The doors open at 6:30 PM on Friday December 1, 2023, at the Winter Park Events Center (1050 W Morse Blvd, Winter Park 32789) for an evening of food, laughter, and, of course, dancing!

About one year ago, we hosted nearly 250 people to celebrate Hope’s 50th anniversary and professed our Y Mucho Más future. But even in our wildest dreams, we did not realize the transformative impact our organization would have in such a challenging year.

Hope is an oasis in a desert for those who have journeyed thousands of miles looking for safety, the security of food on the table, comfort, belonging, and peace. It is a home for those whose lives depend on our services, and it is a place where lost dreams become reality. It is a magical space where faint voices become louder and louder until it is heard by those in power. Hope is where hope never dies!

Did you know that Hope CommUnity Center serves 16,000 people every year. Our community is made up of Central Floridians who contribute every day to our economy and our programs empower them to realize their dreams.

Here are a few highlights of the impact of our work:

• Our Adult literacy ESOL classes successfully support immigrants in gaining needed skills to advocate for themselves to receive raises and/or promotions at work.
• Our nationally recognized Citizenship and Immigration Services program creates 100 new US Citizens annually through legal services, English classes, and civics classes. Fun fact only 1 in 3 Americans would be able to pass the citizenship test required of immigrants. Over 95% of our students pass their citizenship test the first time they take it.
• Our high school after school program, Sin Fronteras, ensured last year that 100% of our youth group’s seniors graduated high schools and 88% enrolled in post-secondary education. 
• Our College and Career Access program provides scholarships to first generation college students, accompanies them in their post-secondary education journey to ensure they graduate, and teaches them the importance of community service.
• Our Emporaderas (Empowered) women empowerment group is supporting 50 immigrant women to overcome domestic violence, learn entrepreneurship skills, and become a powerful force for positive change in Central Florida. 
• We educated 1600 people through 15 informational sessions about their Constitutional rights in the United States. These workshops teach immigrants what to do when they face abuse.
• Our earned media campaign to share the personal stories of immigrants was highlighted in the New York Times, NPR, the Associated Press, and more than 200 other outlets reaching over 500,000 people on TV and more than 300,000,000 on print and online.
• Just this October we hosted our first (first of many) civic engagement training with over 200 youth (80 from our Sin Fronteras program and 120+ from around the state) and about 20 women from the Emporaderas at our South Apopka building.

In the wise words of Harvey Milk, “You’ve got to give them hope.”

Hope is a life force that drives us to fight for a better future. It is embedded in our hearts as fuel to create a world where our existence matters. But it must be nurtured!

Join us in making our promise of Y Mucho Mas a reality. Help us bring hope to thousands. We are committed to building a world where we all belong, and it is only possible because of the support of you and others like you.

Please save the date on your calendar and consider supporting us through your attendance or your donation.