Dear Friends of Esperanza,
It is with great humility and even greater excitement that I write to you as Esperanza’s newly appointed President & CEO. For 43 years, this organization has stood in the middle of our community: not just as a witness to what’s possible, but as the reason so many doors have opened for our students, our families, and our neighbors.
This moment is deeply personal for me. Fifteen years ago, I began walking alongside this community: running programs, building relationships, and seeing firsthand the difference Esperanza makes. Now, I step into this role to serve alongside an incredible team, our Board of Directors, our volunteers, and this community that has given me so much.
That legacy was built by people like you. Every gift, every hour volunteered, every act of belief in our mission has carried Esperanza from a small scholarship fund to a cornerstone of hope across Northeast Ohio.
What started as a single scholarship has grown into core programs serving Youth, Adults, and Post-Secondary Students, providing over $2 million in scholarships and wraparound services to the families who need them most. Today, we serve more than 2,000 learners through our programs each year, while reaching thousands more through community events and initiatives that connect families with educational resources and opportunities.
You’ve seen this impact firsthand at our Back-to-School Celebration, where hundreds of students start the year ready and supported, and at Fiesta of Hope, our signature celebration where our community comes together to honor our students’ achievements and the culture that unites us. I want to personally invite you to join us at Fiesta of Hope on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at Landerhaven. Come celebrate the success of our students and see the impact your support makes possible.
Any support helps, whether that’s attending, giving, or simply sharing this invitation with your own networks. Every connection brings us closer to reaching the students who need us most.
We are not just marking 43 years. We are building the next 43.
As we look beyond four decades of impact, I am energized by what lies ahead: new partnerships, new opportunities, and a renewed commitment to the students and families who make Esperanza what it is. But this next chapter only works if we walk into it together.
I invite you to stay connected, stay involved, and join us in creating greater impact.
Zulayka “Zully” Ruiz-Barral, M.Ed.
President & CEO
Esperanza, Inc.