“It began with housing…”

Although our organization started with the development of quality affordable housing for families, our other program areas speak to a wider vision.

To date, Esperanza has developed nine buildings. Through new construction and rehabilitation of substandard housing, we have provided 165 local families with quality housing.

We have built two day care centers, three community training rooms, and catalyzed the development of two community parks.  

Esperanza Community Housing is a founding member of the Figueroa Corridor Community Land Trust, aim of which is to acquire land that can be developed into affordable rentals and home ownership properties.

In the face of rapid over-development and climbing rents, increasing numbers of individuals are being forced into homelessness.

We are determined to fight this trend and to continue to provide decent, affordable housing opportunities.

We are also founding members of the Los Angeles Healthy Homes Collaborative and the Figueroa Corridor Coalition for Economic Justice.

“What makes a healthy neighborhood?”
 
Esperanza‘s Promotora de Salud (Community Health Promoters Program) catalyzes local health leadership by providing an intensive six-month training in community health for bilingual residents.  Esperanza then connects graduates to internships and jobs offering livable wage salaries and benefits. 

Additionally, Esperanza’s Health Programs include a number of model collaborative projects, including Rescatando Salud / Health Rescue Early Child Immunization Collaborative, Sonrisas de Esperanza/ Oral Health education, and EsperanSalud – a permanent health booth located at the Mercado la Paloma. At EsperanSalud, Health Promoters offer health education, provide fitness training & yoga classes and refer community members to local health and social service organizations.

The Esperanza Community Health Promoters are an integral part of many local health and social services agencies, holding a variety of positions at clinics such as St. John’s Well Child and Family Center facilities, South Central Family Health Center, and Queens Care clinics. Health Promoters are also essential to Esperanza’s Housing Policy work. 

Over the past nine years, we have developed a model Healthy Homes Program that examines the connection between housing and health.  Our Healthy Homes team visits local families, providing health education, advocacy and referrals, as well as conducting environmental sampling and health surveys.  (link to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it )  

What builds a prosperous community?

The Mercado la Paloma is Esperanza’s community economic development project.  Built out of the remains of a garment sweat shop and warehouse, the Mercado is now a vibrant and colorful gathering place for great food, handicrafts and other small businesses. At the Mercado we provide affordable rents, a supportive atmosphere and business assistance. We are home to sixteen successful family-owned business and eight non-profit organizations.  (link to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it )

“What makes an enlightened community?”

Esperanza’s Education programs annually serve hundreds of school aged children through homework assistance, and off-track tutoring. In the evening we provide English as a Second Language (ESL) for adults, providing educational opportunities for the entire family.

“What makes a creative community?”

The Esperanza Arts and Science Program provides quality arts and science, and nature opportunities for residents in South Central Los Angeles, who, if they follow only the wisdom of their eyes, would believe the earth is made from concrete. Esperanza’s Art & Science program enables children and their families to experience the cultural, artistic, and natural richness of Southern California through art classes, workshops, festivals and concerts. Though our Arts and Science program, local children find and develop their creative skills while learning about the natural world around them.   (link to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it )  

In all of our programs, Esperanza offers opportunity to more than 80,000 individuals per year.  

The staff of Esperanza continues to grow and provide urgently needed services to our community.    We thank you for your interest in Esperanza. Please join our email list and stay in touch.