NORTH LITTLE ROCK, AR --The Butterfly Community Ministry a non-profit community service organization, was formed several years ago by members of North Little Rock’s First United Methodist church.



“In 2008, the board of directors of Butterfly decided to begin work on a project to provide assistance to the recent immigrant Hispanic population in North Little Rock,” said Mary Hoey project director. The project was called, Nueva Esperanza or New Hope.



Hoey has initiated different programs including free dance and art classes for Hispanic youth, tutoring and mentoring for middle school students learning English as a Second Language, and is working on many other projects to provide help to this community.



Mary is fluent in Spanish and has established a network of support for the project with many local community activists.



“Vincent Insalaco, a member of the board, has worked tirelessly for the Nueva Esperanza project and is committed to providing assistance for these recent immigrant families,” said Hoey.



Project New Hope (Nueva Esperanza) is also working closely with Maria Touchstone who is the Coordinator of the Second Language Acquisition program for the North Little Rock School District and also a member of the Butterfly Community Ministry board.



“Mary is working very closely with Padre Tomas and William Bruzatori from St. Anne’s Catholic church,” said Touchstone.



A lunch fundraiser was held in Monday, December 15, 2008 to celebrate the Day of the Kings for Project Nueva Esperanza.



The organization honored Senator Mary Anne Salmon, Senator Tracy Steele, North Little Rock Mayor Patrick Henry Hays, former Representative Jay Martin for their support of Butterfly Community Ministry. Governor Mike Beebe and ...