At Project Esperanza, our commitment to the Haitian immigrant and refugee families in Puerto Plata extends far beyond the classroom. Thanks to the unwavering support of our sponsors, we're able to provide holistic assistance that addresses their most pressing challenges. While free education is a foundational gift, we've observed profound gratitude when we can offer support in critical areas such as medical care, food distributions, and housing. For instance, providing food distributions for families with consistent student attendance has directly motivated other parents to improve their children's presence in school. Furthermore, offering assistance with rent during a parent's accident or contributing to necessary surgery costs has significantly built trust and fostered positive attitudes within the parent community. 

In the Batey of Muñoz, we're proud to have recently completed the construction of communal bathrooms, enhancing the quality of life for residents. We've also revitalized community engagement through our second-hand shop, reopened in the fall of 2024, directly across from the soccer field in the bateyes of Muñoz, right next to our school. Operating much like a thrift store, it circulates donated items at affordable prices, simultaneously creating vital work opportunities. We envision a future where community members can earn points through positive behaviors, like recycling, to use at the shop. This initiative requires ongoing promotion and donated items to remain sustainable. If you're in the area and have clothes, shoes, accessories, toys, household items, or electronics to contribute, please reach out! Shipping boxes or barrels from abroad is also a welcome way to support this valuable resource, especially as community members appreciate having local access given the current challenges with Immigration Control.