The Esperanza Network

Technical Assistance

Esperanza provides individualized assistance and group workshops on grant writing, board and membership development, fundraising, faciliation and leadership, and alliance building. The Esperanza also acts as fiscal sponsor for groups who have not yet attained non-profit status. Consultation on conference or workshop development is also available.

The Esperanza Peace & Justice Center is the cornerstone, the foundation, and often the birthplace of liberal-progressive action in San Antonio, Texas. The Center links the many diverse cultures in common cause. The Center brings people together to break down historical barriers of ignorance and indifference. The EPJC is a safe space for people to overcome obstacles. To effectively challenge and change oppressive environments one must simultaneously address racism, sexism, heterosexism, ableism and classism. Only the EPJC does this to its credit and to its hardship. For the EPJC has steadfastly held to positions that have often placed the Center in controversial and unpopular situations.

Community Center / Esperanza Network

The Esperanza promotes networking of social, economic, environmental justice and community-based arts organizations. It is our belief that needed social change will only come through working together — learning from and teaching each other, sharing resources and supporting each others work. The Esperanza promotes this kind of exchange by providing places for grassroots activists to meet and work together — the physical space, network meetings, and collective projects. The supportive space that Esperanza creates, one of cooperation, sharing, and community-building, is as important to the process of building a progressive movement as the physical place.

"However, the EPJC has held strong and is truly an advocate and ally to all historically oppressed populations.… Gay and lesbian life is better today due to the support and efforts of the EPJC." —San Antonio Lesbian Gay Assembly

"As we struggle each day to instill some degree of human decency to our society’s policies and agenda, we tend to take for granted the valuable service that the Esperanza Peace & Justice Center provides to CAMILA and other groups. Today, we want to take a minute to let you know that without your dedicated efforts and unselfish support our group would face difficult obstacles which would weaken our work.… Through the Esperanza we have been able to share our ideas and energy with other community groups. Thus our collective efforts have multiplied the positive results all of us seek. More important than the sharing of vital physical facilities, the Esperanza’s greatest contribution has been serving as a focal point to share ideas and hopes. —" Antonio Cabral, CAMILA (Chicanos Against Military Intervention in Latin America)

"The Center has truly become a Center, a sharp physical focal point that draws together progressive people of divergent views, but who work and are moved by a common force—del corazón y de la alma. Many times we ourselves cannot give the Center the time or resources that are needed. But knowing that you are there gives us courage to do our own work. And events like this recharge our soul. In this way we know we are not alone. We are part of the creation of a new society. —" Laura & Ed Codina