¡Gracias, Susana!

Susana with her family

How do you sum up nearly 30 years of faithful service to a community? We're not sure you can.

Susana Espinosa de Sygulla has served alongside Urban Ventures nearly since the beginning. For three decades, she's built relationships, programs, and opportunity that have deeply benefited our neighbors and strengthened our organization. While Susana is always quick to point to Jesus as the real source of transformation, her steady obedience to her calling has been central to making this work possible.

That is what makes today bittersweet. As Susana concludes her time at Urban Ventures, we are filled with deep gratitude as we reflect on her role in shaping our work, along with a tender ache as the page turns to her next chapter.

Even if you have never had the chance to meet Susana personally, you have seen her impact. From soccer programs to after school initiatives, and most recently the Cornwell Early Learning Center, Susana has been the architect behind many of the programs that define Urban Ventures today. Her entrepreneurial spirit, expansive network, and deep care for our neighbors allowed her to carve paths forward when others might have stopped.

There is no doubt that our mission and our neighborhood are stronger because of her faithfulness. It is that same faithfulness that has led Susana into her next season, where she will join the staff of one of our cherished local partners, Hope Academy, serving as a student advocate. We are grateful that her love for our neighbors, especially immigrant students, will continue to be a blessing in the community.

We hold tremendous gratitude for the legacy Susana leaves behind and for the countless lives shaped through her leadership and presence. We are grateful that God led her to Urban Ventures, and hopeful for all that God has ahead for her.

With deepest thanks,
the Urban Ventures team

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