Esperança becomes ‘Advance — Partnering for Healthy Communities’

‘Advance—Partnering for Healthy Communities’ better reflects scope of Esperanca

Staff Reports | Digital Free Press

Esperança is embarking on a new journey to better reflect the breadth of their health services and their vision of health equity for everyone.

As an organization that provides health resources to underserved communities across the globe, officials there say, the 501 (c)(3) nonprofit is reintroducing themselves to the next generation and solidifying who they are today, allowing them to reach new audiences.

The organization will now be known as Advance, announcing its rebranding on May 1, according to a press release.

Founded in 1970, Advance aims to reintroduce itself to the world with a new name and mission statement that clearly reflects the mission today — to not only provide hope for underserved communities, but advance them through tangible, sustainable progress toward optimal health.

When the organization was originally founded, they worked only in Brazil, addressing the specific issue of immunization of childhood diseases that had long been eradicated in the U.S—hence, the name ‘Esperança,’ which translates to “hope” in Portuguese.

“As the organization evolved over time and became more expansive in underserved Latino communities here in Phoenix, the organization transitioned beyond our origin story, and we felt that the brand ‘Esperança’ no longer adequately told our story for today and the future,” said Jeri Royce, president and CEO of Advance. “Our donors, many of whom have been by our side for more than 50 years, recognize the positive changes they have helped us provide to the community—and have encouraged and supported our desire to move forward in this way.”

Advance better represents the future of the organization as an Arizona-based nonprofit that focuses on strengthening underserved Latino communities in Phoenix and surrounding areas in the Valley, while continuing to improve health in Nicaragua, Mozambique, Bolivia, Peru, Mexico and Ecuador—providing the best support and resources it can offer to meet community needs.

‘Advance—Partnering for Healthy Communities’ better reflects scope of endeavor

In addition to embracing new visual components of the brand, including its logo, website and online content, Advance will also be introducing some innovative programs, including a food pantry where nutrition class participants are given food boxes containing healthy, culturally appropriate substitutions for common regularly eaten items.

For example, the packages will provide healthier alternatives such as brown rice instead of white rice, and olive oil instead of lard. This program is just one way the organization is not only providing hope in the classroom but taking it one step further by actually providing healthier food to advance class participants’ wellbeing.

Continuing their focus on what the community needs and updating their branding to reflect those needs, Advance has adopted the new tagline, “Partnering for Healthy Communities.”

“I have had the privilege of serving on the board of directors for the past six years. I have seen first-hand the focus on strengthening the organization’s programs and services, and most importantly, the positive impact it has made on communities worldwide,” says Mistie Weishaar, board chair of Advance.

“Even with witnessing only a fraction of the organization’s evolution over the past five decades, I can say with confidence that Advance and its future programs are truly representative of the organization and its focus on partnering for healthy communities. I am thrilled with the overwhelming support from our current donors and board members and am looking forward to seeing future innovations of the organization and the communities it serves.”