Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do Nueva Esperanza and Esperanza USA relate to Esperanza?
A: In 1987, the Reverend Luis Cortés, Jr., along with the Hispanic Clergy of Philadelphia and Vicinity, created Nueva Esperanza, an organization that addressed the unmet needs of the Latino community in this city. Fifteen years later, in 2002, this local organization established Esperanza USA as its national subsidiary, implementing various national initiatives and serving as an intermediary between government agencies and Hispanic faith- and community-based organizations. In 2007, both the Philadelphia initiatives of Nueva Esperanza and the national initiatives of Esperanza USA merged, creating Esperanza, the largest Hispanic faith-based non-profit community development organization in the United States and a leading voice for Hispanics of faith in the nation.

Q: How can I request an interview with Rev. Luis Cortés, Jr. or other program leaders at Esperanza?
A: You may contact Arlene Larsen, to request an interview with either Rev. Luis Cortés, Jr. or other program leaders at Esperanza. Send an e-mail to press@esperanza.us.

Q: Are Esperanza Academy Charter High School and Esperanza College related to Esperanza, the organization?
A: Yes, they both are. These two learning institutions are the realization of Rev. Cortés’ dream to provide quality education in the Latino Corridor of North Philadelphia. Both institutions began operations in 2000.

The Esperanza Academy Charter High School is a comprehensive college preparatory high school for grades 9 through 12. The school’s student body is 92 percent Latino and 8 percent African American. With an attendance rate of 88 percent, a drop out rate of .3 percent (only 2 of 630 students dropped out), a graduation rate of 70 percent (20 percent higher than the citywide Latino graduation rate), and 95 percent college acceptance—all this during the 2006–2007 academic year—the Academy is quickly becoming a model for Philadelphia schools.

For the 2005 and 2006 school years, the Academy met adequate yearly progress (AYP) standards for No Child Left Behind, and it is the only one of three neighborhood (non-magnet) high schools in the city to achieve AYP status for two consecutive years. The Academy’s waiting list of 500 student attests to its powerful reputation. 

Esperanza College of Eastern University is a two-year college branch campus operated out of Esperanza’s headquarters in North Philadelphia, in partnership with Eastern University of St. David’s, Pennsylvania.

Students who attend Esperanza College can obtain an associate of arts degree in one of three concentrations: business administration, early childhood education, and community and human services. Esperanza College’s classes are unique because they offer students with language challenges classes in Spanish and English. Upon earning their associate’s degree from Esperanza College, students are then prepared to transfer to four-year colleges and universities.

Q. Is the National Hispanic Prayer Breakfast a political event?
A: While the National Hispanic Prayer Breakfast features political leaders as invited speakers, it is not a political event. It is a time of prayer and reflection by the Hispanic community’s religious leaders. Esperanza is a bipartisan organization and invites and features political representatives and leading figures from both political parties to speak on salient issues confronting the Hispanic community. It is a yearly event hosted by Esperanza for the benefit and enrichment of its constituents who gather together to offer prayer for their communities and to address those issues affecting their communities with their elected representatives.

Q: Does Esperanza make grants?
A: From time to time, Esperanza secures public or private grant support that allows us to make sub-grants or re-grants. When we are fortunate enough to secure these funds, we design and request proposals to make those funds available in accordance with the funding agency.

Esperanza sees this as consistent with its mission to strengthen the capacity, services and abilities of faith-based and community organizations already doing good work in the Hispanic community. We are constantly seeking funding sources that allow us to strengthen and grow our network of community organizations. For a list of current projects, please CLICK HERE.

Q: How can I get more information about Esperanza?
A: You may contact Arlene Larsen, for more information on Esperanza or any of its programs. Send an e-mail to press@esperanza.us.