Comunidad Connect
We work to alleviate poverty and create sustainable change in Nicaragua and in the Dominican Republic Sports leagues includes basketball and soccer.
Programs:
Together For Health- Year-round continuum of care for 20 special needs patients in rural Nicaragua
Family Impact Projects- Include clean-cook ovens & stoves, concrete floors, roof repairs, secure bathing areas, insect repellent paint, and complete home renovations. Families are selected by local community leaders and Comunidad Connect staff based on level of need and urgency of livin
Comunidad Connect recently hosted a celebration in Los Robles, Nicaragua in honor of building our 30th home. In attendance were Homes For Good family partners, staff, special guests, and community members. Each family received a gift as a token of their partnership and several awards were presented. Likewise, certificates were given to Mr. Guadalupe Gadea (mason) and Aura Lila González (brigadista) for their dedication to the homes project. Complete with cultural dances, smiles, tears, and reunion, it was a very emotional day for all involved. We thank you for supporting the Homes for Good program and for making this incredible milestone possible.
Homes For Good: Maria and Inocencio Rodriguez - Part 3
https://comunidadconnect.org/2024/07/07/homes-for-good-maria-mercedes-siles-rodriguez
Maria and Inocencio received keys to their new home surrounded by family, neighbors, and local volunteers. On behalf of our team in Nicaragua, thank you for making this project possible. Each new home built is a direct result of your generosity. Thank you so much for making a difference.
Homes For Good: Maria and Inocencio Rodriguez - Part 2
Building a home is a collective effort requiring many hands, passionate people and a dedicated workforce. https://comunidadconnect.org/2024/07/07/homes-for-good-maria-mercedes-siles-rodriguez
Maria and Inocencio 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! Read their story and watch a 3 part video series here: https://comunidadconnect.org/2024/07/07/homes-for-good-maria-mercedes-siles-rodriguez/
17/07/2024
Mark your calendars! Salsa on the Square is the biggest dance party and LatinX Festival of the year, and is back again September 21, 2024. We take over downtown Decatur with live music, dance presentations, tons of authentic LatinX vendors of food, arts, and crafts. Over 4,000 people came out last year, so come out early and spend the day enjoying the flavorful culture of Latin America. We will have hospitality tents available for our Comunidad Connect Family, so come reconnect on Sept 21! Save the date now: https://www.addevent.com/event/lv22112847
Inocencio and Maria 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. Stay tuned as we tell their story. Thank you again for your support!
"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."
𝘒𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘭𝘺 𝘸𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘦 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘮 𝘪𝘯 𝘕𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘶𝘢 𝘢 𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬𝘴. H𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘢 𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘏𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘍𝘰𝘳 𝘎𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘮 𝘪𝘯 2019 𝘪𝘯 𝘢𝘥𝘥𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘶𝘴 𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘣𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘰𝘮 𝘱𝘪𝘭𝘰𝘵 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘫𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳.
07/06/2024
Jesús Chavarría (6) was born with a cleft palate, an underlying genetic disorder, and severe cognitive challenges. He joined the Together for Health Program in February 2019, receiving support from Comunidad Connect staff in Nicaragua and donors through medications, transportation to specialists, and ongoing care. Many years later, Jesus, cared for by his devoted parents, continues to defy all odds and is a testament to resilience. We thank you for supporting Jesús and other the patients of Together for Health.
To join our community of monthly caregivers, visit: https://comunidadconnect.org/caregivers/
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Jesús Chavarría (6) nació con paladar hendido, un trastorno genético subyacente y graves desafíos cognitivos. Se unió al Programa Juntos Por la Salud en febrero de 2019, recibiendo apoyo del personal de Comunidad Connect y de donantes en forma de medicamentos, transporte a especialistas y atención continua. Muchos años después, Jesús, cuidado por sus devotos padres, continúa desafiando todos los pronósticos y es un testimonio de resiliencia. Gracias por apoyar a Jesús y a los otros pacientes de Juntos Por la Salud.
03/06/2024
Shout out to Kennesaw State University Health Education group for joining our Cultural Connections team in the Dominican Republic for an awesome service-learning journey. Throughout the week, the group connected with many families in the Puerto Plata region, helped build a bathroom at a local baseball field, and even did a podcast in the Pancho Mateo community! Thank you for your visit and your positive disposition to get involved and make a difference.
03/06/2024
A big thank you to students and professors from the Kennesaw State University Nursing program for joining our Cultural Connections team in the Dominican Republic. The group connected with local families in the Puerto Plata region through home health assessments, interviews, and subsequent follow-up plans. In addition, they helped complete a painting job at Puerto Plata School for the Deaf, collaborated with the Universidad Católica Santo Domingo, and completed another painting project for a family of a local deaf girl. On behalf of the Comunidad Connect team and our community partners, we are grateful for your visit, engagement, and continued connection.
03/06/2024
In May, students and professors from Georgia State University's Occupational Therapy Program joined our Cultural Connections team in the Dominican Republic. The students partnered with the Asociacion Dominicana de Rehabilitacion Filial de Puerto Plata to visit over 100 patients in the Puerto Plata region. Working to help patients regain independence in all areas of their lives, occupational therapists serve people with physical, sensory, or cognitive challenges. Comunidad Connect is honored to facilitate partnerships and impact like this to increase accessibility and mobility for residents of all ages. Special thanks to the Universidad Católica Santo Domingo as well for their partnership and commitment to the advancement of public health in the Dominican Republic.
