Esperanza de Tejas expands mobile clinic with Driscoll Health Plan support

Esperanza de Tejas, a Coastal Bend non-profit, is expanding its efforts to deliver diapers and other family necessities to underserved communities.

Last week, the organization celebrated a $8,000 contribution from Driscoll Health Plan for a new mobile community connection center.

The mobile pop-up clinic program offers free hygiene items, baby wipes and diapers through the Ni?os de Esperanza Diaper Bank and Children's Free Store, which has served Corpus Christi and nearby communities. The clinic's new service areas include San Patricio, Kleberg, Victoria, Hidalgo, Webb, Zapata, Cameron, Starr and Willacy counties.

"We invite local community resources to our events so the community can get this information," Esperanza de Tejas founder and CEO Brianna Davis said.

The non-profit has partnered with groups like food banks for events and with Crimson Cause to make feminine hygiene products available. Anyone can receive services, Davis said. There are no income restrictions.

"If you're documented, undocumented, if you don't have an ID, if you are one of our unhoused brothers and sisters... it does not matter," Davis said. "We are here to serve."

Esperanza de Tejas began about four years ago, providing supplies like food boxes and hygiene items during the pandemic.

Shortly after starting the non-profit, Davis was inspired by her own pregnancy to start the diaper bank and children's free store.

"Esperanza has really been an opportunity to be like a love letter to our community and for us to show how much we care about it," Davis said.

Last year, it served over 1,000 individuals, with events in the Coastal Bend as well as in the Rio Grande Valley.

"It's time for us to extend our impact further into South Texas," Davis said.

In addition to the diaper giveaways and community resource events, the organization also has a scholarship and student leadership program and offers assistance for students paying college application fees.

Last year, the group gave out four scholarships. This fall, it is planning to give 13.

"We do resume-writing, interview skills, financial literacy, conflict resolution and how to brand and market yourself with high school juniors and seniors," Davis said.

The group is also starting a pilot garden program at Travis Elementary School.

"The idea is to serve our community holistically, ensure that we are teaching kids how to garden and ensuring whatever crops they create goes back into that community," Davis said.

If people need supplies like diapers or wipes, they can also contact Esperanza de Tejas directly at 281-744-5060 to pick up supplies outside of the pop-up events.

"We are here in Corpus Christi and we are here to serve," Davis said.

Here's where the clinic will be in the coming months:

• 3-5 p.m. Friday, April 12 at Family Engagement Center in Rio Grande City

• 11 a.m.- 1p.m. Tuesday, April 16 at Johnny S. Calderon Nueces County in Robstown

• 2-5 p.m. Saturday, April 27 at Proyecto Desarollo Humano in Penitas

• 3-5 p.m. Friday, May 17 at the Civic Center in Zapata

• 2-4 p.m. Friday, June 21 at Open Hands Donna in Donna

• 3-5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24 at Brownsville Public Library in Brownsville

• 4-6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 18 at Kingsville Housing Authority in Kingsville

• 5-7p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12 at Innovative Network Knowledge in Victoria

• 4-6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 19 at Otis Klar Head Start in Raymondville

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This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Esperanza de Tejas offers resources to underserved communities