COMMUNITY EDUCATION & ENRICHMENT
Learn about the community schools and children’s enrichment centers that FGA sponsors.
Centro Esperanza - Uplifting Loiza’s Youth
Founded in 1977 by the Hijas de Caridad de Saint Vincent de Paul, Centro Esperanza, Inc. is dedicated to serving the children and families of Loiza and neighboring towns. From humble beginnings providing special education services for children in low-income households, today, Centro Esperanza serves as a Montessori school and community hub offering certified education services through five core programs:
Montessori del Mar: Providing educational services for children aged 18 months to 9 years.
Vida y Esperanza: Offering counseling, psychotherapy, assessments, and testing services for individuals, couples, and families in collaboration with InterPR and Uni Ana G. Mendez.
Melodías de Esperanza: Nurturing youth aged 7 to 18 years through music education.
Mochila Alegre: Ensuring weekly food supply to approximately 50 children aged 2-12 in collaboration with the Food Bank of PR and Acción Social de Puerto Rico.
Turismo Patrimonial: Providing authentic tourism experiences guided by local youth, showcasing Loiza’s cultural and natural heritage while highlighting Centro Esperanza’s commitment to improving community life.
Centro Esperanza’s focus areas include special needs education, combating violence, addressing drug addiction and school dropout rates, and promoting peace and mental health. Learn more about how Centro Esperanza is making a difference in Loiza's communities at centroesperanzaloiza.org.
CREARTE - Healing Communities with Art & Creativity
CREARTE, Inc. is a nonprofit organization based in San Juan dedicated to nurturing creativity, education, and cultural enrichment among the area’s youth. For over 20 years, CREARTE has been a beacon of hope and opportunity for thousands of children and adolescents, offering a wide range of innovative programs and activities designed to foster personal growth, academic achievement, and social development. Through engaging workshops, artistic activities, and community outreach initiatives, CREARTE empowers young individuals to explore their talents, express themselves creatively, and become active agents of positive change within their communities.
Learn more about CREARTE's impact at creartepr.org.
Niños de Nueva Esperanza - Toa Baja’s Community School
Founded in 1994 by el Padre Ángel Darío Carrero and the hermanos Franciscanos en Sabana Seca, Niños de Nueva Esperanza provides academic support, therapy, evaluations, and sociocultural workshops through supervised tutoring, a wellness space, support groups, and wholesome extracurricular activities ranging from volleyball to theater, providing hope and support to the children of Toa Baja.
For thirty years, Niños de Nueva Esperanza has been committed to improving the lives of vulnerable youth through various programs and services, providing basic necessities and promoting mental health and well-being. By collaborating with local communities, schools, and government agencies, the organization strives to create a nurturing environment where children can thrive despite challenging circumstances. Through their unwavering dedication and tireless efforts, Niños de Nueva Esperanza continues to make a significant impact in enhancing the lives and futures of Puerto Rico's youth.
Learn more about NNEPR’s comprehensive offerings for the Toa Baja community at nnepr.org.
