Learn more about how we are making a difference in the community of Northeast Ohio.
Through the leaders program, they taught it’s OK to ask questions and even one time gave me a homework assignment to go talk to one of my teachers. Esperanza made me go so I could get the help I needed. The program has helped me be independent in college.
- Samuel
Our scholarships help students attend institutions from New York to Hawaii and supported 100 students in 2019.
I was really quiet and shy when I joined, but Esperanza made me more confident, taught me to be a better person, taught me to not be afraid of challenges and not to give up.
- Kassandra
Esperanza facilitates over 244 mentor/mentee relationships during the school year with both one-on-one and group gender specific and college mentoring options.
Before the [ELLAS] program, I never did anything with my time. It made me more focused on being my own leader and helped me to see my future. I feel proud of being a successful student because I’m the only child in my family to receive a scholarship and now I can move forward.
- Taisha
Over the years, Esperanza and CMSD’s strong partnership has contributed to meaningful, system-wide progress in high school graduation across Cleveland. Decades ago, CMSD's overall graduation rates were significantly lower than they are today. Thanks to sustained districtwide efforts, along with the targeted support provided by Esperanza, CMSD now graduates students at much higher rates, closing long-standing achievement gaps and improving outcomes for learners across the city. Students who participate directly in Esperanza programs are graduating at a rate of 92%, a rate that exceeds both Ohio’s and the nation’s average high school graduation rates.
“Anytime I need help in college, I come here,” explains Marie, “they [Esperanza Inc.] encourage every student that they have the same right to, and can be successful in, whatever it is that they can accomplish in life. Esperanza has opened many doors for me in terms of the community. Before, I thought success was only for people who already had all the opportunities, but I learned that I can build my own path.”
- Marie
Esperanza has provided more than $1.8 million in scholarships to more than 1,900 students since 1983.
Our programs bring hope to students like Franchesca, who moved to Cleveland from the Dominican Republic three years ago with her family. Francesca, who spoke little English when she arrived, found acclimating to a new high school and new community difficult without the support of her extended family who re...
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