This year, Congress passed new fees related to asylum applications; these include a $100 fee for filing an initial asylum application and a new $100 annual asylum fee (AAF) that asylum seekers must pay for having a pending application. In response to a lawsuit by ASAP against USCIS, a federal judge […]
When a mother entered Esperanza United’s transitional housing program, she carried the weight of protecting her family. After fleeing an abusive relationship, she sought a new beginning for herself and her 14-year-old daughter. What she didn’t expect was to discover that her daughter, too, was experiencing teen dating violence. Through gentle, […]
As Domestic Violence Awareness Month drew to a close, many survivors were left worrying how they would put food on the table if the November Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payments were withheld during the government shutdown. At the last moment, two judges ordered the government to tap into emergency funds […]
At Esperanza United, we know no single organization or person is going to end gender-based violence alone – it will take communities, working together. That’s why Latina leadership and community-based solutions are two of our organizational values. To advance this strengths-based approach, Esperanza United President and CEO Vivian Huelgo, J.D. is […]
At Esperanza United, we know no single organization or person is going to end gender-based violence alone – it will take communities, working together. That’s why Latina leadership and community-based solutions are two of our organizational values. To advance this strengths-based approach, Esperanza United President and CEO Vivian Huelgo, J.D. is […]
Earlier this year, Esperanza United hosted our first Congressional Week of Action – five days dedicated to bringing more survivor voices into national policy conversations. Over the course of the week, we organized 23 meetings between survivors and congressional representatives and trained 31 advocates – all of which proved what we’ve […]
In this episode of Conversations over Cafecito, the second part of a special series for Hispanic Heritage Month, we sit down with Michelle Vilchez, a Latina leader with over 30 years of community service and advocacy experience. Michelle shares her journey of working across movements for democracy, education, and civic engagement, […]
At Esperanza United, we know no single organization or person is going to end gender-based violence alone – it will take communities, working together. That’s why Latina leadership and community-based solutions are two of our organizational values. To advance this strengths-based approach, Esperanza United President and CEO Vivian Huelgo, J.D. is […]
When a Spanish-speaking father picked up the phone to call Esperanza United, he did it with a knot in his throat. He wasn’t sure anyone would believe him. In his mind, echoed the same old phrases he had heard too many times: “Men are not victims. Men endure. Men don’t cry.” […]
Marina Lacerda, Danielle Bensky, Anouska De Georgiou, Courtney Wild, Haley Robson, Annie Farmer, Teresa Helm, Liz Stein, Jena-Lisa Jones, Lisa Phillips, Jess Michaels — and every survivor who stood, spoke, or showed up — thank you. Thank you for speaking up for those who are no longer here, and for saying […]









