Sueños y Esperanza: Karaoke, Friendship, and Acceptance
By: Melanie Sambrano
In the heart of Lynwood, California, stands the 20-year-old cultural shopping center known as Plaza Mexico. Over 400,000 sq. ft. of shops, an indoor swap meet, dining and entertainment options, and replicas of famous cultural Mexican symbols. For years, Plaza Mexico has hosted many festivals and performances for national holidays, including Día de los Muertos and Cinco de Mayo. What some residents may not know is that Plaza Mexico is also home to a weekly social and entertainment event held for children and young adults with autism, Down syndrome, and other forms of neurodivergence.
Hosted by the non-profit organization Sueños y Esperanza, families and friends from the Lynwood community and surrounding areas gather every Friday from 5 pm to 10 pm to dance, sing karaoke, and have a great time.
The event is held at the Plaza Mexico Gazebo, near the replica of El Ángel de la Independencia, a symbol of Mexico’s nationhood. The gazebo is surrounded by dark green intricately designed metal benches, stores, restaurants, and a paleteria, or ice cream parlour. A makeshift dance floor was situated in front of the gazebo, along with speakers and a DJ music set up on a white table. The gazebo was adorned with red, purple, and blue papel picado hanging from the ceiling. A white banner with a pink border and blue letters reading “Sueños y Esperanza” hung at one of the steps of the gazebo.
Over 70 people- families, couples, children, and young adults- gathered to show up for the community and contribute to the welcoming and safe environment curated for individuals with neurodivergence. Attendees even brought their own picnics and lawn chairs, which they arranged on both sides of the makeshift dance floor.
Marlen kicked off the event with an opening prayer, uniting the attendees through religion and community. Followed by the first performer, Edgar, singing Cumbia de la Cobra, which encouraged many children to take to the dance floor with their friends and family. Another notable performer was Ana singing Como la Flor, a staple in Latino families, written by the adored late Selena Quintanilla.
Sueños y Esperanza started 17 years ago in a small coffee shop at Plaza Mexico by 4 parents. These parents wanted to create a safe space for their children and the rest of the community. A place where they could be unapologetically themselves, free from the judgment of others, and a way to combat the isolation many were feeling. The coordinators of the organization include Humberto, Arturo, Carla, Mari, Martha, Irma, and Diane. They held their events at this coffee shop until the city gave them the larger space they have now. Diane Bolanos, social media manager of Sueños y Esperanza, shared this brief history about the organization and karaoke event in an interview, also sharing the other programs they offer, including a baseball team and a folklorico troupe.
Sueños y Esperanza was created due to the lack of opportunities for the neurodivergent community to feel the strength and love of a community. Many felt isolated; they feared being judged, and some parents struggled with accepting the diagnosis of their child. There are four programs within this organization: karaoke event, baseball team, folklorico troupe, and modeling. Together, these four pillars of extracurriculars and community events inspire the participants and their families, encourage them to make everlasting friendships, and see true change in their lives.
Martha Contreros, coordinator of Sueños y Esperanza, becomes emotional sharing what she and her fellow coordinators hope to accomplish with their events: “To decrease isolation for other families that do not feel that the kids are welcome within the community. Somehow to inspire them…eventually I hope that every kid deserves to be in the community, to be embraced…we’re looking for acceptance.” Some of the kids have experienced a form of abuse; with these events, the children find healing, and they contribute to mental health wellness.
“There’s a before and after, when you come here…once they (the parents) see that their child is accepted, their face changes. And that gives me a lot of motivation and inspiration.” – Martha Contreros, Sueños y Esperanza
Sueños y Esperanza recently celebrated their 17th anniversary in August with a glamorous banquet dinner, live music, dancing, and a crowning of a King and Queen. You can catch their events every week. The baseball team meets every Sunday morning at Ted Watkins Park in Los Angeles to play and enjoy a comforting lunch potluck afterwards. The karaoke event takes place every Friday evening at Plaza Mexico. Sueños y Esperanza emphasizes to those hearing about their organization for the first time: don’t be afraid. Don’t be afraid to take the step towards community. Your children are valued. They belong in this world, and we all have something to offer.
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