Feature Stories
PHOTO: Hispanic Network member Jose Delgado, left, registers Claudia Avila and Jakovs Itkins for the 2019 Copa America fundraiser.
BY GUS MORGAN
More than 10 years have passed, but geologist Jose Delgado still fondly recalls the first soccer pool fundraiser he helped coordinate for the ConocoPhillips Hispanic Network in support of Casa de Esperanza de los Niños, a Houston-based nonprofit that helps children in crisis due to abuse, neglect or HIV.
“That was the year Spain beat the Netherlands 1-0 to win the title,” said Delgado, a soccer enthusiast. “And that was the start of us leveraging the World Cup to make some real changes in our community.”
More than 100 ConocoPhillips employees and their families participated in that initial soccer pool, which coincided with the FIFA 2010 World Cup South Africa. The network raised $3,500 for Casa de Esperanza.
Fast forward to 2021, and the Hispanic Network’s passion for soccer and supporting Casa de Esperanza remains alive and well. This summer, 21 ConocoPhillips employees and their families showed their competitive spirit by predicting the outcomes of the 2021 Copa America and 2020 UEFA Euro soccer tournaments, raising more than $2,000 for Casa de Esperanza.
By using the soccer pools as fundraising tools, Delgado said, the Hispanic Network has been able to make a positive impact on Casa de Esperanza.
Casa de Esperanza
Casa de Esperanza (House of Hope) is a safe place for children in crisis due to abuse, neglect, or the effects of HIV. Visit www.casahope.org.
“At ConocoPhillips,” Delgado said, “the diversity of our workforce and our passion for sports enable us to support a noble cause like Casa de Esperanza and give back to our community.”
Since 2010, the Hispanic Network has raised $22,400 for Casa de Esperanza through its soccer pools (including company match) with support from 663 ConocoPhillips employees and their families, as well as $41,000 in corporate contributions.
Technical innovation: In 2021, the Hispanic Network moved it soccer pools from a manual Excel file to PowerApp, saving submission time for participants as well as automating the points calculation and score dashboard.
‘A safe and healthy environment’
Jorge Florez Guzman, reservoir engineering analyst, said the soccer pools reflect the heart and soul of the Hispanic Network.
“Casa’s mission aligns with our SPIRIT Values,” he said. “They’re protecting our community’s most vulnerable children, impacting their evolution in a positive way, and providing them with a safe and healthy environment.”
The soccer pools also serve as a social glue, he said, strengthening connections and fostering collaboration among colleagues.
“Soccer brings us together," he said. "It’s a universal language. We enjoy talking about soccer, scores, better players. I have so much fun participating and promoting the soccer pools.”
‘Grateful for the longtime partnership’
Since 2003, the Hispanic Network has led ConocoPhillips’ fundraising efforts for Casa de Esperanza, with the company donating nearly $180,000 to the nonprofit.
“We are incredibly grateful for the longtime partnership ConocoPhillips’ Hispanic Network has with Casa de Esperanza,” said Melissa Simon, chief executive officer of Casa de Esperanza. “From soccer pool fundraisers to volunteer days to securing corporate grant funding, network members have supported Casa de Esperanza’s children and families in every way possible. As a nonprofit that does not charge for services or accept government funding, it is organizations like ConocoPhillips’ Hispanic Network who make it possible for us to provide hope and a home to vulnerable children throughout greater Houston.”
‘I can’t think of a better investment’
Project Engineer Al Velasquez said the Hispanic Network’s longtime partnership with Casa de Esperanza has made a positive impact on the Greater Houston community.
“We have witnessed firsthand the big impact that they have in the lives of the kids they support,” he said. “They provide care, housing, meals, safety and stability for children in need within our community. I can’t think of a better investment or a more worthy cause.”
Casa de Esperanza, he said, embodies ConocoPhillips’ SPIRIT Values of Safety, People and Responsibility.
“Casa provides the most vulnerable kids in our community with a safe place to live and grow,” he said. “It’s rewarding to know we can support a good cause while also developing a good rapport with our colleagues through a fun-spirited competition like our soccer pools.”
Velasquez said he always looks forward to filling-in his soccer pools and seeing how his predictions stack-up against his colleagues.
“Although I always score disappointingly low,” he said, “it’s all for fun and a good cause.”
The Hispanic Network's 2022 soccer pool fundraiser will feature the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
About the Hispanic Network
Mission: Provide a platform to empower, support and facilitate the development of its members to achieve individual, corporate and community objectives
Focus areas: Professional development; cultural awareness; social and professional networking; community involvement; workforce recruitment and retention
Origin: Started in January 1992 as the Alianza Hispana (Hispanic Alliance)
Membership: 446 (including satellite locations)
