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Portland nonprofit unveils La Plaza Esperanza in Gresham
Portland nonprofit unveils La Plaza Esperanza in Gresham
Portland nonprofit unveils La Plaza Esperanza in Gresham

Published on: 04/18/2025

This news was posted by Oregon Today News

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Children perform a traditional ballet folklórico dance at the start of the grand opening ceremony for La Plaza Esperanza on Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Rockwood, a neighborhood east of Portland. The performance was followed by remarks from local leaders and Latino Network staff celebrating the new education and community center.People leave La Plaza Esperanza during its grand opening on Thursday, April 17, 2025. The new 18,000-square-foot community center, operated by Latino Network, is located in Rockwood, a neighborhood east of Portland.Visitors gather in the reception area at La Plaza Esperanza during its grand opening on Thursday, April 17, 2025. The large lobby is the main entry point to the 18,000-square-foot community center operated by Latino Network in Rockwood, a neighborhood east of Portland.The preschool classroom at La Plaza Esperanza includes colorful learning materials, wood furnishings and a built-in kitchen. The space is part of the new 18,000-square-foot community center operated by Latino Network in Rockwood, a neighborhood in East Portland.An indoor-outdoor play area at La Plaza Esperanza features cushioned flooring, natural wood structures and open-air design. The photo was taken during the center’s grand opening on Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Rockwood, a neighborhood in East Portland. The play space is part of the 18,000-square-foot facility operated by Latino Network.Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek speaks during the grand opening of La Plaza Esperanza on Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Rockwood, a neighborhood in East Portland. Kotek addressed a packed crowd inside the center’s large multi-use space, celebrating the new Latino Network facility and its mission to serve Latino youth and families.Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek speaks during the grand opening of La Plaza Esperanza on Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Rockwood, a neighborhood in East Portland. Kotek addressed a packed crowd inside the center’s large multi-use space, celebrating the new Latino Network facility and its mission to serve Latino youth and families.A woman watches a cultural performance while seated with a young boy on Thursday, April 17, 2025, at the grand opening of La Plaza Esperanza in Rockwood.Audience members react during speeches on Thursday, April 17, 2025, at the grand opening of La Plaza Esperanza, a new Latino Network facility that includes a preschool, community spaces and offices for youth and family services.Multnomah County Commissioner Vince Jones-Dixon, who represents District 4 in East Multnomah County, speaks at the La Plaza Esperanza grand opening on Thursday, April 18, 2024.Attendees listen and applaud during a speech Thursday, April 17, 2025, at the grand opening of La Plaza Esperanza, Latino Network’s new community center located in Rockwood, east of Portland.Mikki Rodriguez, a board officer at Latino Network and partner at Mortgage Café NW, speaks during the grand opening of La Plaza Esperanza on Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Rockwood, a neighborhood between Portland and Gresham. Rodriguez was among several community leaders who addressed attendees at the event.Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek speaks during the grand opening of La Plaza Esperanza on Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Rockwood, a neighborhood in East Portland. Kotek addressed a packed crowd inside the center’s large multi-use space, celebrating the new Latino Network facility and its mission to serve Latino youth and families.Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek speaks during the grand opening of La Plaza Esperanza on Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Rockwood, a neighborhood in East Portland. Kotek addressed a packed crowd inside the center’s large multi-use space, celebrating the new Latino Network facility and its mission to serve Latino youth and families.A man photographs a speaker on Thursday, April 17, 2025, during the grand opening celebration of La Plaza Esperanza, a new Latino Network hub serving the Rockwood neighborhood.Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek talks with attendees following the formal program at the grand opening of La Plaza Esperanza on Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Rockwood, a neighborhood in East Portland. Kotek joined community members in celebrating the new Latino Network center, which will serve Latino youth and families through culturally specific programs.Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek hugs Latino Network Executive Director Tony DeFalco during the grand opening of La Plaza Esperanza on Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Rockwood, a neighborhood in East Portland. The two shared a moment after addressing attendees at the opening of the new education and community center.Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek speaks during the grand opening of La Plaza Esperanza on Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Rockwood, a neighborhood in East Portland. Kotek addressed a packed crowd inside the center’s large multi-use space, celebrating the new Latino Network facility and its mission to serve Latino youth and families.People gather inside La Plaza Esperanza to watch speeches and a cultural dance performance on Thursday, April 17, 2025, during the grand opening celebration.Guests serve themselves during a community meal at the grand opening of La Plaza Esperanza on Thursday, April 17, 2025. The new Latino Network community center is located in Rockwood, a neighborhood between Portland and Gresham.Small cups of esquites, a Mexican street corn salad, were served at the grand opening of La Plaza Esperanza on April 17, 2025. The event featured a variety of traditional dishes.Birria tacos were among the dishes served during the grand opening celebration of La Plaza Esperanza in Rockwood, a neighborhood between Portland and Gresham.Guests were served empanadas at the grand opening of La Plaza Esperanza, a new Latino Network community center east of Portland.Jairo Rios-Campos, who locals jokingly refer to as theLatino