Friends,

Thank you for visiting my fundraising page for Esperanza Health Centers! I am in my 5th and final year as Board Chair; beginning my 8th and final year on the Board; and 9th year as part of Team Esperanza. This award-winning, nationally-recognized community health center is dear to my heart, serving the Latino communities of my native Chicago south-side. You have helped me raise nearly $40,000 over eight years, and I would love to get to $50,000 raised before my time on the Board is up. Last year’s race was less than ideal for me, so I am looking forward to getting after it this year; spreading the word about this great organization; and raising badly needed funds for Esperanza’s communities. Let’s go get it together!

In 2004, residents of the low-income and primarily Latino neighborhood of Little Village joined with administrators from nearby Saint Anthony Hospital to address the critical lack of accessible health services on the Southwest Side. Realizing that thousands of residents lacked quality medical services and relied on the emergency department for routine care, they decided to open a primary care clinic on South California Avenue and name it Esperanza the Spanish word for hope.

Today, with seven sites and a team of more than 400 dedicated staff, Esperanza is one of the most respected Federally Qualified Health Centers in the nation, delivering accessible, bilingual care to more than 50,000 patients every year. From adult medicine, women's health and pediatrics to behavioral health services and wellness programs, Esperanza meets the needs of its community with innovation and a sterling commitment to quality. Esperanza today is recognized as a National Quality Leader by the Health Resource