Health challenges like asthma, diabetes, hypertension, and poor mental health are unfortunately common in Hunting Park. We need coordinated and community-led action to understand and address factors affecting our community’s health and well-being.
Beginning in 2024, Esperanza and the Philadelphia Department of Public Health’s Division of Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention (CDIP) together launched a new initiative called Health Justice for Hunting Park. CDIP provided funding in recognition of Hunting Park’s challenges and strengths, and the need to identify neighborhood-level approaches to improve health.
In the fall of 2024, Esperanza used that funding to launch a Request for Proposals (RFP) in Hunting Park, to identify and fund community-led projects to improve health and well-being. A total of $50,000 was available to be awarded. Funded projects were expected to work to prevent chronic disease (like diabetes) and/or injury (falls, gun violence) and/or address other factors that affect residents’ health, such as housing, education, racism/discrimination, or the environment. Funded projects needed to demonstrate some immediate quality of life improvements for Hunting Park residents. Funded organizations were also expected to participate in the Health Justice for Hunting Park Collaborative, helping to build towards longer-term changes needed to make Hunting Park healthier.
Several organizations and groups in and around Hunting Park applied for the funding. After a competitive selection process, four organizations were awarded and formed the Health Justice for Hunting Park Collaborative, alongside Esperanza and the Philadelphia Department of Public Health.
The organizations are: Timoteo Sports, Mi Salud Wellness Center, Nicetown-Tioga Improvement Team, and Hunting Park United.
The Collaborative and its funded projects launched in January 2025 and will continue through December of this year. Timoteo Sports is leading a project combining youth sports and mentoring to address mental and emotional well-being, as well as physical fitness.
Mi Salud Wellness Center’s project is focused on a holistic health education program for adults, youth and the elderly. Keila Canete, Director of Mi Salud Wellness, told me, “Participating in the Health Justice for Hunting Park Collaborative has been a rewarding experience! Not only have we seen the value of our project, but we have seen the value of the other projects involved.”
Nicetown-Tioga Improvement Team (NTIT) is deepening their health outreach as part of their regular roster of community events, as well as activating their community gardens. Cynthia Barnes, Co-Director at NTIT told us, “We were fortunate to be awarded the Health Justice for Hunting Park grant, which helps us advocate for resources needed to make a green healthy community. We held several intergenerational events with various vendors focusing on Health and Wellness, we have a few more events focusing on health this year”.
Finally, Hunting Park United is expanding their annual events and activities in the park for the community, integrating health resources and education. These include community clean-ups, bike giveaways and beatification activities.
The organizations have met twice so far as the Health Justice for Hunting Park Collaborative to support each other’s work and participate in capacity-building for health justice. The next meeting is coming up in August, which all are looking forward to. Leroy Fisher, Director of Hunting Park United, said, “Being part of this Collaborative has expanded our reach and deepened our partnerships—allowing us to meet residents where they are and build a healthier, more empowered Hunting Park.”
Through Health Justice for Hunting Park, Esperanza works to advance community health and build meaningful partnerships that bridge City government, neighborhood residents and local organizations.
