Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust has awarded Esperança $190,000 to expand its Health Education Program in Central Phoenix. The program targets children in the communities located along the 1-17 corridor in Central Phoenix, roughly south of Peoria Avenue, north of Lower Buckeye, east of 43rd Avenue and west of 16th Street.
“Research shows these zip codes have little to no resources to aid residents in dealing with either preventative care or chronic illness,” said Tom Egan, president and CEO of Esperança. “The communities we serve have the highest deficit of health resources in the metropolitan area. Low incomes, poor rates of high school completion, and lack of English-language fluency present barriers to gaining adequate health services for struggling children.
With funding from Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust, Esperança will be able to offer health education at low- and no-cost medical and dental clinics already established by its partners at no cost to children in three zip codes: 85009, 85015 and 85020. This will help families access the help and information they need at one site, making it more likely children will lead healthier lives. The funds will allow Esperança to double, if not quadruple, the number of children they can serve in three years.
