In the Brighton Park neighborhood of southwest Chicago, finding quality, affordable healthcare wasn’t always easy. For years, this historically Latino community lacked nearby medical services. Families often had no choice but to travel across the city to see a doctor.

That began to change in 2017, when Esperanza Health Centers set out to bring care closer to home. They had a vision: transform three acres of land into a full-service health center that would meet the real needs of the community.

But making that dream a reality wasn’t simple. At the time, the organization didn’t own any property, meaning there was little collateral to help secure a loan. Traditional financing just wasn’t within reach.

RDF saw the potential and stepped up early, offering not just capital, but a path forward.

With our support, Esperanza secured affordable financing through New Markets Tax Credits, a federal program that encourages private investment in areas where traditional financing often doesn’t reach.

By 2019, the first phase of the new clinic opened with 30 exam rooms, a pharmacy, and space for social service partners. The response from the community was immediate and overwhelming. Within just a year, every room was in use — proof of how urgent the need really was.

When it came time to grow, RDF was there once again. We provided additional financing to support a second phase, which added 36 more exam rooms, a café, a senior center, a community garden, and even a playground for local families.

“RDF has never just been a lender to us,” said Esperanza’s President and CEO Dan Fulwiler. “They are partners who go the extra mile, and who understand and share our vision.”

Today, Esperanza serves 62,000 patients a year with a team of 100 physicians and nurse practitioners. They’ve launched a family medicine residency program to train future doctors and offer care on a sliding-fee scale so no one is turned away due to cost.

RDF is proud to be a partner in this work, helping Esperanza make sure families in Brighton Park have the care they deserve, right in their own neighborhood.