Esperanza Center
(formerly Hispanic Apostolate)
430 S Broadway
Baltimore, MD 21231
CONTACT: Beth Awalt, Volunteer/ Outreach Coordinator
PHONE: (410) 547.5490
EMAIL: bawalt@cc-md.org
Function of organization or site:
- Offers hospitality, social, and educational services to Hispanics and other immigrants.
- Makes bilingual referrals for those needing employment, housing, food or clothing, and other services, through our Community Resources and Outreach Desk.
- Sponsors English and other classes in our ESL Program.
- Assists those with medical, dental, or mental health problems in Health Services, through a Consortium Agreement with St. Joseph Medical Center, Johns Hopkins Medical, and St. Agnes Hospital.
- Assists those with immigration-related legal difficulties in Legal Services.
Volunteer Opportunities:
- Help at the Community Resource and Outreach Desk:
- Guide and educate clients on accessing services in the school system and medical system
- Assist clients by referring them to appropriate social services such as housing, legal aid, and healthcare
- Help clients with issues involving the MVA, non-immigration legal situations, and utility and other bills
- Provide assistance and/or translation services for written documents such as birth certificates, school records, phone conversations, important appointments, and other personal situations
- Teach English-As-a-Second-Language classes in the ESOL program
- Flexible schedules for volunteers and students – evenings require commitment, daytimes if possible
- Daytimes: informal, drop-in sessions - morning 10-12 and afternoon 1-3 - comprised of small groups and one-on-one teaching – Monday through Friday AM and PM, Saturday AM only during semesters
- Evenings: formal, leveled classes by semester (5 sem/yr) – Tuesday and Thursday 6:30-9:00 PM
- Assist in Legal Services
- If you are bilingual, have legal experience, and can make a long-term commitment, then Legal Services can use your help with a multitude of legal and immigration issues
- Learn to appreciate the gifts, talents, and contributions of clients from over 23 Spanish-speaking countries, as well as clients from various European, African, and Asiatic countries who enrich our culture
Hours of Operation:
Monday: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Tuesday – Thursday: 9:00 am – 4:30 pm
Tuesday and Thursday: 6:30 – 9:00 pm
(English Classes only – during the semester)
Friday: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Saturday: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
(English Classes only – during the semester)
Time commitments are flexible.
Location:
Walking distance from JHSPH is just under one mile. Take Broadway toward Fells Point.
Customer Service/Referral:
We guide and educate our clients on accessing services in the school system, medical system and their day-to-day needs. We provide assistance with school forms. Additionally, we assist clients by referring them to appropriate services such as housing, legal aid, and healthcare. We can help and refer our clients dealing with issues involving the MVA, non-immigration legal situations, and utility and other billiings. Our staff can also offer translation services for written documents such as birth certificates and school records, for phone conversations, and for personal situations.
Additional Information:
The Esperanza Center is one of the community service sites for Bienestar Baltimore, a tri-school partnering student group.
