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 […]
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, […]
Please note: The information and call to action below reflect the situation as of November 6, 2025. See our updated statement as of November 12 for current information and action steps. Survivors can’t afford to trade healthcare security for food security. As Domestic Violence Awareness Month drew to a close, many […]
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.” […]









