Now, I am getting to know this organization more every day. I have become acquainted with the students and participants, and they are the reason that I enjoy getting out of bed in the morning to come to work. Every day I am greeted with their spirited ‘hellos’ and ‘how are yous’, as well as an enthusiasm that is impossible not to share. And instead of drab cubicle walls, I am surrounded by their awesome works of art.

Once in a while, participants will stop by the development office to share treats that they made in the bakery, and they almost always tell me how much they enjoy it here. There is an atmosphere here that I’ve never experienced in a workplace before. Working at Esperanza is rewarding. I am excited to a part of Esperanza Community Services, and I hope that I can make a difference in these participants’ lives as they do in mine

-  Catie Boehmer, Development Assistant

Several years ago, a friend invited me to attend a gala at a place called Esperanza Community Services.  I agreed because she was my friend and she was excited to show me where she was volunteering her time as a board member. From the moment I walked in the door, I felt the energy of the participants and the volunteers.  Once I saw the student’s beautiful artwork and I heard their joyful music, I was hooked! Since then, I have kept coming back to Esperanza because I was excited, and my enthusiasm has never waned. I want to tell you why.

I am a frustrated “artist” and had taken an art class or two in my day.  But it wasn’t until I saw the art at Esperanza that I realized what energy had to do with drawing or painting.  I had always been intent on creating an exact replica of what I was painting and I did not understand what art teachers meant by telling me to put “energy” into my work.  Well, I understood as I viewed the art created by the participants of Coleridge, the adult education program at Esperanza.  The colors, the lines and the brush strokes all worked to create a piece of art as unique as the artist.  No, it is not an exact replica of the inspiration for the art – it is way better!  I remember asking the art teacher, Julie Molter, how she got such great work from her students.  She told me it was not hard; they love to paint and express themselves. That was the answer!  The students at Esperanza feel safe and free to express themselves – and they put all of their “energy” into that expression without editing.

Later in the evening, the Gala featured a play and music performed by the Coleridge students.  The play was written, directed and acted by the students in conjunction with a volunteer theater group called Imagination Workshop. Talk about energy!  And the choir performance, conducted by teacher James Cornolo, showcased the vocal and dance talents of our amazing students.

That evening stayed in my heart and I started attending more events at Esperanza.  About two years later my schedule allowed me to volunteer some quality time, and there was no question that Esperanza was top on my list.  Volunteering with people who are passionate about making a difference in peoples’ lives has given me so much.  Not only do I get satisfaction from working with people who make a difference, but I am also learning about the issues surrounding developmental disability.

I had never worked on a board of directors before, so I am learning how not-for-profits are run, how to fund-raise and so much more. The best part of it all is that I am part of a team of people who put their time and energy into working with some of the most amazing children and adults I have ever met!

- Mary von Mandel, Esperanza Board Director

Please click here to read how Esperanza has helped Susan become more independent, and read more about the achievements that happen every day day at Esperanza here!

-Jeff Fenwick

Esperanza Community Services is gearing up to make 2012 a fantastic year. We have ambitious goals for the year ahead, and one of the key tools that that will help us achieve these goals is this very website, EsperanzaCommunity.org. This website was built from the ground up by Mark Baldino and Christine Van Egeren, two dedicated, hard-working and generous volunteers.

Mark, co-founder of Chicago-based experience design studio Fuzzy Math, led the technical development and implementation of the new site. “It’s been my pleasure to volunteer with Esperanza over the past 2.5 years on various web-related projects,” says Mark. “One project I’ve been pitching from the start is a new, more robust website. A lot of hard work paid off with the recent launch. It’s been a wonderful experience helping such an incredible organization spread their message and expand their presence on the web.”

Christine, who specializes in web design, created the user interface and design. “From the first time I toured Esperanza, I was blown away by how much life there was radiating not only from the students and faculty that I met, but also from the beautiful artwork that adorned the walls,” says Christine.  “I love the fact that Esperanza uses art as such an integral part of their program, and being an artist myself, I wanted to contribute my own skills to the talent I saw in all of the students’ work.  I’m so glad I had the opportunity to help Esperanza showcase their mission online.”

All of us at Esperanza are thrilled to have our new website up and running! Mark and Christine, thank you both for all of your hard work. The site is fantastic and will help us reach new heights in 2012!

-Jeff Fenwick

These generous and supportive groups visited and distributed gifts that they had collected from their members during the last few months, making sure that the wishes of every student and participant would be met. The generosity and selflessness of the McDonald’s Hispanic Employee Business Network and the Puerto Rican Police Association is truly inspiring. The fact that these groups made time for Esperanza during what is, for most of us, the busiest time of year is even more amazing.

Thank you to each and every member of the McDonald’s Hispanic Employee Business Network and the Puerto Rican Police Association.  We also want to give special thanks to the organizers - Shirley Soria, and officers Ray Calixto and Carlos Rivera respectively. We thank you for the gifts, for the Christmas carols, and for your time. All of these brightened the faces of every student and participant at Esperanza. Those bright faces are our gift to you.

by Jeff Fenwick

We’re excited that this year, Giulia and Christine have selected Esperanza as a recipient of their generosity! This Sunday, December 11, Giulia and Christine will hold their festive fundraiser at Holmes Elementary School in Oak Park.

“This is a great way to teach our children how good it feels to give to others, especially during the holidays,” says Giulia. “We’re inviting people to come out, decorate cookies ands have a blast!”

The cookie decorating extravaganza is Sunday, December 11 at Holmes Elementary School, 508 N. Kenilworth, Oak Park, from 1 to 4 pm. Please enter through the court yard. Parking is available on Chicago or Kenilworth. Donation amount is up to you, but generosity is encouraged!

Thank you so much to Giulia and Christine for their generosity. And remember to bring a tin or bag to carry your cookies home!

-Jeff Fenwick, Director of Development

As the new Executive Director of Esperanza Community Services, I could not be more thrilled with the where Esperanza is, and where we are heading. Esperanza is growing, improving, and creating new opportunities to better serve our students and participants. In the next few months I look forward to celebrating with you all as we:

• Add one new Community Integrated Living Arrangement (CILA) home and expanding another to provide 24-hour supported living to an additional 12 adults.
•  Continue to expand our school programming. Since August, we have already grown our enrollment by nearly 15% and we are working with our partners to expand by another 15% in the next year.
• Launch a new vocational program for our Coleridge Adult Training Program that will help our adult participants learn new skills and create lives of independence.

This is an exciting time to be a part of Esperanza! I encourage you to find out more how you can get involved with us and be a part of this growth, or to take a new look to see if our programs might be a good fit for a loved one.

Thank you,

David Stupay,
Executive Director