One Body Philly
2020-21: This project aims to leverage partnerships between Esperanza Health Center (EHC), a faith-based health-clinic serving the North Philadelphia community, and local churches, faith-based ministries, and other non-profits for community-driven advocacy and education around COVID-19 precautions, testing and quarantining, and the COVID-19 vaccine.
2022-23: One Body Philly aims to leverage Esperanza Health Center (EHC)’s unique position as a diverse Christian organization to encourage ecumenical partnerships and faith-based efforts in our North Philadelphia neighborhoods. Over the past few months, EHC has hosted and attended numerous ecumenical conversations around the future of justice work in the city. In early 2023, EHC will open a new building dedicated to community health and wellness in the heart of North Philadelphia’s Kensington neighborhood, complete with event and classroom spaces. This space, in combination with the cross-denominational partnerships our team has nurtured, uniquely positions us to serve as a convener for ecumenical efforts.
One Body Philly will have three components: 1) creating a central platform to share existing initiatives; 2) convening a diverse design team to curate and develop experiences centered on being and doing (prayer and action); and 3) developing EHC’s organizational capacity for ecumenical work through staff training and professional development.
Formerly Director of Community Health and Wellness at Esperanza Health Center in Philadelphia for eight years, she is now Vice President of Programs at nearby New Kensington Community Development Corporation (NKCDC). She trained as a lawyer, and has been active in the Philadelphia community for years.
Congregational and Community grants provide support for urban pastors, churches, faith-based community organizations, and theological institutions to share resources, ideas, and practices for life-giving ministry in cities across North America. Typically, we invite those who have not previously had access to resources or grant funding. This inaugural cohort of grantees included organizations working with children and youth, capacity building for a community. ministry, support for community healthcare, and research on congregational responses to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Congregational and Community grants provide support for urban pastors, churches, faith-based community organizations, and theological institutions to share resources, ideas, and practices for life-giving ministry in cities across North America. Typically, we invite those who have not previously had access to resources or grant funding.
I pray that my city would be a more gentle, kind, and humane place where people can grow their families without fear of violence; a place where children play in the streets and grow old.