Casa de la Esperanza is a 32-unit residential community dedicated to helping agricultural workers. The community is owned and operated by the Boulder County Housing Authority in the City of Longmont. This center provides educational and recreational services to Casa residents, including an onsite “after-school” program and academic center.
Casa de la Esperanza
History
Community Action Programs worked with the Boulder County Commissioners, the Boulder County Housing Authority and other community members to make this award winning housing community a reality. The first migrant families moved in during the fall of 1993. CAP staff worked with the site manager to hire a bilingual coordinator June 1994. For over twenty years, the program has been responsive to the unique needs of the dozens of farm workers families of the Casa de la Esperanza community. The program has served hundreds of families and children over the years.
Mission
Casa de la Esperanza’s educational center is a state-of-the-art learning center providing opportunities and resources toward excellence and self-empowerment through collaboration and programming that nurture each individual’s potential.
Vision
Our vision is one of a thriving self-sustaining community sharing wisdom to transform society through today and tomorrow’s leaders, honoring those who came before us.
Program Description
The Casa de la Esperanza program was initiated to serve the 100+ children and youth living on site. Partnerships with local agencies and groups provided many resources and services that have greatly benefitted the community for several years. Hundreds of volunteers from the local universities, corporations and the community have contributed thousands of hours of service to the Casa community annually as tutors, robotics mentors, teaching classes, organizing activities and events.
Staff
- Vanessa Arritola | Program Coordinator
- Michael Lozano Roman | STEM Educator & Lab Technician
- Isabel Tarr | BCHA Housing Compliance Coordinator
- Lizbeth Campuzano | Property Manager
Casa de la Esperanza has several affordable units available at this moment. People interested can only complete the application process by visiting: https://www.waitlistcheck.com/CO3024-2725
- Units available:
- 3-bedroom-units: Minimum of 3 members in the households in unit
- 4-bedrooms-units: Minimum of 4 members in the households in unit
- Eligibility requirements
- HOH must be a US Citizen, legal resident or be authorized to work in the United States
- Priority will be given to agriculture workers (Services in connection with cultivating the soil, raising or harvesting any agriculture or aquaculture commodity; or in catching, netting, handling, planting, drying, packing, grading, storing, or preserving in the unprocessed stage, without respect to the source of employment (but not self-employed), any agriculture or aquaculture commodity; or delivering to storage, market, or a carrier for transportation to market or to processing any agricultural or aquacultural commodity in its unprocessed stage. Products for sale in sufficient quantities so that the property is recognized as a farm rather than a rural residence). Substantial portion of income is from farm labor employment; 110 whole days in farm work to receive this preference.
- Income limits (as of 07/12/2024):
| Family Size | 3 persons | 4 persons | 5 persons | 6 persons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Income | $93,050 | $103,350 | $111,650 | $119,900 |
- Services for the household:
- Food box 2 times per month
- Zumba Classes
- Health and nutrition classes
- Educational programs available to children (visit the Educational Programs tab for more detailed information):
- STEM Program
- Cottonwood Summer Program
- Rocket Club
- Casa Scholars
Please reach out to Isabel Tarr with any questions about eligibility or applying at 303-678-6007 or itarr@bouldercounty.gov. You can also email our team at hhsbchawaitlist@bouldercounty.gov.
STEM Program (Science Technology Engineering Math)
This program provides incredible opportunities that promote 21st Century skills in the areas of technology, the sciences, math and engineering. The Casa de la Esperanza Robotics Academy was developed in the spring of 2007 to foster student’s engagement in their own education as they work with professional mentors in preparation for a robotics competition. These regional competitions are held at universities such as: University of Denver, University of Colorado at Denver and Boulder campuses, Regis University and others. The Casa Robotics Academy includes: JR. LEGO Robotics (ages 6-9 yrs.), LEGO Robotics (9-12 yrs.), VEX Robotics for 5-8th grade students, FIRST Robotics Competition for high school youth. Other STEM activities include math, science and computer technology classes and projects.
