Today we’d like to introduce you to Laura Hope Whitaker
Hi Laura Hope, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I became involved with esp (formally known as Extra Special People) as a freshman at the University of Georgia. It was impossible to know then that at the young age of 19, I would become the organization’s leader. Alongside my team that has grown from just me to 40, I have identified the key, unique differentiators in leadership that translated into millions of dollars in fundraising for an underserved community of people with disabilities.
https://www.laurahopewhitaker.com/about-laura
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
In 2003, I began volunteering at ESP as a college student. Martha Wyllie, ESP’s Founder and volunteer Executive Director, was diagnosed with cancer less than a year later.
Months following her passing, I received a call that changed my life, asking for me to step up and fill Martha’s role. While a daunting request, I knew it was the next right thing.
The challenges were seemingly insurmountable! I was 19 years old, and needed to raise more than $50,000 to run a summer camp, recruit a team of camp counselors, while keeping the magic that Martha had created, all while finishing my sophomore year of college. I dug deep into my well of strength found in my faith. I rallied the community, raising the funds needed for my first summer camp.
Now, after nearly 20 years, serving as the CEO, I look back over the decades of humble leadership to see millions of dollars raised to serve nearly 1200 families, build a multi-million dollar complex in Athens, expanding to new cities: Atlanta & Rome, and beyond. Me and the ESP team have no plans of slowing down – the need for ESP in communities is great, but the opportunity is greater.
https://www.laurahopewhitaker.com/about-laura
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
ESP exists to create transformative experience for people with disabilities & their families, changing communities for the better! The nonprofit organization has been serving people with disabilities and their families since 1986 with an ever expanding offering of after-school programs, weekend clubs, employment opportunities, eight-week long summer camp and family resources. ESP now reaches over 1,000 people and will continually strive to grow in its capacity to serve the thousands of individuals with disabilities in the region and around the country, providing new, innovative and accessible experiences for kids and adults of all abilities in their community to thrive.
Pricing:
- Not really applicable here, but no family ever pays more than 20% for the cost of services.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.laurahopewhitaker.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurahopewhitaker/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LauraHWhitaker/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoz1HCrIKdSYxe2Cwz_lWpQ AND https://www.youtube.com/@espinc/featured
- Other: https://espyouandme.org/
