We may be four weeks into 2023, but the Casa de Esperanza staff wants to wish you all a very Happy and Healthy New Year! We are grateful to each of you for the many ways you supported our children and families in 2022. Through your generous investments of resources and time, you helped ensure that children were kept safe, families thrived, and Casa de Esperanza's mission continued. Over the next few months, we look forward to continuing to share the impact YOU made possible in 2022. Thank you!

The very nature of Casa's work can be challenging, yet I am encouraged by the resilience I witness every day. Recently, two of the children in our care started school, bravely stepping into yet another unknown, trying on new uniforms, learning new things, and making new friends. They've thrived with the help and encouragement of their Hands of Hope House Parents and the staff who work intensively with all of our children on their developmental goals, social attachments, communication, and school readiness.

Children who just six months ago faced a very uncertain future are now thriving because they feel safe and secure at Casa. The value and significance of this stability is indisputable, and it's why we will never stop working on behalf of the children and families whose futures depend on Casa de Esperanza. Our efforts to understand and respond to recent changes in child welfare licensing, laws and legislative priorities is only just beginning. Many of you have asked how you can help. Becoming informed about the issues at hand is the first step. A great resource is the Texas Alliance for Children and Family Services, a coalition of community-based organizations serving children, youth, and families across Texas. I encourage you to explore the resources provided on their website, including their legislative agenda for the 88th Texas Legislature currently in session. If you are inclined, you can contact your state representative about your concerns about children at risk for child abuse and neglect: Who Represents Me? (texas.gov) You can also contact me directly with any questions you might have.

It's a challenging time to do this work and it takes everyone to ensure the safety of our children and strengthen our families. Casa de Esperanza's Board, leadership, donors and volunteers are committed to these goals, and I thank you for partnering with us to give all children a safe, loving, and permanent home.