At the heart of La Esperanza’s mission to serve Delaware’s Latino and immigrant communities is a commitment to compassion, adaptability, and unwavering support. In a recent interview, the organization’s Immigration Program Coordinator, Lesmayra Bautista, shared insights into her vital role, personal motivations, and the unique challenges and triumphs she has experienced during her five years with La Esperanza. Her story offers a glimpse into the profound impact that La Esperanza continues to have on the lives of those it serves, particularly during times of crisis.
Can you tell us about your current role at La Esperanza and how long you’ve been with the organization?
I am currently the Immigration Program Coordinator. I am also a DOJ Partially Accredited Representative. I have been with La Esperanza for five years and counting.
What motivates you personally to be part of La Esperanza’s mission, and why do you believe it’s crucial for Delaware’s Latino and immigrant communities?
I desire to impact at least one person’s life in a positive and uplifting way daily. I believe that this is crucial for our Latino and immigrant communities because there is nothing more comforting for individuals to feel welcomed and receive service with intention and compassion.
Can you share a memorable experience or project you’ve worked on at La Esperanza that has made a significant impact on the community?
There is nothing more memorable to me than the beginning of the era of COVID-19. Our work and commitment to our community was non-stop. We never closed our services. The office may have been physically closed, but we never stopped providing service remotely and ensured that whoever depended on our agency for food on Wednesday received their food. We also delivered food to clients who did not have transportation or were quarantined due to being positive for COVID-19. That was a hard and scary time for everyone, but La Esperanza was there with their community front and center.
How has your work at La Esperanza shaped your understanding and interaction with the local Latino and immigrant communities?
Working at La Esperanza has taught me not to take anything for granted. I learned early on that what may seem basic to me is surely not basic for many newcomers who migrate from other countries and are not accustomed to our culture. I have also learned that our Latino and immigrant communities have expectations of the person and organization providing their service. I try my very best to meet those expectations and earn our clients’ trust.
What do you think makes La Esperanza unique, and why is it an important resource for the Latino and immigrant communities in Delaware?
La Esperanza is a unique organization because we are always vigilant about the needs and changes of our Latino and immigrant communities. In turn, we work hard to implement strategies and services to assist in satisfying these imminent needs.
La Esperanza has recently expanded the types of immigration services that are offered, and we can now do representation in English, Spanish and Creole. In addition to handling cases such as citizenship, permanent residence, work permits, and family petitions, La Esperanza is now offering universal representation to unaccompanied children. La Esperanza is the first organization in Delaware to partner with Acacia Center for Justice. This nationwide non-profit, non-governmental organization supports and partners with a national network of organizations that provide legal representation to immigrants. La Esperanza will provide universal representation for the life of the case of a child referred by the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) to Delaware and some counties in MD. This means that children will be supported with legal representation throughout the immigration process. We also continue to offer citizenship preparation classes with ESL practice, which has resulted in 60% of those completing the class becoming new citizens of the US. Contact us at 302-854-9262 for more information about immigration services at La Esperanza.