Daisy Garcia Montoya 
Education Reporter 

Azul Esperanza (Blue Hope) hosted its first sensory friendly festival, Celebrating Diversity, in the Northeast to bring a safe and welcoming event for neurodivergent children during Autism Awareness Month.

This organization, founded by Miriam Galan in 2024, is a community initiative that supports families raising neurodivergent youth, with a focus on Latino families by connecting them with resources, early intervention, and creating accessible environments and events. 

With April being Autism Awareness Month, Galan saw the need to create more events for neurodivergent children and youth and developed Azul Esperanza’s first sensory friendly festival.

The festival took place on Saturday, April 4th from 4-7 p.m. at Revolucion Educativa (RevEd)’s space located at 2301 Lexington Ave. 

As the event began, children participated in a high-energy mini trampoline class for participants, which was followed by an interactive music session led by The Harmony Project. 

Although this organization has hosted other neurodivergent friendly events that merge the arts, this was the first festival hosted by Azul Esperanza, which began planning the event last year.

“We decided to create this event because although activities for kids with special needs exist, many times they’re not accessible in Spanish or multicultural,” Galan said. “As a mother and advocate, I’ve seen firsthand the need for a safe space for our Latino families to feel included, have the resources, and not have to worry about language barriers.”

Galan says that her goal is to not only make events for children to enjoy but for their families and parents to also be able to partake in the activities, share in creating new memories, and continue to build a strong community. 

At the festival, community organizations involving autism issues or education participated by tabling and offering more information to attendees. Many organizations were present including: Mision Despegue, Neuru, Literacy KC, El Centro, Ollin Amellaly, Show Me KC, True Voice, Harmony Project and Revolucion Educativa, among others. 

Community members and family walked around as they received new information, made connections, and accepted free goodies. With over 40 participants, the festival remained a full house as community members stopped by and participated. Additionally, families participated in giveaways including games and activities for children.

True Voice’s founder, Stepanie Answer, a licensed Spellers Method provider, who participated as a partner and parent, said that this Sensory Festival gave the Northeast community an opportunity to bring people together to celebrate children and families in an environment of genuine welcome.

True Voice, which is an organization focused on supporting nonspeaking, minimal speaking, and unreliably speaking individuals through one-on-one sessions, parents and caregiver coaching, and collaboration with schools, participated in the festival providing parents with more information on its mission and how it could further aid parents.

“Azul Esperanza is an essential partner and collaborator, offering encouragement not only to the families they serve but also to the community alongside them. They are filling a critical gap by raising awareness about children with disabilities, expanding access to information, resources, and support while working to break down the barriers many families face,” Answer said. 

Since the festival was sensory friendly, Answer said that her family was able to enjoy an outing together with her whole family. “As a parent of an autistic, nonspeaking child with high support needs, I can say there are very few places where our whole family can truly show up together. I watched my son be his full self and have a wonderful time,” Answer said. 

As parents walked around observing and learning about different organizations, children walked and played among the various sensory activities placed on different tables. Children participated in cookie decorating, making bracelets, exploring different textures, and making their own water globes. 

Families shared the sentiment that the event allowed them to meet other families that faced a similar journey with their children and autism while celebrating that same diversity and bringing fun to the children.

Attendees enjoyed pizza, fruit and music as the laughter of children was heard around the room as they went from table to table exploring the different activities. 

Community member Genesis Sagastume says that she’s been involved with the organization for the past two years, participating in events and conferences hosted by Azul Esperanza. 

As a mother of a young girl with special needs, Sagastume felt that the organization provided her with important information regarding education rights for children with special needs, how to get involved and more activities where children can feel included.

“Azul Esperanza became a pillar for our family. I am grateful to this organization for all the information and support they have provided for us,” Sagastume said. 

For more information on Azul Esperanza or upcoming events, please visit their page on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/share/1CZ4wSDLMp/?mibextid=wwXIfr or visit their website at: https://azulesperanza.org/