Our Mission
To turn creativity and compassion into community action through initiatives and events that bring people together, meet needs, and put God’s love into motion.
Rooted in care. Growing in purpose.
Giving hearts.
Stronger communities.
A better world.
Through music, the arts, and practical acts of giving, we put God’s love into action—bringing people together to inspire kindness, compassion, and change.
Esther Wise Community Development Corporation
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
CARE TAKES ROOT HEREEST. 2021
Give with love✦Inspire compassion✦Create change
Our purpose
Creativity.
Compassion.
Community action.
Our Promise
Meet people where they are.
Give with love.
Create change.
Our Vision
A world connected through creativity, strengthened by giving, and transformed by people who care.
Esther Wise Community Development Corporation was incorporated in 2021 and recognized as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 2022.
Our leadership
Melisa “Mel Rose”
Rodriguez
President · Founder
Melisa “Mel Rose” Rodriguez is the president and founder of Esther Wise Community Development Corporation.
She is the creator, director, and producer of The Rose Experience and Rising Roses.
A singer, songwriter, and community leader, Mel Rose draws on her experiences across diverse communities to bring music, the arts, and practical support together. Her vision is to inspire compassion and help create change in the world.
Connect with Esther Wise ↗“Change begins when we go where people are, listen to their stories, and give with love. When we meet people with compassion and walk alongside them, we open the door to a better world.”
— Melisa “Mel Rose” Rodriguez
Our initiatives
Care, in all its forms.
From a safer home to a shared meal, our initiatives reflect the everyday needs and extraordinary potential of our communities.
Prepare · Protect · Connect · Rebuild
Raise the Roof
September 2025 · Winter Park Event Center
A home should offer safety and peace. Our home repair and roof initiative centers on helping families move toward safer living conditions.
Homes & community restoration
Creativity · Confidence · Opportunity
Rising Roses
August 12, 2017 · Ballroom at the Bayou · Houston, Texas
Creating space for young talent to be seen and celebrated. Rising Roses recognizes the gifts and possibilities of young models, dancers, singers, musicians, and designers.
Explore the 2017 highlights ↗Youth & creative opportunity
Music · Art · Fashion · Purpose
The Rose Experience
December 4, 2016 · Ballroom at the Bayou · Houston, Texas
A platform for change that brings music, art, and fashion together with community purpose.
Creative expression & community
Nourishment · Compassion · Connection
Sunday Soup for the Soul
November 2025 · Path Light · Orlando, Florida
Food brings us to the table. Compassion makes us feel welcome. This meal initiative connects nourishment with care and human connection.
Meals & neighborly care
Storm response & recovery
The Recovery Hub
Ongoing
A community initiative focused on storm response and recovery support.
Community recovery & connection
Faith · Music · Creative expression
Sounds of Glory
Bringing faith, music, and creative expression into community outreach.
Worship & community connectionProgram activities and participation opportunities vary. This page introduces our initiatives; it does not confirm current enrollment, events, or assistance availability.
From our community archive · 2017
Rising Roses.
Talent with purpose.
August 12, 2017 · Ballroom at the Bayou · Houston, Texas
A look back at the performers, fashion, vendors, families, and community members who came together for Rising Roses.
A television moment with Debra Duncan
Rising Roses appeared on Debra Duncan’s show in Houston to promote the event and bring attention to its community purpose.
Photos and social media memories from Rising Roses. Select any image to view it in full.
The Rose Experience · December 2027
Bring your talent.
Help shape the experience.
Music. Art. Fashion. Purpose. We are building a volunteer and creative team for The Rose Experience, planned for December 2027.
Explore the roles needed below and prepare an introduction with your interests, experience, and availability. Event date, venue, and volunteer assignments will be confirmed as planning develops.
Volunteers & creative collaborators needed
Find a role where your gifts can make a contribution.
Fashion designers
Share your design vision and collaborate on the fashion presentation.
Prepare my introduction ↗Models & runway participants
Bring confidence and expression to the fashion presentation.
Prepare my introduction ↗Hair & makeup artists
Support styling and help participants prepare for their moment.
Prepare my introduction ↗Wardrobe & backstage assistants
Help with fittings, outfit organization, and backstage coordination.
Prepare my introduction ↗Singers, musicians & performers
Contribute your creative gifts to the music and arts experience.
Prepare my introduction ↗Visual artists & creative contributors
Bring art, design, and creative ideas to the event experience.
Prepare my introduction ↗Photographers & videographers
Help document the people, performances, and story of the event.
Prepare my introduction ↗Production & technical volunteers
Support sound, lighting, stage coordination, and technical preparation.
Prepare my introduction ↗Guest welcome & registration volunteers
Help guests feel welcomed and assist with check-in and directions.
Prepare my introduction ↗Setup, hospitality & event support
Assist with event preparation, team support, and cleanup.
Prepare my introduction ↗Outreach & social media volunteers
Help share event updates and connect the community with the experience.
Prepare my introduction ↗Sponsorship & partnership volunteers
Help identify potential partners and support relationship coordination.
Prepare my introduction ↗These are planning needs. Email your introduction to connect with the team. A volunteer role is confirmed only after coordination with Esther Wise.
Support the work
Help care
reach further.
Your generosity can help advance Esther Wise’s community initiatives and the people at the heart of them.
Explore giving or sponsorship ↗Giving through Zeffy
A place to give.
A purpose to support.
Support Esther Wise Community Development Corporation through our Zeffy donation page.
Donate Now ↗Opens our donation form on Zeffy in a new tab.
The heart of our work
“Change begins when we turn our hearts toward giving. Giving unlocks kindness and compassion, puts God’s love into action, and opens the way for transformation—in ourselves, in our communities, and in the world.”
Melisa “Mel Rose” Rodriguez
President & Founder
Get involved
Your gifts can help
something grow.
There is more than one way to show up for a community. Start with what you have: your time, your skills, your connections, or your capacity to give.
Start a conversation
Prepare your introduction, then choose Email my introduction to open it in your email app. Review and send it to info@estherwise.org. You can also call 407-218-2200.
Email my introduction ↗Give your time
Bring your skills, energy, and compassion to community projects and outreach.
Build a partnership
Connect your business, church, or organization with a shared purpose and opportunities to collaborate.
Support the vision
Explore future sponsorship, in-kind support, and giving opportunities with the team.
Help a story travel
Introduce someone to our work. A conversation can be the beginning of a new connection.