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THE GARCES FOUNDATION BECOMES COMUNIDAD GARCES

After 14 years serving Philadelphia’s immigrant families, the organization takes the name given by its own community.

Expands free community health clinics beyond Philadelphia for the first time.

PHILADELPHIA, September 22, 2026 — The Garces Foundation announced today that it will now operate as Comunidad Garces, “Comunidad” meaning community, adopting a name that evolved directly from its patients, students and volunteers. The organization also announced an expansion of its free Community Health Days to a second location in Kennett Square.

Comunidad Garces serves people from 26 countries and territories who speak 12 different languages. The organization provides English classes, free health care, and wraparound support to immigrants across the Philadelphia region, regardless of insurance or immigration status.

“Transitioning to Comunidad Garces is a natural evolution for us as our students and patients have called us their comunidad for years,” said Robin Morris, Executive Director of Comunidad Garces. “Comunidad Garces reflects our mission to open doors to opportunity for our immigrant friends, family, and neighbors — regardless of status and place of origin. Whether you need help learning English, access to health care, or just an ear to listen, you can count on our team at Comunidad Garces to welcome you in.”

The announcement comes during a strong year for individual giving. Comunidad Garces was awarded a $120,000 Commonwealth of Pennsylvania grant to support workplace readiness — the first state award in its history — as well as a $100,000 grant from Penn Medicine to support its Community Health Days and staffing. Individual giving has broadened sharply, with more than 400 people giving last year, up over 40% in two years, pointing to a rising commitment by Philadelphians to support their immigrant friends, family, and neighbors. Since 2019, the organization has raised more than $4.1 million in support of immigrants.

The organization was founded in 2012 by Chef Jose Garces and Dr. Beatriz Garces, following the tragic passing of Felipe, a 26-year-old butcher who died of treatable thyroid cancer after avoiding medical care out of fear of deportation.

“We’ve witnessed and experienced firsthand the challenges of the immigrant journey in the United States, and that’s why we built Comunidad Garces,” said co-founders Dr. Beatriz Garces and Chef Jose Garces. “Felipe was our co-worker and our friend, and his loss affected us deeply. Knowing his death could have been avoided with earlier medical attention led us to this work, so that nobody has to wait that long again. We started connecting people we already knew with health care, and 14 years later, Kennett Square builds on that same promise, in a new place, for more people. Becoming Comunidad Garces is the natural way forward for our organization, as it truly embraces the vision we’ve had since day one.”

Comunidad Garces has also significantly expanded its programs to meet growing demand over the last two years. Enrollment in IDIOMA, the organization’s English as a second language (ESL) program, has doubled since 2020 to more than 700 students a year. The program has grown beyond English instruction to include Spanish-language GED tutoring, launched in 2021, and digital literacy classes added in 2025 that send students home with Chromebooks. A newly added case manager helps students navigate employment, housing, health care and school — a role now filled by a former ESL student who went on to graduate from the GED program before joining the staff.

Community Health Days, which provide free medical and dental care, have increased from quarterly to every other month, and now include mammograms through Penn Medicine’s mobile mammography program alongside colon and prostate cancer screening. Since 2021, these clinics alongside the Sonrisa Dental Program have treated approximately 5,000 patients. On September 19, in partnership with Laurel Dental of West Grove, the organization held its first Community Health Day outside Philadelphia, in Kennett Square.

“Immigrants are part of the foundation of this city’s economy and are central to our city’s success,” said Councilmember Rue Landau. “For 14 years, Comunidad Garces has made sure our immigrant neighbors can stay healthy and build a career here, and that contributes to building a better Philadelphia for everyone.”

“I came in to take an English placement test and had no idea it would change my life,” said Olivia Ponce, Case Manager at Comunidad Garces. “Through their ESL program, I gained the confidence to pursue my GED. Later, a staff volunteer encouraged me to get a check-up at their Community Health Day, where the doctor helped me identify a health risk that required immediate action. Thanks to them, I’m healthy today, and lucky to work alongside friends who are like family.”

The name change takes effect immediately across the organization’s website and materials. Its programs, staff, locations and services remain the same.

“There could not be a more important moment to stand with our immigrant friends and neighbors,” said David Weisberg, Board Chair. “The expansion of Comunidad Garces across the region reflects both the growing need for these services and our belief that people who are new to this country deserve the opportunity to find their footing and build a life here. We have seen what these programs can mean in the lives of people like Olivia. Just as Philadelphia welcomed so many of our ancestors years ago, I hope our city will continue to make clear that today’s immigrants are welcomed, valued, and an essential part of who we are.”

To learn more, visit comunidadgarces.org.

About Comunidad Garces

Comunidad Garces, formerly the Garces Foundation, is a community-based nonprofit founded in 2012 by Chef Jose Garces and Dr. Beatriz Garces. Its mission is to provide immigrants with health care, education, and support to improve their lives and reach their full potential. The organization provides English-language instruction, free Community Health Days and dental care through its Sonrisa program, and wraparound support to immigrants of every background. Learn more at comunidadgarces.org.

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