Meet one of our community partners, Feliz Filadelfia! Formerly known as Born to PLAY, Feliz Filadelfia has been working with young athletes in Hunting Park and the surrounding Philadelphia area for more than 20 years. Esperanza Academy has partnered with Feliz Filadelfia for 5+ years to provide soccer programming for students in grades 3-5, as well as a 4-week summer baseball and soccer camp for grades 6-9. Through this program, students learn the fundamentals of the sports while also developing personal skills like discipline, leadership, and sportsmanship. We asked José Rivera, the program’s Founder and Executive Director, to share his story and experience serving our community.
What does your role entail and how long have you been in your current role?
I am the Founder and Executive Director of Feliz Filadelfia. I have been coaching and working with youth in our community for over 20 years. About nine years ago, our organization began as Born To PLAY and eventually grew into what is now Feliz Filadelfia. In my current role, I oversee our day-to-day operations, youth sports programs, community partnerships, fundraising, staff and volunteers, while continuing to work directly with our youth and families.
How does your organization support Esperanza Academy and the Hunting Park community?
Feliz Filadelfia supports Esperanza Academy by providing soccer programming for their students, as well as baseball and soccer summer camps. We also serve youth and families throughout the Hunting Park community by providing year-round sports programs, mentorship, and positive activities that keep young people active, engaged, and connected to their community. Our goal is to create safe and positive opportunities for youth through sports while building strong relationships with families, schools, and community partners.
I was born and raised in the Hunting Park area, right around the corner from where Esperanza Academy stands today, before Esperanza even existed. Hunting Park has always been home to me. I have been coaching and serving young people in this community for over 20 years, and I am also a former Esperanza Academy employee, where I served as a security supervisor at the Middle School. Through Feliz Filadelfia, we continue to serve youth and families through baseball, soccer, flag football, summer camps, mentorship, and other positive opportunities. Hunting Park is more than an area we serve—it is the community that raised me and continues to be a major part of my life.
What shared goals and values drive your partnership with Esperanza Academy?
Feliz Filadelfia and Esperanza Academy share a commitment to giving young people opportunities to succeed both on and off the field. We believe in providing a safe and positive environment where youth can stay active, build confidence, learn teamwork and discipline, and develop strong relationships with positive role models. Most importantly, we both believe in investing in our youth and strengthening the community we serve.
What has been your favorite part of working with our students and school community?
My favorite part has been building relationships with the students and watching them grow. For me, it has never been just about baseball, soccer, or flag football. It’s about being a positive presence in their lives, building their confidence, and giving them opportunities to be part of something positive. Having grown up in Hunting Park myself and having worked at Esperanza, being able to come back and serve young people from the same community that raised me makes it even more meaningful.
What do you hope students take away from their experience with your organization?
I hope our students learn that sports are bigger than wins and losses. I want them to take away discipline, confidence, teamwork, respect, and the understanding that hard work can create opportunities. Most importantly, I want every young person who comes through Feliz Filadelfia to know that people in their community believe in them and that they are capable of accomplishing great things both on and off the field.