June 2024 Newsletter

Jun 8, 2025 | Current Events and News | 0 comments

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In This Issue: 

  • Celebrating 30 new homes in Nicaragua
  • Cultural Connections & Impact in the D.R.  
  • Fall Events Calendar
  • Travel Opportunities
  • Kenerling’s Letter
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Inocencio and Maria Rodriguez are our most recent Homes For Good family partners in Nicaragua. Thanks to our generous donors, dedicated staff, community volunteers, and local businesses, another family has a dignified and secure place to live. Thank you for supporting this transformational work! 

 

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2024 has been busy for our Cultural Connections team in the Dominican Republic. Eurel Gonzalez (CC Country Director), Ramon and Eliezer (CC Group Leaders), and Penelope (CC Admin) hosted GA State Respiratory Therapy in March and 3 additional groups in May, totalling 65 volunteers. In May, groups of students and faculty from GA State Occupational Therapy and Kennesaw State Nursing partnered with the Dominican Association of Rehabilitation to visit over 100 patients in Puerto Plata. 
 
These in-home consults not only remind special needs patients and their caregivers that they are not alone, but also produce vital information about their physical, mental, and living conditions. Comunidad Connect uses this information to plan home modifications and coordinate care by local rehab therapists. The ongoing support CC provides to special needs patients and the caregivers is made possible by revenue generated from hosting groups and by generous donors stateside. This work cannot be done alone and we thank everyone for making a difference in the lives of others! 
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The Kennesaw State University Nursing students enjoyed the unique opportunity to visit the community of Aguas Negras. Shown above with members of a local youth group, the KSU students learned first hand the challenges facing local kids and communities like Aguas Negras – particularly when it comes to employment. Jobs in the tourist hub of Puerto Plata often go to those who speak English and have computer skills, so the kids of Aguas Negras are largely overlooked and often begin families as teenagers. 

This Summer in Aguas Negras, we started English classes, built a beach volleyball court (big shout out to Mitzi Kincaid!), contracted with a local volleyball coach and donated a laptop to the youth center. You don’t have to visit to get involved, but it sure is fun! 

Contact jon@comunidadconnect.org to learn more about travel opportunities to the D.R. and Nicaragua.  

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Another group from KSU joined us in May to support a project Comunidad Connect is doing with ex-MLB player Ramon Ramirez. Mr. Ramirez is building a baseball field in his hometown neighborhood in Puerto Plata and the students financed and built bathrooms so more kids can participate. During their visit, the students also met our community partners, visited project sites, and learned about the healthcare system in the D.R. They even did a podcast in the Pancho Mateo community with community leader and podcast personality Marc-Evens “Ribe” Nicoleau (below).

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Exciting events are happening this Fall! Save the dates now for Salsa on the Square and the Together For Health Forum! More details to follow!

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Contact jon@comunidadconnect.org for upcoming trips to the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua. 

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Kenerling (5) recently wrote our team in Nicaragua a letter of thanks. Her family received a home through the Homes For Good program in 2019. This year, Kenerling’s family participated in our pilot project that provides a sustainable sanitation solution for Los Robles, Nicaragua. Her family now has their first indoor bathroom, ever. Kenerling’s letter is translated below. 
 
“Hi Comunidad Connect,
 
My name is Kenerling and I am sending this letter to tell you that I feel grateful for everything you have given me. Thank you very much for helping me.”
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