Civic Leadership & Public Service
What began as participation in community events has grown into a meaningful chapter of civic leadership and public service for En Español.
Through sustained work in bilingual literacy, cultural programming, educational outreach, and community engagement, our founders Tien Nghiem and Tai Nghiem have helped En Español contribute to a growing range of civic initiatives across Naperville. This work reflects En Español’s belief that service should not stop at participation. It can grow into leadership, collaboration, and lasting contribution to the broader community.
Key Civic Involvement
Naperville Sister Cities FoundationEn Español supports cultural exchange, international friendship, student leadership, and community events that connect Naperville with global communities.
SECA CommissionEn Español’s civic involvement extends to the arts, public events, and community experiences that bring residents together and strengthen local cultural life.
Historic Preservation Commission
En Español recognizes the importance of local history, community identity, and the stories that shape Naperville across generations.
Community Projects & Events
5th Annual Hispanic Heritage Festival
En Español participated in the Naperville Sister Cities Foundation’s Hispanic Heritage Festival at Central Park, joining families, performers, artists, vendors, local organizations, and community leaders in celebrating Hispanic culture, language, music, and community. The event reflected the power of culture and language to create belonging and connection.
Brookdale Elementary School Multicultural Night
En Español helped plan, lead, and engage families during Brookdale Elementary School’s Multicultural Night on January 30, 2026. The event celebrated culture, language, and community while helping build a new collaboration with Brookdale’s 4th Grade Bookworm Club. Through this partnership, En Español Press will support young students in sharing their voices through published stories and artwork.
Young Artists and Authors Showcase Reception
En Español helped lead the 4th Young Artists and Authors Showcase reception at the Naperville Fine Art Center and Gallery. The event brought together Mayor Wehrli, Councilman Syed, families, teachers, and community members to celebrate young artists and authors ages 12–18. En Español supported promotion, organization, and hosting, helping create a public platform for youth creativity, cultural expression, and global friendship.
KidsMatter Teen Philanthropy Initiative Grant
En Español helped secure a 2026 KidsMatter Teen Philanthropy Initiative Grant supporting the Sister Cities Monarch Butterfly Garden project. This work included supporting the grant-writing process, requesting funding from the City of Naperville, and presenting at City Council meetings to help bring the project to life.
Monarch Butterfly Garden Project
This summer, En Español will help support the Monarch Butterfly Garden project at Knoch Knolls Nature Center. The initiative connects environmental education, conservation, international collaboration, and youth leadership through the monarch butterfly’s migration journey. The project also builds connections with communities in Patzcuaro, Michoacán, Mexico, including Ecosistemica, A.C., while promoting pollinator and monarch butterfly habitat restoration.
The Magical Journey of the Monarch Butterfly
Alongside the garden project, En Español Press and student artists from the Young Leaders Academy contributed original artwork and storytelling for The Magical Journey of the Monarch Butterfly. The book connects bilingual literacy, publishing, environmental education, and student creativity, helping young people use their voices to support conservation and community impact.
International Festival
Building from past participation in the Hispanic Heritage Festival, En Español is exploring ways to support an expanded International Festival that celebrates cultures, traditions, and global connections throughout Naperville. This future initiative reflects En Español’s continued commitment to cultural understanding, public engagement, and youth-led civic service.
Games Around the World
In partnership with KidsMatter, En Español is developing “Games Around the World,” a youth-centered project that will use cultural games, learning, and community interaction to help students connect with global traditions in an accessible and engaging way.
Continuing Impact
Together, these projects reflect En Español’s broader mission: building connection through language, literacy, culture, creativity, and service. We are grateful to the City of Naperville, Naperville Sister Cities, KidsMatter, Brookdale Elementary School, and our community partners for the trust and opportunity to contribute.
For En Español, civic leadership means more than holding roles. It means helping shape programs, partnerships, and spaces where young people and families feel represented, connected, and empowered.
