Project Report
| Jan 10, 2024
Qtly Report - La Fondita de Jesus in the Community
By Geraldine Bayron-Rivera, Ph.D. | Development & Programs Planning Director
Our mobile clinic serving the community
Distinguished Donors:
Greetings on behalf of Corporación La Fondita de Jesús' family. This document reports our achievements and challenges while providing services to vulnerable communities through the "La Fondita de Jesús en la Comunidad" (La Fondita de Jesus in the Community) program from October through December 2023.
During this quarter, our project delivered 7,436 service units to 1,242 unique individuals and families in 109 communities, from which 41 (38%) were impacted for the first time by our project. In other words, there is an average of 6 units of services per participant. These communities are located at the following 18 municipalities (23%) of Puerto Rico (representing north, west, east, and center of the island): San Juan (862), Guaynabo (27), Caguas (2), Carolina (70), Maricao (25), Humacao (14), Arecibo (1), Cataño (8), Trujillo Alto (10), Bayamón (19), Cayey (1), Juncos (1), Toa Baja (168), Loíza (1), Barranquitas (1), Utuado (30), Quebradillas (1), and Canóvanas (1).
Trying to keep you as informed as possible regarding the demographic descriptions of the people we provided services to during this period, the distribution per gender was as follows:
- Females = 61%
- Males = 38%
- Trans = 1%
72% of the population served (n=891) were older adults (ages 60+), 2% (n=33) were children (ages 0-17), and 1% (n=17) were young adults (ages 18-24), all from vulnerable communities. We always point out that these individuals, families, and communities are at imminent risk of losing their homes, given their needs, life circumstances, and social determinants of health.
Workshops were developed and provided regarding the following themes:
- LGBTQIA+ community civil rights
- Community integration
- Teamwork
- Defending your civil rights
- Basic handling and use of the cell phone for older adults
- Management and sensibility for the homeless population
- Communication and social networks
- Healthy relationships
Some of our most significant achievements during this period were as follows:
- During this period, we had the opportunity to impact 41 new communities.
- During this period, the individual and community needs of people in vulnerable communities, particularly older adults, have been identified and attended to, and support has been provided in the payment of arrears of rent and utilities, as well as basic necessities, search for documents, referring to essential services, among other pressing needs. This has facilitated access to services for people in marginalized communities.
- During this period, we continued to offer workshops to older adults on using technology to reduce isolation and loneliness. These workshops allowed us to reaffirm the need for older adults to expand their knowledge about the primary use of electronic devices, specifically cell phones, as well as the search for online services and the use of social networks to promote their social integration. These workshops are taught in simple language and using the participants' technological equipment so they can replicate it in their homes. We have managed to increase this population's knowledge of using cell phones and provide a space where people feel accompanied and not judged. This has allowed us to generate confidence in the participants and promote a safe space that encourages the integration of all people, making it easier for them to continue attending the following workshops and integrate into the strategies we have identified to reduce isolation and loneliness.
- We continue to educate and prepare the population in the event of an emergency (e.g., hurricanes, tropical storms, earthquakes, or floods) by providing emergency backpacks to various families, particularly older adults who do not have the financial resources to purchase such necessary items to face situations like these.
- We started a project aimed at children from vulnerable communities that seeks to strengthen reading and writing skills through creative strategies that stimulate learning. Through these workshops, children acquire skills of peaceful coexistence through a model that promotes the values of peace and conflict resolution. Simultaneously, we work at the community level, integrating the school community, parents, and critical people in their environment to achieve sustainable changes.
Challenges:
- We continue to face the problem of gentrification and displacement since it puts the permanence and quality of life of residents in the community at risk. At the same time, the risk of marginalized and vulnerable populations experiencing the phenomenon of homelessness increases, which implies a more significant demand for services and the deterioration of people in their individual and collective character.
- We have identified that one of the significant challenges in serving the elderly population living in vulnerable communities is the slow response of government agencies. This is particularly true when addressing insecure and unstable community housing situations is necessary. Unfortunately, we increasingly find older adults alone in their homes, needing to be moved from their spaces; however, housing projects are costly, and agencies do not guarantee that they can provide the support people require.
- Another challenge we face is food insecurity. During these last few months, community leaders have received many calls and requests to provide groceries since many individuals/families do not have sufficient resources to cover all their basic needs.
- Finally, we continue to face challenges with the migration of essential services to the digital world since not all people have the skills to use and manage a computer or cell phone, which makes it difficult to access the internet and essential services such as coordination of appointments, document management, among others. On the other hand, not all people have electronic devices, creating inequality and inaccessibility to essential services.
We are incredibly grateful to all of you, our social investors, who believe in our work and commitment and continue to allow us to consistently impact the lives of so many people! Should you need additional information or have any questions regarding this report, please do not hesitate to contact us through the GlobalGiving Foundation. Thank you!
Our doctor and nurse providing community services
Our health and wellness promoter in the community
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