The North Philly nonprofit works to “protect our community” from a growing displacement threat. Valerie Diaz Pagan, her husband, and their four children — three of whom are autistic — were living in her mom’s house in Juniata, all six of them staying in one room. “We had the bedrooms upstairs. One room was basically…

Photographer: I. George Bilyk Written by Jane M. Von Bergen, For The Inquirer Talk to most nonprofit chief executives, and they’ll be able, on cue, to recite a heartwarming story about someone their organizations helped. And the Rev. Luis Cortés Jr., Esperanza’s founder and chief executive, can do it, too. But he’d rather talk about a…

When hope can be hard to find, one nonprofit has been building it for 40 years. From affordable housing to immigration services, Esperanza is proving a path out of poverty to the American dream can still happen. A $50,000 gift is helping their mission to keep families safe, housed and heard. Action News reporter Christie…

Illustration by P. Binkley. Rev. Luis Cortés Jr., the founder and CEO of Esperanza, discusses his path to service and his passion for supporting North Philadelphia Latino communities. A 2019 recipient of the Philadelphia Award, the Rev. Luis Cortés Jr., 67, has come a long way from working after school at his father’s grocery store,…

Who/What: Esperanza College will host a celebration with students, faculty, and stakeholders recognizing 25 years of providing accessible, faith-based higher education to thousands of students in North Philadelphia and beyond. Many of Esperanza College’s students are the first to attend college, Spanish speakers, working adults, traditional college students, dual enrollment, and early college students. Founded…

Today, during the 2025 Minorities in Health Sciences Symposium, nearly 400 young people from over a dozen high schools will come together to learn from doctors and healthcare professionals across the field. Among them is Dr. Jaleesa Jackson of Jefferson Health, who will inspire the next generation of leaders with a session focused on “A…

Esperanza College is proud to announce the ninth annual Minorities in Health Sciences Symposium, an event aimed at promoting diversity and representation in the healthcare industry. The symposium will take place on Friday, November 14, 2025, at the Esperanza College campus in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Minorities in Health Sciences Symposium will bring together approximately 400 high school students, educators, healthcare professionals, and community leaders to engage in meaningful discussions and…