Comunidad Connect in the Dominican Republic
Comunidad Connect first explored the Dominican Republic in 2018 with a group of Nursing students and faculty from Kennesaw State University. What started as a new destination for our service learning trips has grown into a long-term partnership with the country, its people, institutions, and incredible natural environment. We partner with the ministry of health, community health promoters, local leaders, and NGO’s to improve health outcomes for marginalized families and communities.
Connections since 2018
Supporting neighbors helping neighbors build bathrooms, potable water systems, and modify homes for increased accessibility
Public Health volunteers with community leaders and residents
Household modifications to improve health, safety, and security for patients and their caregivers
Founding members of the Comunidad Connect team in the Dominican Republic
Physical Therapy outreach and rehabilitation
Occupational Therapy home visits
In 2023, we registered a new Dominican non-profit organization to formalize and reflect our commitment to reach and impact families who need our help the most. We invested in youth sports in Puerto Plata through our partnerships with Club de Deportes Proyecto Miramar and the Caribbean Surf Connection. We also hosted 10 groups of volunteers in 2023 in the mountainous region of Constanza. These 125 students and their faculty worked primarily with special needs patients and their caregivers to build dozens bathrooms, ramps, and walkways while also providing physical and occupational therapy for over 100 families.
Next Steps: Amplify & Deepen
We seek to improve the quality of life for the most vulnerable residents of every community we partner with. Thus, we gravitate towards the young, the old, and the sick and connect them with critical resources like health care, wellness enrichment activities, and housing modifications. Our initiatives improve the well-being of specific individuals and families, while our investments in community assets benefit society at large.
In 2024, we will continue to support youth sports programming in Puerto Plata with investments in coaching, infrastructure, and supplies for the Club de Deportes Proyecto Miramar. We are also a proud sponsor of the Caribbean Surf Connection – a series of five surf tournaments for youth throughout the country. We ensure that young people from marginalized communities have accommodations, transportation, and food for each event.
Comunidad Connect will host 12 groups of volunteers in 2024 with specialties in Nursing, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Respiratory Therapy, Social Work, Public Health, Architecture, and Physical Education. We plan to launch our first ever health promoter training program, which will provide caregivers with personalized resources they need to care for their loved ones with special needs.
Travel to the Dominican Republic
Service Learning Journeys:
Traveling with Comunidad Connect combines eco-tourism with community service, so volunteers have fun while making a difference in the lives of others. Our Service Learning Journeys typically last from one to two weeks and include technical and non-technical volunteer work, recreational excursions and cultural exchange activities. Groups can visit sites in Nicaragua or the Dominican Republic and customize itineraries based on learning objectives, aspirations for community service, or areas of interest.
Community projects vary based on the season and local priorities at the time, but often include home renovation, clean-cook ovens and stoves, concrete floors and water filters. Volunteers can also drive impact on a community level by working with local health promoters, youth groups, churches and clinics to improve community assets such as parks, schools, clinics, and community centers.
Interested in learning more about upcoming trips? Use the contact form below!