 |
Our History
Hard work, perseverance and hope inspired a group of Mexican-American parents from Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood in April 1969 to create Esperanza Community Services. These parents could not find appropriate educational programs for their children with developmental disabilities, so they started their own. One of the parents, Guadelupe Reyes, and Professor Earl Ogletree, an associate with the Waldorf School movement, combined their efforts to create this special school called Esperanza, which means “hope” in Spanish.
Their hopes and hard work were rewarded. The school, which has grown into a comprehensive social-service agency, has flourished. In 1974, it moved to the West Town community where it grew to serve families from the Near West Side, East and West Garfield, North Lawndale and Humboldt Park. Today Esperanza’s five programs serve individuals from birth to adulthood who have mild to profound developmental disabilities, emotional disturbances, behavior disorders, autism and other forms of mental retardation.
Esperanza has grown to serve over 700 racially and culturally diverse participants and families. It employs more than 80 dedicated employees including professionals with master’s degrees in non-profit administration, education, nursing, social work and a full spectrum of therapies including speech, occupational and physical therapy.
Esperanza—friends and visitors agree—is a remarkable and loving place. Its growth and success have more than rewarded those whose hopes, hard work and dedication inspired its creation. We invite you to visit us and see for yourself.
Esperanza is accredited by the Rehabilitation Accreditation Commission (CARF); is a member of United Way; is licensed and funded through the Illinois Department of Human Services; and is accredited by the North Central Association of Schools.
|