Cottonwood Summer Program
During the summer months, the participants at Casa de la Esperanza have the opportunity to team up with Cottonwood Institute. The Institute is geared to all school age children grades K-12, and fosters a love of learning and adventure all day long. Cottonwood Institute has a motto of exploration, learning, and change – they create a foundation for kids to trek through nature, learn clear communication and interpersonal skills, as well as learn to adapt in many different situations. You can find more information about the Cottonwood Institute and Casa trips here.
Rocket Club
NASA funded summer camp designed to get Casa de la Esperanza kids interested in math, science, and rockets.
It is a unique five year program designed to teach middle school students about science and engineering through hands-on projects. As part of the program students learn Newton’s laws of motion, basic engineering, physics and other by using rockets as tools to teach students. It is the hopes of program inspire students to be our next astronauts, scientists, engineers and mathematicians.
Casa Scholars
This program nurtures academic achievement by providing the necessary services and resources to enable students in K-12th grade to attain success in school. Tutoring provided by dozens of volunteers and program staff is crucial in creating a Pathway to Higher Education promoting high school and college graduation. This support includes a rich array of classes and enrichment opportunities, campus visits, fieldtrips, college assistance, youth internships and special events.
Volunteering opportunities
The Casa de la Esperanza Learning Center operates Monday to Thursday, throughout the year with occasional weekend activity. Hours of operation are from 3:00 – 8:00 p.m. for the fall and spring semester. The summer session runs for six weeks. Be a part of the solution. Invest in our youth.
You can always fill out the Casa de la Esperanza Volunteer Application and one of our program coordinators will respond to you.
Casa de la Esperanza Learning Center is located at:
1520 South Emery Street
Longmont, CO 80501
What services does the Casa de la Esperanza Learning Center provide?
The Casa de la Esperanza Learning Center provides academic support and enrichment opportunities to overcome the economic, linguistic, cultural and other challenges these youth face. Our goal is to achieve educational success towards greater self-sufficiency. A high level of collaboration among local partners, donors and volunteers supports the community with valuable resources and services.
The program runs Monday-Thursday from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. during the school year and Mon-Thurs from 2:00-8:00 p.m. in the summer.
Casa Core Program Elements include:
- S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) – Math clubs and classes, computer, science and Casa Robotics Academy
- Early Learning Program – Early learning classes for children ages 3-8 with a focus on literacy, numeracy and computer skills
- Esperanza Scholars – Academic Support, scholarship and college assistance, fieldtrips and special events
- Adult Programing – ESL classes, Computer Classes, Citizenship classes, GED classes and Parenting classes
Does the Casa de la Esperanza Learning Center have volunteer opportunities?
Yes, the Casa de la Esperanza Learning Center offers an array of volunteer opportunities. Casa volunteers play an essential role enhancing the program services. Volunteers can teach classes in areas such as math, art, yoga, martial arts, digital photography, language and culture, and much more. Volunteers organize literacy groups, tutor small groups of students or offer one-on-one academic assistance. Other volunteers contribute to the Casa de la Esperanza Robotics Academy as mentors helping the students prepare for their robotics competitions. Casa has special events for the holidays, field days and offers community service learning projects which also require volunteer assistance. We tailor your volunteer efforts to your specific skills and interests. Your talents will be much appreciated.
To volunteer, please contact the program coordinator, Mike Lozano at 303-678-6220 or by email at mlozano@bouldercounty.gov.
You will be invited to a site interview and will need to fill out necessary paperwork including a background check.
Does the Casa de la Esperanza Learning Center accept donations?
The Boulder Community Housing Corporation is the non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that serves as the umbrella agency for the Casa de la Esperanza Learning Center. As such, we depend on local foundations, corporate sponsors, and donors in the community to offer financial support to the Casa de la Esperanza learning center.
Your charitable contribution can be sent to:
BCHC, Casa de la Esperanza Learning Center
P.O. Box 471 Boulder, CO 80306.
Please contact Mike Lozano at 303-678-6220 or mlozano@bouldercounty.gov to donate the following: Clothing (coats, gloves, scarves, jeans) Books (bilingual, Spanish, English) Supplies (art, school and computer) Christmas gifts and gift cards for the families.
Contact Us
Longmont
1520 South Emery Street
Map & Directions
Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Monday-Friday
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 471
Boulder, CO 80306
