La Plaza Esperanza: A Dream Realized Together

SVP Portland and Latino Network celebrate a meaningful milestone together at La Plaza Esperanza.

On May 8th, SVP Portland joined Latino Network to celebrate a shared milestone—the opening of La Plaza Esperanza, Latino Network’s new early childhood education and family support center in East Portland. The event was more than just a tour of a new facility; it was a celebration of over a decade of deep partnership rooted in trust, mutual learning, and a shared vision for equity and opportunity.

La Plaza Esperanza was born from a long-held dream: a culturally rooted, community-centered space where Latino children and families can thrive. It now houses a high-quality preschool classroom and serves as a hub for Latino Network’s expansive programming in education, leadership development, advocacy, and wraparound services.

“We’ve dreamed of a place like this for a long time,” said Latino Network Executive Director Tony DeFalco. “Every little investment that gets made—whether it's human capital or dollars—starts to build toward something greater. And that ‘greater’ is right here in this building.”

Latino Network and SVP began their partnership in 2012 with modest goals—a bit of HR, some finance and IT support. But what was initially planned as a two-year engagement evolved into a 13-year journey that has helped scale Latino Network’s impact from a small team of 15 to a staff of over 275 today. Together, the organizations have strengthened capacity, advanced advocacy, and expanded access to culturally affirming education for Latino children across Oregon.

The new preschool classroom at La Plaza Esperanza represents the next chapter of that legacy. “I think this is a really beautiful example of how you build power in community,” said SVP Executive Director Lauren Johnson. “It’s what happens when people come together and invest their hearts, minds, and resources over time.”

Holly Levow, longtime SVP Investor Partner and Lead Partner to Latino Network, reflected on the impact the partnership has had on both organizations. “Latino Network helped us figure out how to do this kind of work in a deeper, more responsive way,” she said. “We brought time, skills, strategy, funding—but we also learned to show up differently, to listen better, and to build something with a Community Partner instead of for one.”

Mark Holloway, former SVP Portland CEO added: “You helped break the model for SVP. Instead of a rigid two-year investment cycle, we walked with you for thirteen years—trusting the relationship, learning together, and showing up when it mattered most.”

The result is transformational. Preschool for All—a policy movement that Latino Network and SVP helped champion together—is now a reality in Multnomah County. Thousands of children are entering classrooms that are not only academically enriching, but culturally joyful and led by well-supported educators.

As La Plaza Esperanza opens its doors, it stands not just as a building, but as a symbol: of what’s possible when community-led dreams are met with long-term, trust-based partnership. For SVP and Latino Network, it’s a celebration of what has been accomplished—and an invitation to keep dreaming forward, together.