Community
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Esperanza Móvil – Community Reinvestment Project Spotlight
Esperanza Móvil is one 30 By/For Black, Latine, and Indigenous Kin organizations in Pierce County recommended by the Pierce County Local Advisory Team to receive funding through the Washington State Department of Commerce’s Community Reinvestment Project.
GTCF contracted with Commerce to convene the Pierce County Local Advisory Team and deliver funding based on their recommendations. You can read more about this partnership here.
GTCF reached out to Ana Roja, Executive Director, Esperanza Móvil to learn more about their organization and how this Community Reinvestment Project funding is helping accelerate their work in Pierce County.
What inspired the creation of your organization/movement?
Esperanza Móvil was created out of a deep commitment to social justice, equity, and building stronger communities in Pierce County. We were inspired by the needs of Hispanic families and communities of color who often face barriers to accessing resources, services, and opportunities. We also wanted to give back to this country and community that have provided us with opportunities. Our goal is to reduce social and economic inequalities and help build a stronger, more connected Hispanic community—while welcoming and serving all members of our county.
What is a challenge – or opportunity – your organization/movement is addressing or trying to create solutions for?
One major challenge we see in our community is social isolation—many families, especially in immigrant and underserved communities, feel disconnected and lack safe, welcoming spaces where they can build relationships and access support. At Esperanza Móvil, we see this as an opportunity to foster community connections and empowerment. Through programs like cooking workshops, sewing classes, arts and crafts sessions, and our community garden, we create spaces where people can come together, learn new skills, share their culture, and form lasting connections. In this way, we are helping to build a more united, resilient, and thriving Pierce County community.
What is an example of the actions, programs, or projects of your organization/movement?
One example of our work is our community cooking workshops, where families gather to cook, share recipes, and enjoy time together—building friendships and strengthening community bonds. We also offer sewing classes and arts and crafts workshops, which give participants of all ages a chance to learn, create, and connect. Our community garden brings neighbors together to grow fresh food, share knowledge, and foster a sense of belonging. Through all of these programs, Esperanza Móvil is helping to create a more inclusive and thriving community in Pierce County.
How can funding – like what was delivered through the Community Reinvestment Project – help accelerate the work of Esperanza Móvil?
This year, Esperanza Móvil faced a significant challenge when we lost half of our funding for community programs. Thanks to the critical support provided by the Community Reinvestment Project, we are now able to continue our work and complete this year’s programming — bringing much-needed workshops and activities to families across Pierce County. This funding is helping us maintain essential programs like cooking, sewing, arts, and community gardening — and keeping our mission of building a more connected, inclusive community moving forward. We are deeply grateful for this support and look forward to growing new partnerships that will help us sustain and expand this work in the coming year.