By Jeannette Ruiz | Project Leader
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.
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