WHO WE ARE

Proud of our Community Development

Founded in 1977 in Loiza, Puerto Rico by the Company of the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul, Centro Esperanza is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping the children, youth and families of Loiza and its neighboring towns. Historically, we work actively to respond to community needs and promote its development.

With an integral approach and academic education as the focal points of our work, we demonstrate our commitment through our core community programs: Montessori of the Sea, Life and Hope, Melodies of Hope, Mochila Alegre (Happy Backpack), and Heritage Tourism and Community Service.

Educators from the beginning

Our journey began by providing services to special education children from poor families in Loíza. Back then, the Loiza community lacked the teaching capacity and support required for children with special needs.  Later on, in response to community need and demand, we began to offer traditional pre-school education, which subsequently lead to the Montessori philosophy.

Today, we offer high-quality, certified education services. In compliance with the Puerto Rico Department of State and Department of the Family, we operate a beautiful Montessori school for children 18 months to 9 years.

Addressing violence, drug addiction and school dropout

One of Puerto Rico’s greatest challenges is ensuring educational stability for children and youth, and Loiza is no exception. At the same time, we’re facing and tackling the pressing problem of school dropout and the adverse consequences of crime and drug addiction.

Promoting peace and mental health

We are deeply committed to serving the Loiza community and its neighboring towns through peace education, individualized music instruction, and mental health support. Centro Esperanza offers a welcoming space, a place of friendship, empowerment, solidarity, respect and freedom, where children and youth enjoy learning and enhancing their innate potential, as families find opportunities and experiences to achieve economic stability and healthy coexistence.

Our Team

Board of Directors

César A. Osorio Casanova

PRESIDENT

Rosa J. Calcaño Rivera

VICE PRESIDENT

Sor Glenda Y. Ríos Gónzalez

SECRETARY

Edith Verdejo Hernández

TREASURER

Elvia I. Soto Mójica

BOARD MEMBER

María Cecilia Ortíz Elicier

BOARD MEMBER

Vidalina Calderón Fuentes

BOARD MEMBER

Luz Arelis Martínez Cruz

BOARD MEMBER

Miriam E. Santiago Rodríguez

BOARD MEMBER

Enox Medina De Jesús

BOARD MEMBER

Luis Daniel Pizarro Osorio

BOARD MEMBER

Staff

Sor Claribel Camacho Figueroa

Sor Claribel Camacho Figueroa, HC

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Sor Onelia Blanco Torres HC

Sor Onelia Blanco Torres, HC

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT

Carmen Ayala Rivera

Carmen L. Ayala Rivera

VICE PRESIDENT

Ineabelle Ayala

Ineabelle Ayala

"MOCHILA ALEGRE" (HAPPY BACK PACK) PROGRAM MANAGER

Marilyn Rodríguez Santana

TEACHER

José C. Sanjurjo Calcaño

DRIVER

Elix Figueroa Quiñones

HORTICULTURE PROGRAM MANAGER

Luz Mirtala Cirino Cruz

Luz Mirtala Cirino Cruz

MAINTENANCE

Amanda Lanzó Olivero

Amanda Lanzó Olivero

SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR

Gloria Rivera Siaca

Gloria Rivera Siaca

ELEMENTARY MONTESSORI GUIDE, MONTESSORI OF THE SEA

Merianny Heureaux

Merianny Heureaux

Primary 2 Montessori Guide, Montessori of the Sea

Deborah Delgado Ortíz

Primary 1 Montessori Guide, Montessori of the Sea

Aleida Lacén Correa

Montessori Elementary 1 Guide, Montessori del Mar

Louise A. De Jesús Manso

Louise A. De Jesús Manso

Guide assistant Primary 2, Montessori of the Sea

Gladys Fuentes Plaza

Guide assistant Primary 1, Montessori of the Sea

Ellemanuely Negrón Ayala

Infants and Toddlers Montessori Guide, Montessori of the Sea

Luangie E. Pérez Pizarro

Infant and Toddlers Montessori Guide, Montessori of the Sea

César A. Díaz Osorio

Music Teacher, Melodies of Hope Program

César Canales De Jesús

Founder and Music Teacher of Melodies of Hope Program

Militza Lebrón Rosa, Ph.D

Director of Life and Hope Program

Jonathan Torres García

School Psychologist, Life and Hope Program

Orlando Sánchez Rivera

Psychologist, Life and Hope Program

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