We just got back from our Second Annual Community Picnic at Fort Hunt Park in Arlington.  It was so great to see our scholars, their families, and our dedicated supporters all in one place.  We had almost all of our 20 scholars in attendance, and the energy and diversity of the group was pretty great.

Special thanks to Mexican Jalapeno for generously sponsoring our event.  Use the checkout code “Esperanza” when you shop there and a portion of proceeds will go directly to support new scholars.

We just finished awarding our second round of 2010 scholarships, our New Esperanza Scholars Program for GED-recipients.  This year’s crop of twelve scholars–who will receive $75,000 in funds–hail from Eritrea to Vietnam to Bolivia and all points in between.  Many of them have overcome deep poverty and family tragedy to become budding engineers, entrepreneurs, civil rights activists, and public servants.  They are amazing–and very brave.  We think it is time to celebrate… twice!

Please join us this Thursday from 5:30 to 8pm at Zaytinya (701 9th St. NW) for a Happy Hour featuring Turkish, Lebanese, and Greek meze. You may recognize Zaytinya’s executive chef, Michael Isabella, from Top Chef!

Also, come meet our scholars!  Our second annual Esperanza Community Picnic will be held on Saturday, August 14, from 2 to 5pm at picnic area C-2 at Fort Hunt Park in Alexandria (8999 Fort Hunt Road, Alexandria, VA 22308).  All of our scholars–from this year and last–will be present, and we will, of course, have barbecue, soccer, frisbee, and everything else.

There are not fundraisers.  They are events to spread the word about Esperanza–and show off our incredible scholars.  See you there!

On Saturday, March 13, the inaugural class of Esperanza Scholars and their mentors met for their first intensive Career Day in the District of Columbia.  Scholars had one-on-one lunches with their mentors, and then attended a two-and-a-half hour career advising meeting with Mr. Clifton Coates, Director of the University of the District of Columbia’s Career & Professional Development Center.  Scholars discussed career plans, summer internship opportunities, and interview skills with both Mr. Coates and their mentors during this session.  The group ended the day with a delicious dinner at Charlie Chang’s Restaurant.

This session is the first in the Esperanza Fund’s effort to provide its scholars with both the financial resources–and the social and professional networks–that are critical to academic success.  If you would like to help our Mentorship Committee, by hosting an event, making contacts for our scholars, or in other ways, contact Alice Yao here.

» Continue reading “At the Carnegie with Elizabeth Joy Roe”

Hailed as “brilliant” (New York Times), “electrifying” (Dallas Morning News), and “an artist to be taken seriously” (Chicago Tribune), Korean-American pianist Elizabeth Joy Roe has captured universal acclaim from critics and audiences alike for her appearances as recitalist, orchestral soloist, and chamber musician. A graduate of the Juilliard School and winner of the William Petschek Piano Debut Recital Award, Ms. Roe has been featured on NPR, BBC, and MTV, and has performed at major venues around the world, including Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall in New York City; the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC; Salle Cortot in Paris; Salón Dorado in Buenos Aires; the Seoul Arts Center in South Korea; and the Banff Centre in Canada. Ms. Roe is a Steinway Artist.

This morning, 14 brave souls came out to Haines Point to run a 10K for the Esperanza Education Fund.  Nine of us formed the “phalanx,” spelling out “E-S-P-E-R-A-N-Z-A” at the start and finish lines. The crowd–some 2,000 runners and friends–loved it; so did the Washington Running Report.  Thanks to everyone who came out and everyone else who supported the runners with donations and encouragement.

Thanks to everyone who came out to our kickoff Happy Hour and Pisco Tasting at Las Canteras last week. We were able to raise a nice bit of funds for scholarships, and everyone seemed to have a good time (and drank like it!).

We will be running our first race, the Veteran’s Day 10K in Washington, DC, on November 15.  Nine of us, the “phalanx,” if you will, will be running with one of the letters of “ESPERANZA” on our shirts, and will run the course as a group.  If you can actually run, or if you just don’t want to run in line, you can also run solo and join us when we all regroup at the finish line.

Register here and please affiliate yourself with “Team Esperanza.” The registration fee is about $28, including fees.  Please try to register by Friday, October 16. We also ask that registrants raise at least $100 to go towards scholarships although we would love for you to raise more; our hope is that we can raise enough money for one more $5,000 scholarship through this event.  If you run, you will get a free Team Esperanza t-shirt, and, of course, everlasting glory.

To support a runner, please go to our Support section.

A new academic year is upon us and with it, a new calendar of activities for the Esperanza Fund. In the months ahead, we’ll be fielding a 10K running team and hosting a private recital with a brilliant young concert pianist of BBC, NPR and MTV fame, Elizabeth Joy Roe. We’re pretty excited.

To kick all of this off, please join us for a Kickoff Happy Hour and Pisco Tasting on Friday, September 25, from 5:00 to 7:30pm at Las Canteras Restaurant in Adams Morgan (2307 18th St. NW). Owner and resident Pisco expert, Gary Lee, will be on hand to prepare custom Pisco cocktails and explain the different varieties of the famous Peruvian brandy. Of course, a portion of all sales of tasty drinks will be dedicated to the Esperanza Fund.

Please RSVP by Tuesday, September 22 to reserve your spot!

Update: Here are a few pictures from the event.  Thanks to Gary Lee and the Canteras staff for a wonderful evening.

This Saturday, Esperanza members, supporters and our brand new inaugural class of Esperanza Scholars gathered to barbecue, frisbee, and play soccer at Fort Hunt Park in Alexandria.  Special thanks to Klass and LatinBag.com for generously supporting the event.