FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 26, 2015. Philadelphia, PA. – Esperanza, Inc. will host a special panel discussion called “My Brother’s Life Matters” in North Philadelphia this Thursday, October 29th at 12:00 PM, addressing how the church can be used as a bridge between law enforcement and the community during times of crisis. Featured panelists include Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey, Baltimore Pastor Joshua Smith, Esperanza President & CEO Rev. Luis Cortes, and moderated by ABC 6 Anchor Walter Perez.
“This panel discussion comes towards the end of a trying year for communities of color all across our country,” says the Reverend Luis Cortes, Founder, President and CEO of Esperanza. “Esperanza wants to have an open and honest dialogue about how the church can be a part of the solution and a vehicle for peace and understanding with the community and those who have been called to, protect and serve.”
“My Brother’s Life Matters” is part of a conference known as The Esperanza Capacity Institute, which invites community leaders across the country to Philadelphia for two days of workshops geared towards building capacity for non-profit professionals in their specialized fields. Experts offer workshops that help address organizational issues, administrative processes, finances, and marketing as well as improve leadership and effectiveness.
This year, Esperanza provided a special workshop track for law enforcement and police chaplains dealing with issues ranging from crisis ministry to suicide prevention with members of the Philadelphia Police Department and the Baltimore Police Department participating as facilitators.
The panel discussion is closed to the public, except for members of the media, those pre-registered for the Esperanza Capacity Institute, and invited special guests. To learn more about the Esperanza Capacity Institute, please visit www.esperanza.us/eci-2015.
###
Esperanza, the premiere Hispanic Evangelical faith-based network in the country, was founded in 1987 by the Reverend Luis Cortés Jr. and the Hispanic Clergy of Philadelphia and Vicinity. With a national network of over 13,000 Hispanic congregations, faith and community based agencies, Esperanza is a leading voice for Hispanics in America. To read more, please visit www.esperanza.us.