Community Health and Wellness
The mission of the Community Health and Wellness Department at Esperanza Health Center is to facilitate preventative health and wellness initiatives that promote physical, emotional, and spiritual health. We fulfill this mission by:
- Building community across generations by creating inclusive spaces for families and community members
- Levering resources and partnerships beyond the clinic, across diverse sectors
- Providing relationship-centered programming focused on community health education, capacity-building, family engagement, and overall health and well-being.
- Supporting systems that promote health equity and positively impact the conditions in which people grow, work, live, play, and worship.
The Community Health and Wellness Department is committed to addressing the unique healthcare needs of the North Philadelphia community through collaboration, innovation, and a deep sense of empathy. We provide health education programs and resources for families and individuals. See a list of our programs below!
Youth and Family Programs
Family Fit
Family Fit invites all parents and caregivers to join us with your children for a program focusing on exercise, nutrition and FAMILY FUN! Learn the basics of zumba, yoga, taekwondo, and more!
Clay, Play, Read!
This 4-week class is a clay and reading program taught by The Clay Studio. The class will be bilingual and is geared towards students from 4-12 years old. Please look out for future dates for this program!
Philly Youth Basketball
Philly Youth Basketball is currently offering free basketball training for youth in 5th-8th grade at The CORE on Mondays and Wednesdays from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Register using the link below or drop in.
Community Connections
Yoga 4 Philly
Join us in partnership with Yoga 4 Philly for a free, beginner-friendly yoga class! Experience the benefit of stress reduction, improved flexibility and posture, and mental clarity and focus. Classes are held every Monday at 6:30 pm and Wednesday at 5:30 pm. Childcare is provided.
Young at Heart Seniors Program
With the goal of combating social isolation among a vulnerable population, Young at Heart provides a space for older adults to gather, laugh, learn, and share life stories and experiences together. They bond over food, crafts, games, educational lessons, and occasional field trips. The program meets on Tuesday mornings from 10:00am-11:30 am at our Hunting Park site, 4417 N. 6th St.
Parents Circle
Our parent circles are a space for parents and caregivers to share, learn, and connect with others on the same journey. Each week, we discuss different topics related to parenting, with the goal of learning from the experiences of others
Community Leadership Training
Summer Teen Internship
The Summer Teen Internship Program (STIP) is an immersive 3-week experience for high school sophomores, juniors, or seniors interested in a career in healthcare. Join us in Summer 2025 for shadowing opportunities, professional development, mentorship, hands-on training, and more. Lunch and stipends are provided. Look out for more details this upcoming Spring!
Community Health Promoters
An 8-week training on addressing physical, mental, relational, and spiritual health topics. This course aims to empower participants by enhancing their skills and confidence to discuss health, deliver health-related presentations, and facilitate resource connections. Classes will be offered in Spanish in Spring 2025. Graduates are awarded a Health Promoter Certificate and often pursue opportunities to work or volunteer with diverse community organizations, including EHC.
CORE Action Team
The CORE Action Team is a resident advisory board that speaks to Esperanza Health Center’s community programming and development decisions in the Kensington area. Members must either live, work, or worship in one of our service zip codes and commit to a one-year term, with the potential of renewal. We meet monthly and accept new members on a yearly basis.
Practical Avenues to Health
This 4 to 6-week program is an extension of the Community Health Promoter Program and is designed to be completed in small groups. This includes a series of short lessons and discussion questions on various health topics, including relational, emotional, mental health, holistic health, and addictions that may be presented at local churches and community organizations.
Community Resources
Esperanza Fresh
Esperanza Fresh is Esperanza’s annual donation-based farmer’s market. Through a generous partnership with America’s Grow-A-Row, we offer fresh produce from a farm in New Jersey on Thursdays at our sites in Hunting Park, Fairhill, and Kensington. The program is currently running from 10:30-11:30 am at Hunting Park, 12:30-2:00 pm at Fairhill, and 2:00-3:30 pm at Kensington (The CORE).
Hub4Health
This monthly resource fair provides essential resource items to community members. Join us every third Wednesday of the month at The CORE Resources are available from The Simple Way, NKCDC, The City of Philadelphia, and more! There is no registration required.
Baby Goods Exchange
Join Esperanza Health Center and The Simple Way at The CORE for the quarterly Baby Good Exchange program. This program provides a place to share and swap items for families of young children, as well as holding space to provide support, resources, and information. The next program will be December 5th from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm.