By Geraldine Bayron-Rivera, PhD | Executive Director
Dear Donors:
Please accept our best wishes on behalf of La Fondita de Jesús' family! With great respect, we report our achievements in providing services to prevent homelessness among older adults in Puerto Rico from July to October 2026.
During this quarter, we visited 33 vulnerable communities across 9 Puerto Rican municipalities: Canóvanas, Carolina, Guayama, Guaynabo, Loíza, San Juan, Toa Baja, Utuado, and Vieques. Nevertheless, our organization already has a presence in at least 37 municipalities in Puerto Rico (47% of the island's total municipalities).
A total of 815 older adults were impacted during this period. Of those, 471 were women (58%), and 344 were men (42%). These people received 9,019 units of service. These individuals are 60 years or older, and one of the primary challenges identified in the communities impacted continues to be the poverty and economic instability faced by many participating older adults. This reality limits their ability to meet basic needs, such as food, housing, transportation, and access to medication, which in turn affects the continuity of medical treatments. In many cases, daily survival takes priority, leading older adults to postpone addressing other aspects of their well-being, underscoring the need to strengthen comprehensive support strategies, provide companionship, and connect them with resources that promote greater stability and quality of life.
Likewise, many in this population face abandonment by family and friends, so they need more substantial support with hygiene and meal preparation. They also need people to talk to about their situations. As a result, we have identified isolation and loneliness among older adults, who often lack a support network that helps them stay connected.
The high prevalence of chronic diseases and mental health conditions persists among older adults in vulnerable communities. These situations not only affect people's health and well-being but can also limit their ability to access, participate in, and maintain continuity of health services. In many cases, individuals face multiple vulnerabilities simultaneously, including untreated medical conditions and symptoms associated with depression, anxiety, or trauma. This combination of factors can affect treatment adherence, appointment attendance, and participation in scheduled activities. Given this scenario, continuing to educate communities through outreach activities is even more critical.
Other needs were identified among these individuals. Most of them lack the knowledge and skills to access digital platforms for social services, including housing subsidies, public housing, leasing, and healthcare. They are at high risk of losing their homes due to social determinants that affect their health and safety. Our staff facilitates capacity-building activities that help older adults learn to use electronic devices and the Internet. They also help access and coordinate appointments for housing and health services. We found that many older adults living in impoverished communities did not have viable access to public transportation to get to their doctors' appointments or the required knowledge to make their own health services appointments, resulting in some not receiving necessary medical follow-ups.
During the reporting period, mental health services addressing various issues were promoted. Support for men's mental health and suicide prevention was encouraged, alongside the promotion of both internal and external organizational resources. Additionally, Clinical Psychology doctoral students supported workshop development, as well as guidance and promotional materials. The team strengthened links to health services addressing participants' medical needs through consistent follow-up, including referrals, prescriptions, phone calls, service coordination, and general support. Distributing over-the-counter (OTC) medications to participants and community members expanded preventive support for individuals with limited access to medical services or without health insurance.
A key achievement of the period was strengthening community outreach initiatives and expanding services in vulnerable communities across various regions of Puerto Rico. These efforts bolstered emergency response capabilities for older adults by providing educational materials and guidance on emergency plans, emergency kits, and heatwaves. These actions improved community preparedness to respond promptly to risk situations, helping reduce complications and safeguard lives within vulnerable populations. We expanded preventive health service offerings through service fairs that used a mobile health unit across different regions of Puerto Rico. These activities improved access to early detection services and personalized guidance on healthy lifestyles, nutrition, and chronic condition management, strengthening social support networks and the overall well-being of the older adults served.
We held health fairs in collaboration with other organizations through established alliances, expanding the scope of our health services and benefiting more older adults living in extreme poverty. We provided hot meals and emergency groceries. We also distributed dental hygiene kits, personal hygiene kits, home cleaning kits, over-the-counter medicine kits, naloxone, anti-stress balls, and clothing, among other essential necessities.
They have been receptive to participating in capacity-building activities through workshops, orientations, community conversations, education, and discussion tables. These settings allow them to exchange ideas and express their emotions, fostering healthy management of their daily lives. This approach enables them to contribute effectively and positively to many community projects.
Workshops and educational materials were provided on the following topics:
During this period, case management and community social work services were also provided through home visits, telephone calls with participants and community leaders, initial interviews, follow-ups, case discussions, appointment coordination, service coordination, document management, transportation services, and service referrals.
We reiterate our gratitude to you, our social investors, for believing in our mission and helping us continue impacting the lives of those who need it most. With your support, we can achieve this and more.
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