​La Casa de Esperanza's Free Cookout In Waukesha On Friday

WAUKESHA, WI —La Casa de Esperanza’s free community cookout is planned for Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 134 Wisconsin Ave. The event is hosted by La Casa’s Center for Financial Stability and will offer an energy savings kit to help people save money on the energy bill.

The event will be held at the drive-thru area.

Since March, when the pandemic impacted the community, La Casa's teams have been working to continue to provide safe social distancing services through telephone, email, virtual and the drive thru at our 134 Wisconsin Avenue – Waukesha location ( formerly was First Federal Bank – so it had a drive thru). All staff and volunteers are required to do temperature checks, a health screening, sanitizing and use face masks.

La Casa de Esperanza’s mission is to provide opportunities to achieve full social and economic participation in society, with emphasis on the Hispanic population.

Gina Sanchez, who oversees CFS, said they provide all the adult program services such as VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) Program, Employment Program, Financial Stability Program and CFS is a HUD approved Housing Counseling Agency.

La Casa's Center for Financial Stability has services that include VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) Program, Employment Program, Financial Stability (Financial Coaching) and we are now a HUD approved Housing Counseling Agency offering education and counseling for those who have the goal of homeownership. We connect individuals to community resources both in and outside of La Casa de Esperanza. Our services provide an array of tools to an individual working towards improved financial stability.

Sanchez said the community cookout was something the CFS team wanted to do for the community because "we work with those who struggle and wanted to show the community La Casa cares."

She told Patch people in the community are struggling as a result or ripple effect of the pandemic.

"Often our low-to-moderate income households struggle to meet basic needs and the ripple effect and impact of the pandemic only elevated the needs," Sanchez said.

A hot meal, a WE Energies savings kit and personal hygiene items some of the things they will be offering on Friday. It will be first come, first serve, no questions asked until supplies last.

"When Landmark Credit Union heard the idea they were generous to support this event to purchase the food and supplies. So far we are prepared to serve 250 lunches. We will offer a choice of hot dog, brat or hamburger, with chips to go with a cup of hot chili, fruit, cookie, water, coffee and hot chocolate," Sanchez said.