Network Executive Director Tony DeFalco stands outside La Plaza Esperanza during its grand opening on Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Rockwood, a neighborhood in East Portland. DeFalco helped lead the effort to open the new education and community center, which offers culturally specific programs for Latino youth and families.A mural by a local artist hangs in a hallway at La Plaza Esperanza, one of several commissioned for the new community center. The 18,000-square-foot facility, operated by Latino Network, is located in Rockwood, a neighborhood east of Portland.Children perform a traditional ballet folklórico dance at the start of the grand opening ceremony for La Plaza Esperanza on Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Rockwood, a neighborhood in East Portland. The performance was followed by remarks from local leaders and Latino Network staff celebrating the new education and community center.Children perform a traditional ballet folklórico dance at the start of the grand opening ceremony for La Plaza Esperanza on Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Rockwood, a neighborhood in East Portland. The performance was followed by remarks from local leaders and Latino Network staff celebrating the new education and community center.Children perform a traditional ballet folklórico dance at the start of the grand opening ceremony for La Plaza Esperanza on Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Rockwood, a neighborhood in East Portland. The performance was followed by remarks from local leaders and Latino Network staff celebrating the new education and community center.Children perform a traditional ballet folklórico dance at the start of the grand opening ceremony for La Plaza Esperanza on Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Rockwood, a neighborhood in East Portland. The performance was followed by remarks from local leaders and Latino Network staff celebrating the new education and community center.Children perform a traditional ballet folklórico dance at the start of the grand opening ceremony for La Plaza Esperanza on Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Rockwood, a neighborhood in East Portland. The performance was followed by remarks from local leaders and Latino Network staff celebrating the new education and community center.Children perform a traditional ballet folklórico dance at the start of the grand opening ceremony for La Plaza Esperanza on Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Rockwood, a neighborhood in East Portland. The performance was followed by remarks from local leaders and Latino Network staff celebrating the new education and community center.Children perform a traditional ballet folklórico dance at the start of the grand opening ceremony for La Plaza Esperanza on Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Rockwood, a neighborhood in East Portland. The performance was followed by remarks from local leaders and Latino Network staff celebrating the new education and community center.Children perform a traditional ballet folklórico dance at the start of the grand opening ceremony for La Plaza Esperanza on Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Rockwood, a neighborhood in East Portland. The performance was followed by remarks from local leaders and Latino Network staff celebrating the new education and community center.Children perform a traditional ballet folklórico dance at the start of the grand opening ceremony for La Plaza Esperanza on Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Rockwood, a neighborhood in East Portland. The performance was followed by remarks from local leaders and Latino Network staff celebrating the new education and community center.Children perform a traditional ballet folklórico dance at the start of the grand opening ceremony for La Plaza Esperanza on Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Rockwood, a neighborhood in East Portland. The performance was followed by remarks from local leaders and Latino Network staff celebrating the new education and community center.Children perform a traditional ballet folklórico dance at the start of the grand opening ceremony for La Plaza Esperanza on Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Rockwood, a neighborhood in East Portland. The performance was followed by remarks from local leaders and Latino Network staff celebrating the new education and community center.Children perform a traditional ballet folklórico dance at the start of the grand opening ceremony for La Plaza Esperanza on Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Rockwood, a neighborhood in East Portland. The performance was followed by remarks from local leaders and Latino Network staff celebrating the new education and community center.Children perform a traditional ballet folklórico dance at the start of the grand opening ceremony for La Plaza Esperanza on Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Rockwood, a neighborhood in East Portland. The performance was followed by remarks from local leaders and Latino Network staff celebrating the new education and community center.Children perform a traditional ballet folklórico dance at the start of the grand opening ceremony for La Plaza Esperanza on Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Rockwood, a neighborhood in East Portland. The performance was followed by remarks from local leaders and Latino Network staff celebrating the new education and community center.Children perform a traditional ballet folklórico dance at the start of the grand opening ceremony for La Plaza Esperanza on Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Rockwood, a neighborhood in East Portland. The performance was followed by remarks from local leaders and Latino Network staff celebrating the new education and community center.The preschool classroom at La Plaza Esperanza includes colorful learning materials, wood furnishings and a built-in kitchen. The space is part of the new 18,000-square-foot community center operated by Latino Network in Rockwood, a neighborhood in East Portland.The preschool classroom at La Plaza Esperanza includes colorful learning materials, wood furnishings and a built-in kitchen. The space is part of the new 18,000-square-foot community center operated by Latino Network in Rockwood, a neighborhood in East Portland.The preschool classroom at La Plaza Esperanza features high ceilings, natural light and wood furnishings. The spacious room is part of the new 18,000-square-foot community center operated by