OUR HISTORY

Need for Housing

At the end of the 1970s, the city of Tijuana experienced a large population growth due to the establishment of maquiladoras because of newly available jobs and the large number of temporary residents who used Tijuana as a springboard in search of the American dream. These large migratory flows make it difficult for local governments to offer the services that these new inhabitants require.

It is in this scenario, that Esperanza (Esperanza International and Fundación Esperanza de Mexico) is born.

The Beginnings

Since our beginnings, our US volunteers have partnered with local Tijuana leaders and inhabitants to work together and create a significant social impact in the city of Tijuana. Our goal has always been to provide dignified and affordable housing with communities in vulnerable situations and at the same time create community and shed a positive light on the people of Tijuana through working alongside international volunteers. 

1984

Esperanza Beginnings

Robert Morris, Deacon Al Graff, and Fr. John Howard envision the organization out of the St. James Circle service group.

1984

1985

Registered Non-Profit

Esperanza International, Inc. (EI) is incorporated as a U.S. 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.

1985

1986

First Volunteer Group

Students from University of San Diego, the first volunteer group, builds 10’ x 20’ wooden houses in Tijuana.

1986

1989

Apartments for Migrants

Esperanza finds apartments for migrants camping in a San Diego canyon.

Esperanza is a partner in the Jimmy Carter house building event in Tijuana.

1989

1990

FEM is Founded

Fundación Esperanza de México, (FEM) a Tijuana based organization with a Mexican board of directors, is founded to direct the Tijuana area house-building work of Esperanza International.

1990

1991

Work in San Diego

Esperanza founds the Esperanza Housing and Community Development Corp. of San Diego for low-income housing operations in the San Diego area.

1991

1992

Concrete Blocks are Engineered

A cost-effective, safe, and volunteer friendly house-building system (Hainer block) is engineered for Tijuana building projects.

1992

1992

First Executive Director

Philippe Gagne becomes Esperanza International’s first Executive Director.

Apolonio Rodriguez and Sergio Rodriguez Sandoval are hired to coordinate work in the communities.

1992

1992

First Volunteer Group Coordinator

Victor Esparza becomes the first Esperanza Volunteer Group Coordinator responsible for United States volunteer groups.

1992

1992

Self Help Principles

Self-help and community development principles are introduced to the work of Esperanza.

1992

1993

First Community Savings Groups

First community savings groups (FAVs) are organized in Tijuana colonias.

Esperanza Housing and Community Development Corp. of San Diego merges to become Community Housing of North County.

1993

1995

Esperanza Health Clinic Opens

The Esperanza Health Clinic opens its doors to the residents of colonias near the Tijuana city dump.

1995

1996

Land is Purchased

Land is purchased for the construction of Pueblo Esperanza (La Posada).

1996

1998

Eduardo Joins Esperanza

Eduardo Zavala Reyes is hired as the third Esperanza Volunteer Group Coordinator.

1998

1998

First Long-Term Volunteer

The first long-term volunteer joins the Esperanza staff from September to December 1998.

Melissa Drollman is hired as the second Esperanza Volunteer Group Coordinator.

1998

1999

Pueblo Esperanza Opens

“Pueblo Esperanza” opens in La Gloria, providing improved lodging for volunteer groups from the U.S. and a facility for the support of local Esperanza communities.

1999

2000

First Executive Director of FEM

Josefina Pataky becomes the first Executive Director of Fundación Esperanza de México.

2000

2001

Building Expansion

Fundación Esperanza de México establishes an office at the Pueblo Esperanza compound.

Construction on a second volunteer housing wing to double the capacity begins at Pueblo Esperanza.

2001

2002

Board of Directors

Reorganization by the Esperanza International Board eliminates the Esperanza International Executive Director position.

2002

2002

Los Niños Group

The Esperanza International Board contracts with Los Niños for Esperanza volunteer group registration service.

2002

2002

FEM Achieves Non-Profit Status

Fundación Esperanza de México achieves nonprofit status in México.

A second volunteer housing wing at Pueblo Esperanza is completed.

2002

2003

Support From Mexican Government

Development continues in the Tijuana communities and Esperanza community organizations (FAVs). Support from the Mexican Government and major Mexican businesses grows.

2003

2003

Caretaker Housing

A caretaker house is built at Pueblo Esperanza. Construction begins on a gray water recycling system.

2003

2004

Second Long-Term Volunteer Added

Two long-term volunteers are needed to support growth in volunteer groups.

2004

2005

Pueblo Esperanza Grows

Construction for a long-term volunteer apartment is completed atop the caretaker’s house. The community center at Pueblo Esperanza is completed, and Pueblo Esperanza begins a composting program

2005

2005

Chip Bags and Inner Tube Purses

Fundación Esperanza de México introduces home enterprise chip bag and inner tube purse construction projects as a means to increase family income.

2005

2005

First Ecology Education Event

A joint project of Fundación Esperanza de México, Tijuana Public School teachers, Los Niños, and Ecoparque brings 1,800 students together for the first annual ecology education event.

2005

2006

First Spanish Immersion Program

The first Spanish immersion program is offered at Pueblo Esperanza.

2006

2007

Native Plants Garden at La Posada

FEM develops a “native plants” garden at Pueblo Esperanza through a grant from the San Diego Natural History Museum for the purpose of continuing their work in ecology education.

2007

2008

First Tortilla Cooperative

The first Esperanza Tortilla Cooperative in Valle Verde begins.

2008

2008

Seattle University Study Abroad

The first Seattle University accredited study abroad academic program is offered through Professor Paul Milan.

2008

2009

San Diego State University

San Diego State University offers an academic study program.

2009

2010

Oaxaca Expansion

An expansion program in Rio Grande, Oaxaca opens and the first volunteer group visits Oaxaca. 

2010

2010

First Lomas Del Valle Home

The first home is completed in the new Esperanza housing development in Lomas Del Valle.

2010

2010

La Posada Housing

Completion of a new housing unit at La Posada (Pueblo Esperanza).

2010

2013

New Housing Prototype

New housing prototype is used for a special build in the Ensenada area.

2013

2015

Australia, Germany, and Little Italy

Welcomed The Cardoner Project from Australia and students from University of Stuttgart, Germany.

Esperanza International establishes office in Little Italy, San Diego.

2015

2016

2 New Community Savings Groups

Fundación Esperanza de México begins work in 2 new communities, “Los Castores” and “Primo Tapia”. These two new Community Savings Groups begin to save for new homes in 2017.

2016

2017

Ground Breaks for Casa Mil

Fundación Esperanza de México breaks ground on 'Casa Mil', the 1,000th Esperanza home for the Cervantes Family in the colonia of La Morita.

2017

2018

First "Friendraiser"

Fundación Esperanza de México has a new Executive Director: Ernesto Aguilar.


Esperanza International hosted a "Friendraiser" at Border X Brewing in San Diego, CA.

2018

2019

Clean Energy Upgrade

Thanks to the support of our amazing donors, we completed a clean energy upgrade for La Posada: a 19.95 kW solar panel installation. The system is a ‘grid-tie’ system designed to generate power equal to the entire energy consumption of La Posada.

2019

2019

First Fall Fiesta Fundraiser

Esperanza International hosted a successful Fall Fiesta at Pondera Winery, in Woodinville, WA.

2019

2020-2021

Navigating the Pandemic

Hosted a virtual Spanish immersion program & found creative ways to support our communities through the pandemic.

2020-2021

2022

Binational Mission

Developed a new binational mission statement, joining Fundacion Esperanza de Mexico and Esperanza International in the same Mission, Vision, and Values. 

2022