ESPERANZA HEALTH CENTER ENEWS |
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REMEMBERING TO LOOK FORWARD:
Staff Reflections on God's Faithfulness
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This November, we are reflecting on how far God has taken Esperanza Health Center — from its early days as a small, second-story walk-up clinic, to a now multi-site health center serving thousands of patients every year! In anticipation of the opening of our new community wellness center, The CORE, we asked several long-time staff members to reflect on how they've witnessed God's presence during their time at Esperanza. By remembering God's faithfulness to Esperanza all these years, we look forward with hope to what He will continue to do through this new building and beyond!
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How have you witnessed God’s faithfulness while working at EHC? |
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In the last 10 years of working at Esperanza, I've witnessed God's faithfulness in the lives of many patients and in my own life. I particularly witnessed God's faithfulness when patients who would otherwise not be able to get good medical care, were able to see a doctor because of our Uninsured Patient Program.
When I was going through difficult seasons, my coworkers at Esperanza helped me by giving me their time to listen and pray with me. Going to work each day and knowing I would be surrounded by people who truly loved God and me, made me feel like I could make it one more day. God's faithfulness to Esperanza has been clear, especially now with the new buildings that have been developed. I look forward to seeing how much the community will be blessed by God through his people.
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What new mercies have you witnessed in your time working at EHC? |
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I had the joy of joining Esperanza Health Center in its 10th year of existence. Esperanza was quite small then, and we lacked the many resources we have today. There were times that we didn’t have paychecks, let alone the supplies needed to perform our daily tasks. But still, our hearts overflowed with gratitude for the mere opportunity to serve others as He directed. It was so exciting to be part of holistic healthcare ministry, caring for not just the body, but also for the soul.
God’s presence was palpable and His mercies were new every morning. He sustained us when nothing else possibly could have! And in that refining process, our faith grew. Esperanza has been through many seasons of drought and abundance. Through it all, I have seen two common threads: 1) God asks us to be light and salt in a dark world, pointing others to the path of true healing and true restoration that only He can offer; 2) Programs are valuable and we are grateful for them. But true transformation occurs when we are surrendered to Christ, inviting him into the messiness of our daily lives.
In reference to the Lord’s faithfulness, Lamentations 3:24-25 says: “'The Lord is my portion,' says my soul. 'Therefore I have hope in Him. The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the person who seeks Him.'" As we eagerly await the opening of the new CORE building, may we always keep Christ at the core of our activities and programming. May we, and the people we serve, continue to seek Him.
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How have you experienced the steadfast love of the Lord while working at EHC? |
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When I first started working at Esperanza Health Center in 2007, I was single, struggling financially, and had very few friends. Over the past 15 years, the Lord has shown his steadfast love for me in numerous ways. He’s given me a wife, my three children, and a family. God has provided us with a new house. God has given me purpose and made me useful in the body of Christ.
Through my work at Esperanza, God has given me new friendships that I deeply cherish and have been positively influenced by. God has also given me the opportunity to serve, advocate, help and bless the people of this community and to grow as a professional in what I do.
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How have you witnessed God’s faithfulness while working at EHC? |
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I had the privilege of serving on the EHC Board of Directors for seven years in the early 2000s before joining Esperanza as Chaplain in 2011. Early on, we had the challenge of recruiting and hiring a new Executive Director after having several short-term or interim EDs. In the midst of that, the Lord provided our current - and longest serving! - Executive Director, Susan Post.
I’ve also witnessed God’s faithfulness to Esperanza Health Center when an enormous challenge came upon us. There was a long-standing debate with how to calculate our insurance reimbursements for serving Medicaid and Medicare patients, who make up the significant majority of our patients. In the midst of regulatory strain, the Lord provided a way that established a strong foundation for Esperanza Health Center ever since to serve and honor our patients.
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TRANSFORMING WITH INTENTION:
A Mural for Hunting Park
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On November 1st, Esperanza Health Center staff, friends, family, and many community
stakeholders gathered at Esperanza's Hunting Park site to dedicate a new mural, “Transforming with Intention” (photo, R), designed by artist Betsy Casañas. Many community partners collaborated to make the new mural a reality, including: Esperanza Health Center; ARTZ Philadelphia; ARTZ in the Neighborhood’s Hunting Park community advisors; Mural Arts Philadelphia; Vocatio Career Prep High School; Aramingo Day Center; and, churches and organizations in Hunting Park.
A central goal of the mural project was to represent the resilience, creativity, and contributions of Hunting Park community members who are living with memory loss and those who love them. Another goal was to honor the late Pastor Manny Ortiz and his wife, Blanca, and their legacy that has inspired continuing generations to plant and sow seeds of change in Hunting Park. Through community meetings with artist Betsy Casañas to plan the mural, the theme of seed-sowing was developed.
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Updates From the EHC Community
Health & Wellness Team
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Photo taken at the Community Health and Wellness Fall Pop-Up Park in Kensington. |
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A parent ambassador facilitates a discussion about incorporating cultural traditions into parenting at a Parenting Circle in Kensington. |
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In anticipation of The CORE opening soon, the Community Health and Wellness team has been busy strengthening partnerships with neighboring community organizations and providing community programming across our zip codes. This fall, we offered our Full Circle Parenting Program in three different locations - Casarez Elementary School in Kensington, our K&A clinic, and Mi Salud Wellness Center in Feltonville. Each group of parents met weekly to discuss topics like nutrition, finances, and love languages.
We’ve also started hosting seasonal family events in Kensington to start building momentum towards the opening of The CORE. In October, over 30 families attended a fall-themed pop-up park in collaboration with NKCDC, Impact Services, Mural Arts, and The Simple Way. Activities included zucchini fritter making, balloon animals, limbo, leaf crowns, popcorn and cotton candy, and other outdoor games and crafts. We also recently participated in The Simple Way’s Fall Festival during which the Community Health and Wellness team provided fresh popcorn, pumpkin painting and enjoyed a great time with kids in the neighborhood, including watching them dive for candy in piles of hay (apparently, a Tennessee meets North Philly game)!
As the weather gets colder, we’re excited for the possibilities of more indoor, cozy family events centered around health and wellness. Hot cocoa and game nights, here we come!
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Join us in our mission to provide high-quality, comprehensive health care services, in Jesus' name, to the Latino and underserved communities of Philadelphia. Visit esperanzahealth.com/donate to make a secure, online gift and to learn about other ways to give to support Esperanza Health Center. |
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We're seeking qualified professionals who share in our Christ-centered mission to join our team. We currently have part-time, full-time, and temporary positions available in the many areas, including: Clinical, Medical Assistants, Finance, Management, Clerical Assistants, and Administration. To view a list of current openings and to apply, visit esperanzahealth.com/careers.
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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.
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