As an organization dedicated to strengthening Hispanic communities, we are grateful for all of our programs, departments, and nonprofit subsidiaries for working to realize our mission. We also work with many community partners to increase our reach and create new opportunities for Latinos in North Philadelphia and beyond. Here are just a few of the great things we’ve been able to accomplish during Hispanic Heritage Month to fortify our position as a Latino organization for the posterity of our neighborhood, our city, and our people.
This September through October, Esperanza Academy Charter High School students had their first solo art show at the Helen Millard Children’s Gallery at the Woodmere Art Museum. Esperanza Academy Art Teacher Zafka Banks-Christense has done an extraordinary job in honing her students’ talents as well as promoting their work.
On October 1st and 2nd the Esperanza Capacity Institute provided an educational opportunity for community leaders to learn from other professionals in their fields in order to strengthen their businesses, organizations, and congregations. The special guest speakers were Grammy Award Winner Marcos Witt and Social Media Director for Enlace TV Isaac Cubero.
Thanks to TreePhilly’s new Community Yard Tree Giveaway Grants, Esperanza was able to give away 90 trees to community members on October 7th and 9th. Esperanza’s Executive Director of Economic Development, Perfecta Oxholm said, “He who plants a tree plants hope. By distributing nearly 90 trees in two days, Esperanza is helping to plant hope in Hunting Park.”
This October, Esperanza Cyber Charter School launched an aggressive, engagement-focused marketing initiative called The ECCS Choice. ECCS provides a choice for students and parents who are looking for an accelerated graduation path, credit recovery, or simply a safe space to learn and study outside the traditional brick-and-mortar school system.
#YoSoyLaCara was launched in September to promote community and cultural pride. The message encourages individuals to post “selfies” via social media with the hashtag #YoSoyLaCara in order to represent that they are proud to be ‘the face’ of their community. The campaign has since grown outside of Hunting Park and has garnered support from community leaders across the region. We are taking Latino pride beyond Hunting Park and to many future Hispanic Heritage Months. Have you posted your selfie?