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With an original gift of $500 and the help of many friends, Kathy Foster and Bill Jones opened Casa de Esperanza's first home for children in crisis in October 1982. Related programs have been developed as needed, including developmental and educational services. In 1986, Casa became the second agency nationwide and the first agency in the greater Houston area to recognize and respond to the need for specialized residential care of children infected with and affected by HIV/AIDS.
- Kathy Foster, Bill Jones and a small group of friends begin meeting to discuss opening a home for abused children.
- Houston attorney Paul Daugherty makes initial donation of $500 and the first Casa de Esperanza house is rented.
- Dr. Kathleen Motil, a pediatrician, visits Casa de Esperanza and begins volunteering and providing a weekly clinic for the children.
- Two volunteer psychologists, including Ronnie Koehn, visit Casa de Esperanza and begin to provide services to the children. Ronnie is later hired on staff full-time and worked for Casa for 35 years.
- Casa cares for our first child with HIV.
- Casa de Esperanza celebrates its first adoption.
- Mary Nicholas donates 4 acres on Almeda Road which will become the Casa Neighborhood and Office location.
- Casa de Esperanza is the beneficiary of the first Houston Rockets Tux & Tennies gala and a portion of the proceeds are used to build the Rockets Center offices.
- Casa Academy opens to provide educational support to post-adoption clients.
- 100th adoption takes place
- The Hand of Hope Service Year program is established.
- The new neighborhood opens. David Weekley Homes built the homes at cost and the Morgan Group built the neighborhood’s infrastructure.
- Casa de Esperanza is proud to celebrate 30 years of service to the Greater Houston community.
- In the fall of 2021, the staff and board completed a new 3-year Strategic Plan aimed at continuing the mission of Casa de Esperanza.
- Casa de Esperanza celebrates it's 40th Anniversary!
- AmeriCorps and Casa de Esperanza partner to create the Hands of Hope AmeriCorps Service Member program.
Thank you for being a part of this journey!
HONORING OUR FOUNDERS: KATHY FOSTER & BILL JONES