Philadelphia, PA (May 11, 2022) – After being selected as one of 20 US and Canadian cities to receive a TD Green Space Grant, Esperanza Housing and Economic Development (EHED) has announced plans to use the $20,000 USD in funds to advance greening efforts within the context of its comprehensive community engagement initiatives.
Located in the heart of Hispanic North Philadelphia, EHED is putting these funds to use to plant approximately 90 trees in the neighborhood working through its grassroots organizing team, which includes staff focused on civic participation, block level outreach, and small business technical assistance. On May 12th, EHED will host the first “Night Market,” featuring local vendors and performances. Hosted in collaboration with Esperanza Arts Center, this event is an opportunity to celebrate each block and tree recipient. Youth will educate residents at “Tree-formation” tables where event visitors can learn about the tree programs happening right in their neighborhood, as well as tree care tips and tree myth busters.
TD provides funding for the grants, which are awarded annually for tree planting, maintenance costs and educational activities. The program is administered by the Arbor Day Foundation. TD Green Space Grants are made possible as part of the TD Ready Commitment, TD’s global corporate citizenship platform, aimed at opening doors to a more inclusive and sustainable tomorrow.
“Green spaces are essential to our local communities because they serve as a place for all of us to connect with nature and each other. We’re proud to continue to work with the Arbor Day Foundation to improve the quality of our environment and help create a more inclusive and sustainable future for North Philadelphia and all the communities we serve,” said Shelley Sylva, Head of U.S. Corporate Citizenship at TD Bank.
“Esperanza has been dedicated to strengthening our local community by empowering residents with training, education and trees that beautify our local business corridors and make our community a healthier place to live. The funding from TD Bank and Arbor Day will be pivotal as we invite others to celebrate the work taking place and become active participants in that change,” VP of Community Organizing, Quetcy Lozada.
To be eligible for a grant, qualified municipalities must be located within TD’s operating footprint in Canada and the United States. Priority was given to projects occurring in underserved areas of local communities. In addition to EHED’s grant, other grant recipients this year are located in:
- Baltimore, Maryland
- Passadumkeag, Maine
- Jacksonville, Florida
- Providence, Rhode Island
- Brooklyn, New York
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (2)
- Bronx, New York
- Miami, Florida
- Washington D.C.
- Hackensack, New Jersey
For more information on the grant process, visit arborday.org/programs/tdgreenspacegrants.
About Esperanza Housing & Economic Development:
Esperanza is a national community-based social benefit organization founded in 1986 by The Reverend Luis Cortés Jr. and the Hispanic Clergy of Philadelphia & Vicinity to serve and advocate for “the least of these” (Matthew 25:40), with a mission to strengthen Hispanic communities. Esperanza Housing & Economic Development is a subsidiary 501c (3) founded by Esperanza with an emphasis on community engagement, housing and economic development. Programs include tree tending, block to block ambassadors, small business technical assistance and corridor management, among other services. Visit www.esperanza.us or follow us on social media @esperanza_us on Twitter and Instagram, EsperanzaUSA on Facebook and Esperanza US on YouTube.
About the Arbor Day Foundation:
Founded in 1972, the Arbor Day Foundation has grown to become the largest nonprofit membership organization dedicated to planting trees, with more than 1 million members, supporters, and valued partners. Since 1972, almost 500 million Arbor Day Foundation trees have been planted in neighborhoods, communities, cities and forests throughout the world. Our vision is to lead toward a world where trees are used to solve issues critical to survival.
As one of the world’s largest operating conservation foundations, the Arbor Day Foundation, through its members, partners, and programs, educates and engages stakeholders and communities across the globe to involve themselves in its mission of planting, nurturing, and celebrating trees. More information is available at arborday.org.
About the TD Ready Commitment:
TD has a long-standing commitment to enriching the lives of its customers, colleagues and communities. As part of its corporate citizenship platform, the TD Ready Commitment, TD is targeting CDN $1 billion (US $750 million*) in total by 2030 towards community giving in four areas critical to opening doors for a more inclusive and sustainable tomorrow – Financial Security, Vibrant Planet, Connected Communities and Better Health. Through the TD Ready Commitment, the bank aspires to link its business, philanthropy and human capital to help people feel more confident – not just about their finances, but also in their ability to achieve their personal goals in a changing world. For further information, visit www.td.com/tdreadycommitment.