This latest Esperanza update is filled with moments of growth, reflection, and opportunity. From opening our 2026 scholarship applications, to giving students a chance to engage with powerful stories, to witnessing the generosity of our community partners, every experience continues to shape the journeys of those we serve. In the stories below, you will see how education, empathy, and support come together to empower Northeast Ohio.
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The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a federal benefit that helps working individuals and families with low to moderate incomes keep more of what they earn. Depending on income and family size, it can provide a significant boost at tax time by increasing your refund. Last year alone, the EITC Coalition helped Cuyahoga County families claim more than $13 million in refunds, returning vital dollars back into our local community.
If you earned up to $69,000 in 2025, you qualify for free tax filing services through the EITC Coalition. Appointments at Esperanza are available now at RefundOhio.org! ¡Servicios disponibles en español ¡Haga su cita hoy!
You can also make a difference by volunteering your time. Sign-ups are now open at RefundOhio.org/Volunteer. Together, we can help “Refund the People” and continue empowering our community, one return at a time.
Your Future Starts Here: Esperanza Scholarship Applications Are Now Open!
Our 2026 Esperanza Scholarship applications are now open, and we are excited to once again invest in the dreams and determination of students pursuing higher education.
This opportunity is about more than financial support. It is about believing in your potential, standing beside you on your journey, and helping remove barriers on the path to college and career success.
Esperanza scholarships support students who are starting or continuing their college journey, providing not only funding but also connection to a community that cares about your growth. Recipients become part of a network rooted in mentorship, guidance, and long-term success.
If you or someone you know is preparing for the next step after high school or continuing their education, now is the time to apply. This could be the moment that changes everything!
Learning Beyond the Classroom at the Maltz Museum
Our Esperanza Youth Leadership Program students took part in a powerful and unforgettable field trip to the Maltz Museum to experience El Sueño Americano, a traveling exhibition that explores the migrant experience at the U.S.–Mexico border through photographs of personal belongings confiscated from immigrants.
Nearly 40 high school students from Lincoln West High School and Natividad Pagan International Newcomers Academy walked through this deeply moving exhibit. Many stood in silent reverence, taking in the stories behind each item and reflecting on the realities faced by families seeking safety and opportunity. The room was filled with thoughtfulness, empathy, and respect. It was a moment that left a lasting impression on our young leaders.
We extend our sincere gratitude to the incredible partners who made this experience possible:
- Liz Novak, Director of Learning and Interpretation, Maltz Museum
- Kenna Marblestone, Manager of Public and Family Programs, Maltz Museum
- Lucy Wedding, Museum Interpretation Administrator, Maltz Museum
- Daniel Pearlman, Managing Director of Community Relations and External Affairs, Jewish Federation of Cleveland
Thank you as well to our board members Barbara Barreno-Paschall and Andrea Londono Shishehbor for being present in support of our students, to our development team Judy Matsko and Eliza Semidei, and to our youth programs staff for guiding and supporting our scholars throughout this meaningful experience.
Opportunities like this help our students grow not only as leaders, but as compassionate and informed members of our community.
MetroHealth’s Institute for HOPE Brings Warmth and Support to Our Students
We are so grateful to our friends at MetroHealth’s Institute for HOPE for spending time with us and supporting our students through their Holiday A.C.T.I.O.N. Grant initiative. Through this effort, their team raised funds internally, matched by employees, to meet the real needs of our youth.
They donated backpacks filled with school supplies, along with gloves, winter gear, headphones, and water bottles. These items help ensure our students can return to school after breaks ready to learn and fully supported. Their team truly thought about what our students need, and it shows.
Representing Esperanza, our Development team members Judy Matsko and Eliza Semidei, alongside our Director of Programs, Zulayka Ruiz-Barral, and our Board President, Pamela Hobe, had the pleasure of meeting with the MetroHealth team during this special visit.
Pictured with us are Natasha Lopez, MetroHealth intern and soon-to-be social work graduate, as well as an Esperanza Scholarship recipient and Advancing Leaders alum; Marilee Santiago, our wonderful community partner; and Rhonda Jones, who works with MetroHealth and also serves on the board of Metro West, serving our community in so many ways.
Thank you for investing in our students and in the future of the Northeast Ohio community. Your generosity makes a meaningful difference.
Join us in Empowering Northeast Ohio!
At Esperanza, We Translate to HOPE. Will you be Esperanza too?
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