Skip to main content
Skip to main content
Updated 11/30/2024

Nueva Esperanza Inc.

  • M

    MA

Institution/Business Type: Cultural Series Organization

Nueva Esperanza, Inc. was originally founded in 1982 by the residents of many landlord-neglected apartment buildings in South Holyoke, one of four neighborhoods in what was once the industrial heart of the city. The founders mobilized residents, collaboratively assisted by three other social organizations, and on their behalf secured the needed financing to rehabilitate the properties in order to provide safe and affordable housing. With great success, the organization incorporated as a community development corporation (CDC) and expanded it’s mission to include social and community services for all the neighborhood residents. 

Today, Nueva Esperanza, Inc. is regarded as a pioneer for community-based programs in Holyoke that celebrate and highlight the Puerto Rican/Afro Caribbean Culture.  Nueva is rooted in its new Mission and Vision that will help it rise again from the ashes to a place of developing the community as a whole.

Mission: Nueva Esperanza exists to be a catalyst and partner for a vibrant, sustainable and powerful Puerto Rican/Afro-Caribbean community in Holyoke.

Vision: Nueva Esperanza’s vision is to be a hub for community, creation, and culture for the Puerto Rican/Afro-Caribbean community.

— Creation: By creating new opportunities through social justice and community education focusing on leadership and creative youth development, we continue moving both the organization and the community forward.

— Community: Maintaining and expanding Nueva Esperanza’s property assets will make us leaders by example in how members of the community can take ownership of their neighborhoods and get more involved within their communities.

— Culture: To strive to become a Puerto Rican/Afro Caribbean Cultural Center that keeps our traditions, art, and history alive within our communities.

Find Me

Kayla Rodriguez (she/her)
Job Title: Executive Director
Phone: 413-437-7666
Address:
401 Main Street
Holyoke, MA 01040

Social Media:

About

Overview

Institution/Business Type:

Cultural Series Organization

Legal Status:

Nonprofit - Independent

Year Founded:

1982

Overview

Institution/Business Type:

Cultural Series Organization

Legal Status:

Nonprofit - Independent

Year Founded:

1982

Disciplines

Primary Discipline:

Multi-Disciplinary

Additional Disciplines:

  • Multi-Disciplinary

Activities and Services

Activities and Services:

  • Consulting - Curatorial Services
  • Community Arts
  • Exhibitions
  • Film Showings
  • Performance / Concert / Reading
  • Professional Network Gatherings / Events
  • Residency - Community
  • Wedding / Parties / Private Gatherings
  • Fiscal Sponsorship
  • Venue Rental
  • Cultural Education
  • Art Conservation
  • Arts and Health
  • Arts for Social Change / Creative Activism
  • Creation of a Work of Art (Including Commissions)
  • Cultural Preservation
  • Public Art Projects (In Free, Public Spaces)
  • Artist Representation / Artist Management
  • Consulting - Organizational Capacity
Seasons Active: summer
Events Per Year: 2

Communities

Populations Engaged:

  • Adults
  • Artists
  • Businesses
  • Elders
  • LGBTQ Populations
  • General Public
  • Families
  • Houseless/Housing Insecure Individuals
  • Immigrant Populations
  • Incarcerated (or Formerly Incarcerated) individuals
  • Nonprofits
  • Native American Tribes
  • People with Disabilities
  • School Groups
  • Teens
  • Veteran/Active Duty Military Personnel
  • Youth-At-Risk

Languages Available:

  • English
  • Spanish

Geographic Reach:

  • Town / City
  • National

Accessibility of Services

Accessibility of Services:

  • Access accommodations for people who use a wheelchair and have limited mobility

Nueva Esperanza is committed to fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment for all community members. Accessibility accommodations can be arranged with advance notice for specific needs. We continuously strive to improve accessibility through community feedback and collaboration with local organizations specializing in disability services.

Media Gallery

I Have Worked With

Affiliations and Accomplishments

Professional Associations

Professional Associations:

  • Mass Cultural Council- Cultural Districts (Recently designated as the 58th District in Holyoke- Holyoke Puerto Rican Cultural District.
  • Holyoke Chamber of Commerce

Professional Associations

Professional Associations:

  • Mass Cultural Council- Cultural Districts (Recently designated as the 58th District in Holyoke- Holyoke Puerto Rican Cultural District.
  • Holyoke Chamber of Commerce

Awards

Awards:

  • Many Awards were granted in the past before my time (Current & only full time employee)