DVULI Partners with Esperanza at 2018 National Hispanic Prayer Breakfast
Esperanza was overjoyed the DeVos Urban Leadership Initiative (DVULI) partnered with us at the 2018 National Hispanic Prayer Breakfast and Conference as a leader in the Hispanic community. The conference was held June 12-14, 2018 at the Grand Hyatt Washington, in Washington, D.C. Esperanza was especially proud to have DVULI as the Lead Sponsor amongst 28 partnering organizations, religious groups, and universities.
Esperanza’s 12th national advocacy conference was also exciting for DVULI’s own Zoraida Velez-Delgado, the Training and Curriculum Development Manager of its leadership training program. As part of her role, Vélez-Delgado has created a Hispanic Advisory Committee to gain knowledge of current issues affecting the Hispanic community of believers with the purpose of providing opportunities for first generation pastors to become more aware of training opportunities for their youth pastors. “Preparing and empowering Hispanic urban youth leaders is an important part of what we do. This is a passion we share with Esperanza.”
This year, DVULI is celebrating its 20thanniversary of making a positive impact on the lives of disadvantaged, urban youth by investing in their leaders. One way to celebrate 20 years of impact was to bring a group of DVULI alumni, who are currently working with the Hispanic Community, to the 2018 NHPB. Vélez-Delgado said, “DVULI has partnered with Esperanza since 2006 to provide our alumni with hands-on advocacy training at Capitol Hill. This is an event we look forward to and we are glad to be part of its success.” Thank you DVULI for leading the way and sponsoring our 2018 NHPB!
Honoring the DVULI Alumni at the 2018 NHPB
The DeVos Urban Leadership Initiative at their Capitol Hill visit at the 2018 NHPB
At the 2018 National Hispanic Prayer Breakfast, a group of DVULI alumni traveled to Washington, DC to represent their ministries and learn how to be an advocate for their communities.
Approximately 15 DVULI leadership and program alumni attended the event. After the conference, Vélez-Delgado said “It is such an honor to be able to bring DVULI alumni from Newark, NJ, San Antonio, TX, Phoenix, AZ, Columbus, OH, Denver, CO and Grand Rapids, MI to the NHPB. They acquired new skills, felt more confident in the art of advocacy and had a wonderful time.”
DVULI’s recognition at Esperanza’s NHPB as Lead Sponsor helped reinforce the need for collaboration in our community and validated the importance of continuing to equip our community leaders with tools to move forward.
DVULI Receives Partner Award from Esperanza at National Hispanic Prayer Breakfast
Ginny Vander Hart, Zoraida Vélez and Esperanza’s Rev. Danny Cortes celebrate together at the 2018 NHPB
DVULI and Esperanza trained leaders in the art of advocacy, connected with members of Congress on Capitol Hill, and celebrated together during Esperanza’s 2018 National Hispanic Prayer Breakfast. Esperanza also rolled out the red carpet during the 2018 NHPB Awards dinner which recognized non-profit and faith leaders from around the country.
Esperanza honored the DeVos Urban Leadership Initiative with the “Esperanza Partner Award”. DVULI was an early supporter of Esperanza’s conference, and the award was meant to thank them for their acts of “Corporate Citizenship as a Partner with Faith Communities.”As the Reverend Danny Cortés, Executive Vice President and Chief of Staff of Esperanza stated, “our missional commitments align so well. Activating people to serve is exciting and the basis for a great partnership. We work to change lives in His name.”
Overall, the Partner Award for DVULI validated the fantastic work the youth pastors and alumni engage in within the community.
It’s back to school at Esperanza!
It’s August, so you know what time it is—back to school!
August is an exciting time of year at Esperanza, with our Esperanza Academy Charter School, Esperanza Cyber School, Esperanza College, and AMLA school opening for students. Time to pack up those bags, go school shopping, and gear up for the new year!
We hope you’ll pray for our students, wish them well, and consider making a gift to continue our tradition of excellence in education in Hunting Park. We’re looking forward to the Fall!