Esperanza Health Center eNews -
December 2019
|
|
Forever, God is Faithful /
Por siempre Dios es fiel
by Stephanie Soto
|
|
|
|
The work
Forever, God is Faithful / Por siempre, Dios es fiel
by local Philadelphia artist
Stephanie Soto
(photo, L) was selected earlier this year as the artwork for our new
Wall of Faithfulness Picture Mosaic
. The Mosaic is now on display electronically in our new Kensington health center, and will soon be displayed at all three of our sites.
As Stephanie explains, she incorporated key themes of Esperanza's history and God's faithfulness throughout the work: “
'Por siempre, Dios es fiel'
is the main message of the painting–God’s faithfulness to Esperanza over the years. This sentence means
'forever, God is faithful'
in Spanish. The paper cards held in each hand, the inclusion of a bird, and the background foliage all reference the original Esperanza “Wall of Faithfulness” created by employees in 2000. Each hand also represents the diversity of ethnicities and ages found within Esperanza’s community."
"The Trinity is central to the painting. The middle hand, which is holding up the “Dios” card, is Jesus’ hand. He has a wound from the nail that was once hammered into his wrist. The “Dios” card symbolizes God the Father. The dove sitting above the card represents the Holy Spirit. The center of this painting, like the center of Esperanza’s existence, focuses on God."
"Dr. [Carolyn] Klaus, Esperanza’s founder, is also represented in the painting. After reading about Dr. Klaus’ vision and obedience to the Lord, it was important to include her in the mural. Her hand is on the far right, holding up the card
'fiel'
to symbolize her faithfulness in carrying out the vision of Esperanza’s early years."
Many of our patients, staff and community members have already submitted hundreds of their own photos to contribute to our Picture Mosaic....and, you can submit your photos to the Mosaic as well, by visiting this
link
(w
hen submitting your photos, use the bypass code "EHCFamily" and select "Apply.")
|
|
Esperanza Health Center - Year in Review
|
|
As we near the end of 2019,
Esperanza Health Center's 30th Anniversary year, we're pausing to reflect on God's goodness and faithfulness to us, not only throughout this past year but over many years of ministry.
Below are some "snapshots" from the past year at Esperanza
, as we look forward to what God will do in 2020 through Esperanza and in our North Philadelphia community.
|
|
|
|
In January, our entire staff
wrote prayers and Bible verses
on the beams and walls of all five floors of our under-construction Kensington site, just as our staff had done in 2011 during the construction of our Hunting Park site.
|
|
|
|
With a
continued commitment to providing high-quality, compassionate care
that addresses indivdiuals' physical, psychological, social and spiritual needs, without regard for ability to pay or insurance status, our care providers and clinical and support staff members have
faithfully served nearly 15,000 patients during 2019
at our Hunting Park, Kensington and Fifth Street sites.
(Photo credit:
Lendl Tellington/The Franklin Institute)
|
|
During the 2019
Summer Medical Institute (SMI)
, teams of medical students, volunteer faculty and Esperanza staff visited nearly 2,500 homes in Kensington. They provided many community residents with free door-to-door health screenings and medical referrals, and shared the love of Christ through conversation and prayer with those they met.
|
|
|
|
Throughout the summer, Esperanza's Department of Community Health and Wellness engaged with our community members and many partner organizations in some exciting new initiatives! During July and August, Esperanza partnered with
Sunday Suppers
,
Jefferson Health Design Lab
and
Cornerstone Community Church
to pilot
Recipe for Health
, a new family-oriented program focused on nutrition and fitness...and fun for adults and children!
|
|
And, during the spring and fall of 2019, two cohorts of new
Community Health Promoters
graduated (fall 2019 class photo, below)!
|
|
We opened our
new Kensington health center site
on September 30th, and celebrated in late October with our 30 Year Partnership Benefit and Grand Opening/Ribbon Cutting events. The morning of our grand opening, we recognized former medical assistant
Gloria Vazquez for her 25 years of service with Esperanza
(below, center); with Gloria are Dr. Bryan Hollinger, medical director, and Dr. Carolyn Klaus, Esperanza's founding physician.
|
|
|
|
Join our team!
We currently have many open positions in clinical and other departments. To learn more and to apply, visit our
Opportunities
page!
|
|
Your generous year-end gift
to Esperanza Health Center will enable us to serve our many uninsured patients, providing compassionate, high-quality medical, dental, behavioral health and many other health and wellness services, without regard for ability to pay or insurance status.
Through your gift, you can make a real difference
in the lives of individuals and families in our North Philadelphia community who are in need of quality, affordable health care -
thank you!
|
|
|
Thank you
for your partnership with Esperanza Health Center -
Merry Christmas
and many blessings in the New Year!
|
|
Our Mission:
“Compelled by the love of God in Christ Jesus, in cooperation with the Church and others,
Esperanza Health Center
is a multi-cultural ministry providing holistic healthcare to the Latino and underserved communities
of Philadelphia.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
