La Casa de Esperanza, Inc., was organized by a group of concerned citizens. Originally known as History Builders, Inc., the agency purchased a house on Ryan Street and from there operated their first major project - a day care program.

The agency changed its name to La Casa de Esperanza, Inc. and began offering educational programs.

La Casa relocated and expanded physical operations twice. 410 Arcadian Avenue was renovated to accommodate administrative and a multipurpose classroom followed by the purchase of a second building adjacent to the administrative building to house La Casa's Community Center.

Additional programming was developed to include employment and skill training, weatherization services, a senior center, and the Good Neighbor Energy Fund. The La Casa Village Apartments, a 51-unit housing complex for senior adults and the disabled, was constructed.

The agency purchased a two story residence which provided an additional 2,000 square feet of classroom and office space.

La Casa expanded its programming to include an Early Childhood Intervention (ECIP).

In collaboration with the Milwaukee Foundation and WCTC, La Casa began the Hispanic Adults Returning to School Program (HARTS).

"The After School Club" for latchkey youth and "Above & Beyond" coursework for Hispanic women were added to expand educational program offerings.

Program development increased with seven new services: "Midnight Sports", Summer Meal Service Program, Radon Home Testing Program, Home Repair Program, Waukesha County Homebuyer Program "A Dream Come True", A.O.D.A. Outpatient Clinic and JOB-RIDE.

La Casa began a capital campaign with a goal to raise $2.3 million to finance the construction of La Casa's new community and child development center. The new center was opened in May 2001 and has allowed La Casa to expand its programs and pursue its goals more assertively than ever.

A $2.3 million Capital Campaign to finance the construction of La Casa's new community center was successfully completed. The project was a success due to the partnership and support of the community and major donors including the Bank One Foundation, Northwestern Mutual Foundation, Quad Graphics, Col Agustin Ramirez, Jr., Waukesha State Bank, The Greater Milwaukee Foundation, The Petit Foundation, the Bradley Foundation and many more.

La Casa successfully met a $250,000 challenge grant from the Kresge Foundation of Troy, Michigan. Only four such grants were awarded in the entire Greater Milwaukee area.

La Casa Village II Apartments, a complex of 20-housing units was opened in order to meet the increasing need for affordable, low-income housing for elderly and/or disabled individuals. This second housing unit was constructed through the financing support of U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago, Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) and a number of private corporations.

La Casa was awarded a $485,000 grant from the US Department of Labor to expand our very successful weatherization program. La Casa is currently offering a full-service weatherization-training program to more than 100 under-skilled and unemployed individuals seeking careers in the weatherization industry. After training, these workers will be qualified to earn $8.50 per hour and will receive assistance in job placement.

La Casa was selected to receive the 2002 Waukesha County Executive Award for Outstanding Non-profit Organization. La Casa was selected for this honor because of the profound and far reaching consequences of our work and the efficient and effective manner in which we provide our broad array of services.

La Casa was chosen to participate in the Denali Initiative to develop a social enterprise call Su Casa Weatherization Services to provide job training and placement to low-wage, unskilled workers.

La Casa began a Foundation, Initiative 2010.

La Casa was awarded the contract for the Family Self Sufficiency Program through the Waukesha Housing Authorities.

La Casa received the Outcomes in Excellence Award from the United Way in Waukesha County for the Children, Family and Youth Program.

La Casa was awarded a $5 million contract to provide Low-Income Weatherization services in the City of Milwaukee.

La Casa received a $100,000 grant from WHEDA to develop financial literacy and homebuyer programs.

La Casa announced a new $1.5 million Capital Campaign.

La Casa was awarded an Earmark Grant to develop a food service training program which will be developed in collaboration with Waukesha County Technical College.

La Casa was awarded $50,000 worth of technology equipment and curriculum from SBC / LULAC (League of Urban Latin American Citizens) to strengthen the services to the Children, Family and Youth programs and increase access to technology to our community.

Annie E. Casey Foundation recognized La Casa with the Family Strengthening Award for its exemplary Children, Family, and Youth Program.

12 early childcare teachers enroll in Early Childhood degree programs.

Curriculum and Instruction Committee of the Waukesha School Board approves La Casa's charter school curriculum

La Casa awarded its 2nd Kresge Foundation Challenge Grant in the amount of $300,000

La Casa receives the NCLR Midwest Affiliate of the Year Award

La Casa receives the NCLR Regional Affiliate of the Year Award for making a positive, measurable impact on the lives of Latinos in the community

La Casa conducts a two-day training seminar for NCLR affiliates from across the nation

Celebrated the first year of operation of Café Esperanza, La Casa's food service training facility

Advocacy Initiative raised community awareness about the electoral process and registered 321 new voters

La Casa successfully completes $2.5 million capital campaign.

La Casa, with support from the Greater Milwaukee Foundation and the Mary

Nohl Fund of the Greater Milwaukee, completes youth arts initiative

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program completed 774 returns, resulting in over $1.6 million remaining in our community

Issued first Ways to Work loans in February

Developed and began the Bryce P. Styza Construction Language Program

Participated in exchange program with teachers from Mexico

La Casa becomes the first Kids Café site in Waukesha

Dr. Walter Sava and Anselmo Villarreal author the book Latinos in Waukesha

La Casa helps over 11,000 Waukesha County residents annually through educational, workforce development, health, nutrition and housing services.

La Casa regards its ongoing ability to establish effective, efficient and powerful partnerships with other community collaborators as a major accomplishment. Program partners include Waukesha Memorial Hospital, WCTC, UW-Waukesha, the Waukesha Police Department, Waukesha Corrections, Waukesha Housing Authorities, and many local schools, churches, businesses and foundations. In addition, each year over 20,000 individuals attend Fiesta Waukesha where Hispanic cultural heritage is shared and celebrated with the larger community.