Esperanza was established in 1987 when the Hispanic Clergy of Philadelphia and Vicinity, led by the Reverend Luis Cortés, Jr., saw the need to be proactive to the needs of the Latino community of this city. Like a tree growing stronger and bearing more fruit each year, in 2002 Esperanza expanded its reach, bringing hope to Latino communities across America through national and international initiatives.

The organization has had dramatic impact on thousands of lives and hundreds of organizations since its inception. We focus our work on five key areas: Community Development; Capacity Building; Workforce Development; Education; and Advocacy, as expressed in the National Hispanic Prayer Breakfast and Conference. Through our work, we strive to show God’s love and care by mobilizing and equipping Latino people to serve and advocate for our Hispanic community.