‘Puentes de Esperanza’ Recognized with 2024 Civic Award of Year

Puentes de Esperanza, a program of Hoyleton Youth and Family Services in Fairview Heights, Ill., was honored in August 2024 with the Civic Award of the Year during the 2024 Adelante Awards. The ceremony took place at the Four Seasons Hotel & Spa in downtown St. Louis. The event, aptly themed “Gateway to Growth,” was organized by the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro St. Louis, aiming to spotlight the remarkable contributions and accomplishments of individuals, entrepreneurs, and corporations in the region.

“What an incredible honor it was for Puentes de Esperanza to receive this award. Our dedicated team of bilingual staff works tirelessly to provide care and support, advocate for individuals, and connect them to vital services and resources,” said Kristen Shinn, director of community support services at Hoyleton Youth and Family Services. “This work cannot be accomplished alone or in isolation. We collaborate with countless partners, donors, program funders, and community leaders to create an environment where families can excel and thrive.”

Puentes de Esperanza was created in 2004 when Hoyleton formed a partnership with the UCC’s Illinois South Conference to establish a “church without walls” initiative aimed at addressing the needs of the growing Latinx population in the area. Two decades later, Puentes de Esperanza is a leading service provider for Spanish-speaking families across Southern Illinois, recognized as one of the most trusted resources for the area’s immigrant population, especially for those with limited English proficiency.

Puentes de Esperanza offers a variety of community-based programs and services, including case management, interpretation and translation, outreach and educational workshops, bilingual counseling, and much more.