Latino Network in Rockwood, a neighborhood in East Portland.The indoor-outdoor play area at La Plaza Esperanza features cushioned flooring, natural wood elements, interactive structures and an open-air design. The space is designed to support safe, creative play for young children at the new community center in Rockwood, a neighborhood in East Portland.The preschool bathroom at La Plaza Esperanza includes child-height sinks and toilets designed for young children. The facility is part of the Latino Network’s new community center in Rockwood, a neighborhood in East Portland.A staff member stands next to the child-sized toilet stalls inside the preschool bathroom at La Plaza Esperanza, offering a sense of scale. The facilities are designed for children at the new Latino Network community center in Rockwood, a neighborhood east of Portland.The staff break room at La Plaza Esperanza includes seating, a whiteboard and access to natural light. The space is part of the 18,000-square-foot community center operated by Latino Network in Rockwood, a neighborhood east of Portland.Community members gather for the grand opening of La Plaza Esperanza on Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Rockwood, a neighborhood in East Portland. Local leaders and officials, including Gov. Tina Kotek, joined Latino Network staff to celebrate the opening of the 18,000-square-foot education and community center, which features a preschool, computer lab, indoor play area, murals by local artists, and a small fenced turf soccer field. The center offers culturally specific programs and services for Latino youth and families.An indoor-outdoor play area at La Plaza Esperanza features cushioned flooring, natural wood structures and open-air design. The photo was taken during the center’s grand opening on Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Rockwood, a neighborhood in East Portland. The play space is part of the 18,000-square-foot facility operated by Latino Network.An indoor-outdoor play area at La Plaza Esperanza features cushioned flooring, natural wood structures and open-air design. The photo was taken during the center’s grand opening on Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Rockwood, a neighborhood in East Portland. The play space is part of the 18,000-square-foot facility operated by Latino Network.The indoor-outdoor play area at La Plaza Esperanza includes a kid-friendly climbing wall, one of several features designed to support active play. The photo was taken during the center’s grand opening on Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Rockwood, a neighborhood in East Portland.An indoor-outdoor play area at La Plaza Esperanza features cushioned flooring, natural wood structures and open-air design. The photo was taken during the center’s grand opening on Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Rockwood, a neighborhood in East Portland. The play space is part of the 18,000-square-foot facility operated by Latino Network.The indoor-outdoor play area at La Plaza Esperanza features cushioned flooring, natural wood elements, interactive structures and an open-air design. The space is designed to support safe, creative play for young children at the new community center in Rockwood, a neighborhood in East Portland.The indoor-outdoor play area at La Plaza Esperanza features cushioned flooring, natural wood elements, interactive structures and an open-air design. The space is designed to support safe, creative play for young children at the new community center in Rockwood, a neighborhood in East Portland.An indoor-outdoor play area at La Plaza Esperanza features cushioned flooring, natural wood structures and open-air design. The photo was taken during the center’s grand opening on Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Rockwood, a neighborhood in East Portland. The play space is part of the 18,000-square-foot facility operated by Latino Network.The indoor-outdoor play area at La Plaza Esperanza features cushioned flooring, natural wood elements, interactive structures and an open-air design. The space is designed to support safe, creative play for young children at the new community center in Rockwood, a neighborhood in East Portland.Floor plans for La Plaza Esperanza show the layout of the 18,000-square-foot community center in Rockwood, a neighborhood between Portland and Gresham. The ground floor includes a preschool, multi-purpose rooms and a program hub, while the loft level features office and meeting space. The building is operated by Latino Network.Floor plans for La Plaza Esperanza show the layout of the 18,000-square-foot community center in Rockwood, a neighborhood between Portland and Gresham. The ground floor includes a preschool, multi-purpose rooms and a program hub, while the loft level features office and meeting space. The building is operated by Latino Network.Community members gather for the grand opening of La Plaza Esperanza on Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Rockwood, a neighborhood in East Portland. Local leaders and officials, including Gov. Tina Kotek, joined Latino Network staff to celebrate the opening of the 18,000-square-foot education and community center, which features a preschool, computer lab, indoor play area, murals by local artists, and a small fenced turf soccer field. The center offers culturally specific programs and services for Latino youth and families.A table and chairs sit at the end of a hallway inside La Plaza Esperanza, offering space for visitors and staff to work, talk or take a break. The new community center, operated by Latino Network, is located in Rockwood, a neighborhood east of Portland.An office space at La Plaza Esperanza includes a small play area for children, offering support for staff who bring their kids to work. The photo was taken during the grand opening on Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Rockwood, a neighborhood in East Portland.People play soccer on the fenced outdoor field at La Plaza Esperanza in Rockwood, a neighborhood east of Portland. The small turf field is part of the new 18,000-square-foot community center operated by Latino Network.

As a father of two — and mayor to 5,000 in the east Multnomah County enclave of Wood Village — Jairo Rios-Campos knows how important it is to provide safe, healthy and positive spaces for people of all ages.

News Source : https://www.oregonlive.com/eastportland/2025/04/latino-nonprofit-unveils-much-needed-space-in-heart-of-east-multnomah-county.html

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