Honoring and Congratulating Esperanza on the Occasion of its 30th Anniversary.

WHEREAS, Esperanza is one of the largest Hispanic faith-based Evangelical networks in the United States. With a national network of over 13,000 faith and community-based agencies, Esperanza has become one of the leading voices for Latinos in America; and

WHEREAS, In 1986, Reverend Luis Cortés, Jr., with the help of

Hispanic Clergy of Philadelphia & Vicinity,

founded Esperanza. Guided by the biblical mandate to serve and advocate for “the least of these,” Rev. Cortés created

a faith-based network that not only transformed the Latino community, but innovated programs and services which strengthened Philadelphia’s educational, social, and political sectors; and

WHEREAS, From its humble beginnings in a church basement at York and Hancock Streets, Esperanza has grown into a large network that includes the City's most successful welfare-to-work center, offices for immigration legal services, housing counseling and economic development, AMLA's Latin School of Performing Arts, Esperanza College of Eastern University, and the nationally-ranked Esperanza Academy Charter School. Under Rev.

Cortés’ leadership, Esperanza has grown from 20 to 350 employees and has a $35 million annual operating budget

; and

WHEREAS, For 30 years, Esperanza has provided services to North Philadelphia’s Latino community through a variety

of programs specifically designed to empower people through education, economic development, and advocacy.

Generations of families benefit from Esperanza’s services and programs, which include afterschool arts programming, educational institutions, and immigration legal services; and

WHEREAS, On the national level, Esperanza is an intermediary that provides capacity-building skills and grants to faith-based organizations around the country. Esperanza is also the founder and host of the Annual National Hispanic Prayer Breakfast and Conference in Washington, DC – one of the largest conveners of Hispanic clergy across the nation; and

WHEREAS, The Council of the City of Philadelphia is pleased recognize Esperanza’s board of directors, leadership, and staff for their invaluable efforts to empower Latinos. Furthermore, the City is grateful for Esperanza’s commitment to continue its legacy as one of the leading voices for the Hispanic community in Philadelphia and the country; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby honors and congratulates Esperanza on the occasion of its 30th Anniversary.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Esperanza’s President and CEO Reverend Luis Cortés, Jr., further evidencing the sincere admiration and respect of this legislative body.

End