Our History
- 1952
Esperanza Center was established to meet the social and educational needs of Upper Manhattan’s Latino community.
- 1973
Centro Social la Esperanza, Inc. opened a comprehensive daytime program for adults with developmental disabilities who lived with their families.
- Today
Esperanza serves Manhattan and the Bronx. Our services have expanded to include children and now span residential, day, community, and recreation programs. Through daily living skills, social adaptation, and motor skill development, we support people to live, participate, and thrive in their neighborhoods.
Who We Serve
Children, teens, and adults with developmental disabilities, along with the families who love them. We are bilingual and culturally rooted in the communities we serve.
Our Approach
We provide people‑first, strengths‑based services that are culturally responsive and rooted in love and joy. In coordination with Life Plans, we focus on outcomes that include choice, health, safety, friendships, relationships, rights, goals, dreams, employment, and community connection.
Goals and Outcomes
We center daily living skills, social adaptation, and motor skills to promote independence and active community life. Our aim is simple and profound: people stay in their communities, build confidence, and take part in meaningful work and relationships.
Our Neighborhoods
We serve Manhattan and the Bronx. Partnerships with families, schools, health providers, and local organizations help make support strong and seamless.
Our Legacy
From our earliest days, Esperanza has been a place of joy, love, and belonging. Generations of families, staff, and neighbors have shaped this community, creating a foundation of trust that still guides our work today. Our legacy lives not just in programs, but in lives touched, joy shared, and futures opened.