Creating a sustainable opportunity community in North Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PA – November 16, 2018. Esperanza is hosting its second and largest tree planting event and press conference in partnership with the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) on Saturday, November 17th at Esperanza’s Middle School (4261 N 5th St, Philadelphia, PA 19140). The event is possible thanks to a grant by TD Green Streets that resulted in the first-ever bilingual (English/Spanish) Tree Tenders training, serving Hunting Park’s diverse community. Esperanza, along with partners and community residents, will be planting 39 trees, enhancing the neighborhood’s environment and providing beautiful, healthy spaces.
PHS brings expert knowledge and many years of experience to the partnership with Esperanza as we work towards creating a neighborhood that is sustainable to current residents and businesses while including the community in all phases of the project, stated David Ortiz, Senior VP of Esperanza Housing and Economic Development.
The tree planting will start with breakfast at 9 am, followed by the actual plantings from 10 am to 1:00 pm and will conclude with a lunch celebration and press conference from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm.
Esperanza is grateful to the many partners who have collaborated with us on this project, including the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, TD Bank, the Arbor Day Foundation and Philadelphia Parks and Recreations.
Individuals interested in volunteering can register here: http://bit.ly/HPPlanting
For more information visit www.esperanza.us/events
About Esperanza
Esperanza is a national community-based organization founded in 1987 by Rev. Luis Cortés and the Hispanic Clergy of Philadelphia & Vicinity with the biblical mandate to serve and advocate for “the least of these” (Matthew 25:40). Beginning with a local initiative, with programs targeted to address the unmet needs of North Philadelphia’s Hispanic community, Rev. Cortes is now sought by national and international leaders alike on issues of economic and workforce development, housing, immigration, and education. Under his leadership, Esperanza has grown from a small 20- person operation to a $40 million organization with more than 450 employees. Follow us on social media @esperanza_us on Twitter and Instagram, EsperanzaUSA on Facebook and Esperanza US on YouTube.
About The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society is a not-for-profit organization, founded in 1827, whose programs connect people to horticulture and collaboratively creates beautiful, healthy and sustainable communities. PHS’s best-known activities include the Philadelphia Flower Show, street tree planting and maintenance, community gardening, public beautification, and the PHS Pop Up Gardens. PHS is supported by individual members and supporters, foundations, partners and government grants. PHS programs bring together people from diverse backgrounds to engage in horticultural projects that advance social equity, environmental sustainability, and urban livability. For information or to support our work, visit PHSonline.org.
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Download official press release here.