Disaster Response Puerto Rico Project #46152

Support Puerto Rico's Emotional Coping of COVID19

by Casa sin Fronteras Inc.

Support Puerto Rico's Emotional Coping of COVID19

Project Report | Nov 27, 2020
Carrying on in difficult times

By Jeannette Ruiz | Project Leader

In the midst of COVID-19 pandemic, lockdown, and social distancing it is very difficult for people to meet and work together. However, digital platforms have become an asset to continue our services. The Counseling and Dance Movement Therapy Program (CODAMO) started a new therapy group on September that have been meeting regularly through ZOOM platform. They will continue to do so until December. During this period, we have also been meeting a group of 20 families from an elementary school in Humacao, a town on the East part of Puerto Rico. The children and their parents meet weekly with the DMT therapist and the Counselor via ZOOM. It has been a wonderful experience that has open other possibilities for our program. We will start working with another elementary school in the small town of Maunabo, in the South-East coast.

We have virtual meetings open to all families with different activities conducted by our team of therapists: Art Therapy, Music Therapy and Dance Movement Therapy. All these activities are posted on our social media every week and participation is open for everyone.

At the same time, the Program Mejor Vida (Better Live) has continued offering psychological and counseling services via telephone and ZOOM. Last week we were able to prepare our offices to receive participants in person, following all the safety guidelines regarding COVID-19. This is a huge progress, since most people prefer to meet face-to-face for psychological treatment. We will keep meeting by phone or ZOOM with those who cannot come to our facilities.

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Jul 30, 2020
Casa sin Fronteras' Response to the Pandemic

By Jeannette Ruiz | Project Leader

Music Therapy Workshop

On March 15, 2020, Puerto Rico’s Governor declared a national lockdown in response to the Covid-19 Pandemic. As a result, all meetings and services had to be postponed until further notice. Three days after that announcement, our team of therapists started generating content for social media to help people cope with the anxiety of lockdown. Every day they posted a new talk, workshop, counseling advice to attend the emotional needs of our population. Soon after, the Artistic Creative Therapies Group worked with us offering workshops in the ZOOM Platform, of music therapy, art therapy, dance-movement therapy and psychodrama. Together, they hosted more than 30 workshops during these past months. Our psychologist started attending patients through phone consultation. This has allowed for continuation of therapy, during uncertain times. The counselor, the psychologist, the recreational therapist, and other professionals have collaborated with Casa sin Fronteras posting videos with activities and advice for all members of the families during the lockdown. So far, we have made more than 45 Facebook Lives, more than 30 videos, and more than 15 information graphics regarding prevention and health advice to the community. Digital media has allowed us to have participants from all over Puerto Rico, and from other countries, such as United States, Mexico, and Peru. It is very exciting to be able to expand our reach to communities so far away.

One of the consequences of the pandemic lockdown is the negative impact on the economy. As a response, we contacted the entrepreneurs who participate in Casa sin Fronteras’ Microbusiness Incubator to see how we could help them. So far, we have been able to post almost 30 videos of local microbusinesses so that they can freely promote their services and products. This has been a wonderful initiative that joins two sister projects of Casa sin Fronteras.

Another accomplishment for Casa sin Fronteras is the partnership we have been able to make with another nonprofit, Centro para Puerto Rico. Our Counselor and Dance-Movement Therapist have been participating in several workshops that Centro para Puerto Rico have been doing in their social media. This collaboration has allowed us to impact a wider audience. We are very grateful for this opportunity.

Adapting for pandemic times, the CODAMO team started for the first time a new virtual cycle of therapy. Using a digital platform, participants get together with the team to work on the Dance-Movement Therapy group sessions and, also, for their individual consultations with the Counselor. It has been a novel and wonderful experience for everybody. They are already planning a new cycle for September. Casa sin Fronteras is looking forward for the coming semester with excitement and energy to continue to serve and help improve the lives of our people.

Links:

Casa sin Fronteras Facebook Page

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