Kathy Foster beautifully shared Casa’s mission with the world.

The segment focused on the incredible work done at Casa de Esperanza and showed how Houston’s philanthropic community rallied together to provide food, furniture, toys, and basic needs for the children in our care.

To this day, we are honored to have had our story told to millions of viewers across the country and throughout the world!


Follow along on our social media pages - Facebook and Instagram - each Saturday as we share memorable stories throughout Casa’s history.
Meet Brittney, a University of Nevada graduate from Las Vegas, Nevada!

Why did you decide to come to Casa de Esperanza?
I discovered Casa through an email from the Social Work department in my university. I read through the flyer and did some research on the program. I have always loved kids and want to work with them in the future, so I decided to move to Houston and help care for these children.

Share a favorite memory.
I had taken my kids to the playground and the rest of the neighborhood children were out as well. I was running around the playground while the children were chasing me. I purposely dropped on the ground and all the children laughed and jumped on top of me. It was such a wholesome moment to hear all of them so happy and I will always carry that moment with me.  

What is one thing you have learned since arriving at Casa de Esperanza?
I have learned that it is very easy to fall in love with these children and it is even harder to say goodbye, but giving these children love no matter how long they will be here is extremely important.

What is one piece of advice, guidance, or recommendation for someone who is considering a service year with Casa? 
Some advice I would offer is to be patient. Be patient with yourself, others, and especially with the kids. After having the kids for some time, you will be able to see the progress and improvements in your children and it is so amazing and so rewarding. 
Thank You to Our Group Volunteers!
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 May!
Daughters of Italian Heritage 
Generation SERVE 
 Herbalife 
Houston Association of Professional Landmen 
Friends of Casa 
Junior League of Houston 
National Charity League - Memorial Chapter
Palazzo's 
Prelude Music Classes 
Group volunteer opportunities have resumed! For more information on group volunteer opportunities, email Chrissy.
Upcoming Events
For questions, please contact Erika DuBose at edubose@casahope.org.
  • Size 5 & 6 diapers; Size 4T-5T pull-ups; Unscented baby wipes
  • Cetaphil Lotion
  • 2T Boy Shorts and Shirts
Other Ways to Help