Esperanza del Barrio is a community membership organization that assists the empowerment of Mexican/Latino immigrants of El Barrio and their families through community organizing, legal/political education and leadership development. Our members work collectively on issues like the lack of self-sufficient economic alternatives and the harassment and discrimination by police and other local authorities.

Esperanza works to build an empowered immigrant community that is equipped with knowledge of their rights, pride in their cultural heritage, and information on economical survival. We envision a local community of immigrants and non-immigrants who understand each other’s hardships and work together to create a society in which every individual can freely exercise the right to work to support themselves and their families. The continued growth of our membership lends hope for the formation of an organized community capable of affecting the structures and policies that govern their lives.

Description and/or History:
Since its inception in February 2003, Esperanza’s membership base has grown to 520 Latinos from East Harlem, Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx. In addition to community organizing campaigns, Esperanza now offers a youth group, children’s tutoring, legal representation & advice, and workshops on job skills, leadership development, nutrition, cancer prevention, mental health, parenting skills, and domestic violence.
Esperanza del Barrio was founded by a group of five Latina women ready to organize to create positive change both in their lives and in their community. These women had the desire to affect the institutions and outdated policies that prevent them from supporting their families and contributing fully to the community in which they actively participate. Fed up with police abuse and anti-immigrant restrictions on the street vendor license application process, vendors organized to learn and assert their rights.

Since February 2003, Esperanza’s membership base has grown to 320 Latinos from East Harlem, Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx. In addition to community organizing campaigns, Esperanza now offers a youth group, children’s tutoring, legal representation & advice, and workshops on job skills, leadership development, nutrition, cancer prevention, mental health, parenting skills, and domestic violence.

Contact people:

Netza Moreno, Associate Director, (212) 289-9025, (email) Sydney Cespedes, Tutoring Coordinator, (email) Claude Davila, Program Coordinator, (212) 289-9025, (email)

Address:

2290 Second Avenue New York, NY 10035 (See a map)

Directions:

Take the 6 train to 116th st. Walk E on 116th and make a left on 2nd avenue. We are located between 117th and 118th on the E side of the street.   Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: #6/116th st,   Walk distance (in minutes): 5   Nearest Bus Stop: M116/ Second Avenue, 2 minute walk