Over the holidays, Orlando Cordero (MPPA ’15) gave Springfield youth a big gift. Or, rather, many, many gifts.
Cordero helped establish Hope for Kids last December and now sits on its board of directors. This new nonprofit organization works to meet the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of at-risk youth in Springfield. The first big project Hope for Kids undertook was to provide and deliver Christmas gifts to children who have a parent in prison.
For this project, Hope for Kids partnered with Angel Tree, a national program that allows churches to donate presents to children with imprisoned parents. Through donations from churches and other faith-based organizations in the Springfield area, Hope for Kids was able to give gifts to and visit with each of the region’s children with a parent in prison. Cordero himself visited 15 families around Christmastime.
Meeting the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of the city’s youth is a lofty goal. But Cordero’s coursework at the Center for Public Policy and Administration (CPPA) has helped him, through his role on the board, to set realistic goals and begin developing an effective organization. The class that has proven most helpful so far was Nonprofit Program Management, taught by Associate Professor Brenda Bushouse.
“Through that class, I was able to see how nonprofits work, and all the pieces that need to come together,” Cordero said. He found especially useful the units on program development, resource allocation and collaboration with outside organizations and partners. “I’m really thankful for that foundation,” he added.
Christmas may be over, but Cordero and others involved in Hope for Kids will continue to build on that foundation. Their next big project is hosting a series of Valentine’s Day banquets for children and their parents in various Springfield neighborhoods. “We want to let kids know they’re loved,” Cordero said.
He is reaching out to faith-based organizations throughout the city to secure spaces to hold the dinners. In addition to donated food and labor to staff the banquets, Hope for Kids has gotten residents at local senior centers to agree to knit hats for children who attend.
Cordero’s workload is picking up again now that CPPA classes are back in session. But this Springfield native plans to stay active on the Hope for Kids board throughout his time at CPPA. “There’s a lot of need in the local area. It’s a privilege to give back,” he said.