March 2022 Issue
A Note from our CEO
Casa Question Corner
40 Stories Over 40 Years
Hands of Hope Highlight
Thank You to Our Group Volunteers
Events
Top Needs & Ways to Help
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We are well into our 40th Birthday year at Casa de Esperanza, and there are many exciting things happening and planned in the coming months. Following the latest COVID surge, we now all look with anticipation to a return to a more "normal" daily life. For Casa de Esperanza, that means once again welcoming volunteers and visitors to our neighborhood. To schedule a tour of the Casa de Esperanza neighborhood, contact Leanne. ( Please note that masks and proof of vaccine status are required.)
Thanks to your generosity and that of so many in our community, Casa de Esperanza has consistently been able 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! We are proud to share our 2021 Impact Report with you, highlighting the work we have done together over the past year.
After two years away, we look forward to seeing many of you in person at the 2022 Building Hope for Children Gala on May 1st! This year, we honor Casa de Esperanza's House Parents and Caretakers over the years, and share the inaugural Kathy Foster Spirit of Service Award. You can find out more about how to participate in this exciting event below.
Finally, we hope you take a look at this month's Casa Question Corner, featuring information about child food insecurity. One of Casa's core values is a commitment to inspire and teach our community and future generations the value of protecting the most vulnerable. Over the next few months we will highlight just some of the challenges impacting our children and families, and ways you can help them overcome these challenges.
Thank you for providing HOPE to those in our community who need it most.
Sincerely,
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Melissa L. Simon, MSW, CFRE
Chief Executive Officer
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Casa Question Corner:
How Does Food Insecurity Impact Children?
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Many of the children at Casa de Esperanza come from food-insecure homes. Proper nutrition is crucial to the development of a child, yet 1 in 5 Texas children face food insecurity. This issue impacts families on many levels, and they are often forced to choose between paying for basic needs or food. Clients surveyed by the Houston Food Bank reported that 79% ate unhealthy meals to reduce their spending on groceries. When children grow up in food-insecure homes, they tend to develop an unhealthy relationship with food which staggers their growth and overall health. The effects of food insecurity on children includes increased frequency of hospitalizations, a higher risk of developing chronic health conditions, and academic and behavior challenges.
A little boy that entered Casa de Esperanza’s care initially struggled during his mealtimes because his familiar food item consisted mainly of potato chips. Eventually he was able to transition from watching his caregivers eating healthy food items he refused to eat, to trying them and even requesting seconds and thirds. He now enjoys a greater range of food that includes fresh fruit mixed with yogurt, waffles, scrambled eggs, and baked chicken.
Casa de Esperanza's food pantry helps families whose children have returned home, and is filled primarily though donations. Hosting a basic needs + food drive is a great way to contribute to our mission and nourish the children and families who depend on us. Our families need your help! You can view a list of items we need the most here https://www.casahope.org/stock-the-pantry-food-drive or purchase items directly off our Amazon Wish List.
Please contact Chrissy to arrange a deliver time. On behalf of our families, thank you!
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40 Stories over 40 Years -
Adam's Story
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This story is from one of our early years at Casa de Esperanza. Our organization was founded with a mission to end child abuse. In April we will observe National Child Abuse Awareness Month. By supporting Casa de Esperanza, you are helping children like Adam have a safe place to live and thrive.
“Adam came to us at age two and a half weighing only 19 pounds. His four previous placements had failed and he had been subjected to extreme abuse by his father and witnessed this same abuse on his baby sister. When he first came to Casa, he could not eat without being nauseated. Our pediatrician, Dr. Kay, advised the staff taking care of Adam that he should be given all kinds of high-calorie food, such as M&Ms and chips, and not be made to sit still while eating. This wasn't your normal eating regimen for a young child. However, over time with this eating program, he began to gain weight.
Adam was with Casa for years and as he stabilized emotionally, his self-esteem grew and he developed a healthy relationship with nutritious foods. Eventually, he was able to move from a staff-run house to a foster family.”
*Photo is from Casa de Esperanza’s history picturing Dr. Kay and Kathy Foster. The child is not representative of the subject in the story.*
Follow along on our social media pages - Facebook and Instagram - each Saturday as we share memorable stories throughout Casa’s history.
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Meet Marseille, an Oklahoma State University graduate from Lawton, Oklahoma!
Why did you decide to come to Casa de Esperanza?
When I was finishing up my undergraduate degree, I was looking for internship and service opportunities as a way to take a break from school, but still gain some experience toward the career I want. That’s when I happened to come across an email from my academic advisor about Casa de Esperanza. As I read it and did my research, I fell in love with the mission of the organization and the services that they provide to children and their families in the local community. It aligned with everything I wanted to do and continue to learn about, so I didn’t want to pass up on the chance to be a part of their program.
Share a favorite memory.
One of the biggest improvements I saw in a child was with an infant that came to us underweight and whom we struggled with consistently to get them to drink their bottles past a certain amount of ounces in a day. By the time they left though, they had more than doubled their weight, plus they had no issues drinking and finishing their bottles. For all of us House Parents that helped take care of them, to watch that improvement was such an accomplishment.
What is one thing you have learned since arriving at Casa de Esperanza?
Children are a lot more observant and capable of things than what we give them credit for.
What is one piece of advice, guidance, or recommendation you can give to someone who is considering the Hands of Hope Service Year?
For those that are planning on joining Hands of Hope, my biggest pieces of advice and guidance are to come in with an open mind and open heart to the work that you will be doing, be as flexible as possible to your new day to day life, and to never take anything too personal. To everyone that is considering Hands of Hope, if you have any interest in childcare, social work, medicine, psychology, education, public health, social justice, and non-profit management, then I strongly recommend you join the program. This is a great opportunity to get hands-on experience and understanding of those career fields while also serving and making a positive difference in the lives of children.
What is one thing we can’t tell just by looking at you?
I’m actually a really shy guy that is very quiet, low key, and introverted.
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Thank You to Our 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 February! |
Arnold & Itkin LLP
Boy Scouts of America
Friends of Casa de Esperanza
Generation SERVE
National Charity League - Memorial Chapter
The Regis School
Palazzo's
Prelude
St. Catherine's Montessori School
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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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Casa de Esperanza cordially invites you to the
2022 Building Hope For Children Gala
celebrating our 40th Birthday!
Sunday, May 1, 2022 | 5:30 PM - 9:00 PM
The Revaire | 7122 Old Katy Road, Houston, TX 77024
Chaired by Mary Ellen & Scott Prochazka
Reception & Dinner | Live Band & Dancing | Live Auction & Paddles Up | Casa Marketplace
Spirit of Hope Honorees | Casa de Esperanza's Hands of Hope House Parents & Caregivers over the past 40 years
Introducing the inaugural
Kathy Foster Spirit of Service Award honoring Mary Haynes
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- Similac Sensitive Infant Formula (Orange Can) and/or Enfamil Gentle-Ease (Purple Can)
- Baby Wipes
- Canned pastas (Spaghetti-O's, Ravioli, etc.) and large cans of heavy soups (Hearty-Style)
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