LA ESPERANZA’S MISSION IS TO ASSIST SUSSEX COUNTY LATINOS AND IMMIGRANTS ON THEIR JOURNEY TO ACHIEVE STABILITY, INTEGRATION AND SUCCESS.
La Esperanza is a bicultural and bilingual multi-service nonprofit agency in Sussex County, Delaware that provides free culturally and linguistically appropriate programs and services in the areas of family development, immigration, victim services, and education for Hispanic adults, children and families.
OUR HISTORY
November 1996
1996
Founded by several Hispanic leaders and three Carmelite Sisters of Charity: Sister María Mairlot, Sister Rosa Álvarez and Sister Ascensión Banegas.
November 1997
1997
- Sister Rosa Álvarez was recognized for her volunteer work with pregnant women by the Perinatal Association of Delaware.
- Sister Rosa Álvarez works to get children into daycare centers and not watched at in-home, unlicensed places.
November 1999
1999
- April: Sister Rosa Álvarez was honored by the state Department of Health and Social Services for serving as an interpreter, transporter and spiritual mentor to mothers and children in Georgetown’s Hispanic community.
- Fall: Sister Rosa Álvarez was presented the Katherine Esterly Health Care Award by the March of Dimes Delaware State Chapter for her work in the area of maternal and child health issues.
November 2000
2000
- Sister Rosa Álvarez an honoree of The Governor’s Outstanding Volunteer Award.
- March: Sister Rosa Álvarez honored for her work on behalf of Delaware’s children and families received the Delaware Tomorrow Award from the Family & Workplace Connection, a child-care advocacy agency.
November 2001
2001
The Jefferson Awards, an initiative of the American Institute for Public Service awarded Sister Rosa Álvarez. She was chosen to represent Delaware at the national competition.
November 2010
2010
- Sister María Mairlot was recognized for her years of service with a Papal award.
- Sister Ascensión Banegas was inducted into the Delaware Women’s Hall of Fame.
2010
- September: Sister María Mairlot was selected by people in the community for an Hola award.
- October: Sister María Mairlot was one of The News Journal’s 25 Who Matter, a biweekly series that tells the stories of people who have made a significant difference in their communities.
November 2011
2011
November: The Sisters, Sister Rosa Álvarez, Sister Ascensión Banegas, and Sister María Mairlot were presented the Governor’s Outstanding Volunteer Service Awards.
November 2017
2017
- La Esperanza celebrates 20 years of service, helping tens of thousands of people.
- The Sisters retire.
November 2019
2019
- Jennifer Fuqua is named as La Esperanza’s Executive Director
- January 13: Sister Ascensión Banegas passed at age 87.
- February 27: Sister Rosa Álvarez passed at age 89.
November 2023
2023
- La Esperanza integrated with La Colectiva de Delaware (LCD), an initiative to support, improve and expand opportunities for the Latino community in southern Delaware.
- Celebrated 36 new citizens at inaugural citizenship celebration.
- Hosted first annual Hispanic Parent Engagement Summit.
OUR HISTORY
1996
Founded by several Hispanic leaders and three Carmelite Sisters of Charity: Sister María Mairlot, Sister Rosa Álvarez and Sister Ascensión Banegas.
1997
- Sister Rosa Álvarez was recognized for her volunteer work with pregnant women by the Perinatal Association of Delaware.
- Sister Rosa Álvarez works to get children into daycare centers and not watched at in-home, unlicensed places.
1999
- April: Sister Rosa Álvarez was honored by the state Department of Health and Social Services for serving as an interpreter, transporter and spiritual mentor to mothers and children in Georgetown’s Hispanic community.
- Fall: Sister Rosa Álvarez was presented the Katherine Esterly Health Care Award by the March of Dimes Delaware State Chapter for her work in the area of maternal and child health issues.
2000
- Sister Rosa Álvarez an honoree of The Governor’s Outstanding Volunteer Award.
- March: Sister Rosa Álvarez honored for her work on behalf of Delaware’s children and families received the Delaware Tomorrow Award from the Family & Workplace Connection, a child-care advocacy agency.
2001
The Jefferson Awards, an initiative of the American Institute for Public Service awarded Sister Rosa Álvarez. She was chosen to represent Delaware at the national competition.
2010
- Sister María Mairlot was recognized for her years of service with a Papal award.
- Sister Ascensión Banegas was inducted into the Delaware Women’s Hall of Fame.
2010
- September: Sister María Mairlot was selected by people in the community for an Hola award.
- October: Sister María Mairlot was one of The News Journal’s 25 Who Matter, a biweekly series that tells the stories of people who have made a significant difference in their communities.
2011
November: The Sisters, Sister Rosa Álvarez, Sister Ascensión Banegas, and Sister María Mairlot were presented the Governor’s Outstanding Volunteer Service Awards.
2017
- La Esperanza celebrates 20 years of service, helping tens of thousands of people.
- The Sisters retire.
2019
- Jennifer Fuqua is named as La Esperanza’s Executive Director
- January 13: Sister Ascensión Banegas passed at age 87.
- February 27: Sister Rosa Álvarez passed at age 89.
2023
- La Esperanza integrated with La Colectiva de Delaware (LCD), an initiative to support, improve and expand opportunities for the Latino community in southern Delaware.
- Celebrated 36 new citizens at inaugural citizenship celebration.
- Hosted first annual Hispanic Parent Engagement Summit.