Día de los Muertos

This year, Casa Esperanza's Día de los Muertos celebration centered on the theme Returning Home/ Regresando a Casa, inspired by the journeys of monarch butterflies and migratory birds that travel great distances to return to familiar habitats. These journeys also offered a meaningful reflection on immigration and the experiences of families who leave their homes in search of new opportunities, carrying their cultures, traditions, and memories wherever they go. Through this connection, the theme explored what it means to find belonging away from home and remain connected to the places and people that shape us.

The celebration also paid homage to three special birds: the hummingbird, a traditional symbol of ancestors and an important pollinator; the house sparrow, a familiar bird in the San Fernando Valley; and the mourning dove, whose name and presence evoke remembrance and grief. Together, these birds represented the many ways migration, nature, and memory connect us to the places we call home.

Art and creativity played an important role in bringing this theme to life. Through a series of community art-making sessions, participants reflected on migration and the journeys of winged species while creating artwork using materials that might otherwise have been thrown away. Colorful cardboard snack boxes collected from Pacoima Beautiful programs and participants' households were repurposed into bird sculptures, allowing the original packaging designs to become part of each piece while reducing the need for additional paint. Saved chip and snack bags were also incorporated into the artwork, highlighting the possibilities of creative reuse and waste reduction.

In partnership with the Corita Art Center and artist Desiree Sanchez, community members created a box tower sculpture inspired by the legacy of Corita Kent, an artist and member of the Immaculate Heart Community, whose sisters first established Casa Esperanza. Continuing their legacy of creativity and community, participants decorated boxes representing what Casa Esperanza means to them, bringing their stories together in one collective artwork.

The celebration also featured calaveras made by youth, transformed from recycled milk jugs, teaching them the importance of giving everyday materials new life. Another meaningful piece was a calavera sculpture made from fabric scraps. The artwork honored the Girasoles and their work creating reusable tote bags from leftover fabrics to support Mercado Pacoima. Together, these pieces reflects how art can celebrate cultural traditions while encouraging sustainability and community connection.

At the heart of the celebration was a commemorative community altar in the Casa Esperanza courtyard, offering a shared space to remember loved ones and keep their memories alive. Through months of preparation and community involvement, the celebration became more than an event. It was an opportunity to reconnect with our roots, honor the people and traditions that shape us, and celebrate the meaning of home.

We are grateful to everyone who contributed their time, creativity, and love to make this event possible. At Casa Esperanza, we believe that traditions are strongest when they are shared, and we are honored to continue celebrating Día de los Muertos alongside our community.