15/05/2024
Comunidad Connect recently sponsored a Surfers for Autism event in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. Surfers For Autism is a Florida-based non-profit that provides free surf sessions for children and adults with autism and other related developmental delays and disabilities. Studies that show the experience of being in the ocean can be very calming and soothing for those living with autism, as their regular daily routine can sometimes leave them feeling overwhelmed and overstimulated. The recent event in Puerto Plata was the first of its kind on the North Coast. Over 50 kids participated with their families and volunteers alike enjoying a full day of smiles, laughter, art, games and surfing lessons. Comunidad Connect is proud to partner with such an incredible organization and we look forward to supporting events like this in the future.
“She is a woman of few words, but in her skin and her character, you can read a life story" -Director of Community Development, Yarisleidy Cortez, in speaking about Aura Garcia Hernandez.
Thanks to generosity from donors like you, Aura, her son, her daughter-in-law, and her granddaughter now have a safe and secure place to live. At 88 years old and a lifetime of working, Aura's dream came dream true. Thank you for making this possible!
Read her full story: https://comunidadconnect.org/2024/04/26/homes-for-good-aura-garcia-hernandez/
Aura Garcia Hernandez is an 88-year-old widow who lives in Los Robles, Nicaragua in a remote area that is difficult to access during the rainy season. She was one of the many volunteers who worked on the construction of the community health post many years ago. Aura and her daughters are known throughout Los Robles as strong women who support every social project in the community. In the spring of 2024, generous Comunidad Connect donors financed a new home for Aura, her son, her daughter-in-law, and her granddaughter. See here to read the full story: https://comunidadconnect.org/2024/04/26/homes-for-good-aura-garcia-hernandez/
To all the workers making a difference, Happy International Workers' Day!
17/04/2024
Happy Birthday to Director of Community Development, Yarisleidy Cortez!
Read her letter of gratitude to our community of support: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/fundraising/69a4dab3-e740-4a69-87a5-617f187f5637
14/04/2024
"Hello, I'm Yarisleidy Cortez, Director of Community Development. I usually prefer not to draw attention to my birthday, but I’m turning 33 this year and I think that’s quite the accomplishment. I am alive, healthy, and anxious for all the new adventures around the corner. This year, I ask that instead of gifts, my loved ones support the Homes For Good program that currently builds homes for rural families in Los Robles, Jinotega Nicaragua, and hopefully many more communities in the future! I helped start this wonderful project 5 years ago, allowing me to support hundreds of people. This project has been my professional teacher and most importantly my therapy. Later this year I will say “see you later” to the non-profit that saw me grow and evolve, but not before leaving Homes For Good and another new pilot project (stay tuned!) in the best hands for successful growth. They say that “the best beaches are formed one grain at a time” and I will be grateful for any of your generosity.
With gratitude, Yarisleidy."
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"Hola, soy Yarisleidy. Es la primera vez que hago esta dinámica de cumpleaños -16 de abril-, por lo general prefiero pasar desapercibida pero realmente cumplir 33 años ha sido el reto de mi vida y aquí estoy, Feliz y ansiosa por todos los cambios y nuevas aventuras que se avecinan.
Como todo reto de la vida, este año he decidido poner sobre mis necesidades personales una mesa de regalo destinada para Homes For Good de Comunidad Connect, un proyecto de viviendas para las familias campesinas de la comunidad indigena de Los Robles, Jinotega, Nicaragua y por qué no de muchas comunidades más en el futuro? Fundé este maravilloso proyecto hace 5 años, un proyecto que me ha dado la oportunidad de ayudar a cientos de personas, un proyecto que ha sido mi maestro profesional y más importante mi psicoterapeuta. Este año le diré “Hasta luego” a la ONG que me vió evolucionar, no sin antes dejar en las mejores manos el crecimiento exitoso de mi “Homes For Good” y otro añadido que dejaré en gestación (así que atentos siempre).
Dicen que “de grano en grano se forman las mejores playas” estaré agradecida con cualquier muestra de cariño de su parte.
Con agradecimiento, Yarisleidy."
Celebrate Yarisleidy's Birthday by Supporting Homes For Good Hello, I'm Yarisleidy Cortez, Director of Community Development. I usually prefer not to draw attention to my birthday, but I’m turning 33 this year and I think that’s quite the accomplishment. I am alive, healthy, and anxious for all the new adventures around the corner. This year, I ask that i...
Throwback Thursday to just a couple of weeks ago when a group of Georiga State Respiratory Therapy students and professors joined us in the Dominican Republic for an unforgettable service-learning journey. They visited residents from the assisted living facility, met with and surveyed residents of Caraballo, a Haitian settlement in the Montellano municipality, and painted and put roofs on 14 bathrooms! In addition, they ended the week with a conference about Respiratory Therapy at the Universidad Catolica Santo Domingo.
On behalf of the Comunidad Connect team, thank you, Georiga State Respiratory Therapy for your meaningful visit, hard work, and continued engagement!
If you are interested in learning more about the Cultural Connections program, please visit our website: https://comunidadconnect.org/cultural-connections/
(Photos courtesy of GSU Respiratory Therapy March 2024)
Georgia State University
At the young age of 72, our community mason, Don Guadalupe Gadea Altamirano, has decided to retire. Over the last few years, he has led the construction of over 30 homes and words cannot describe how grateful we are to him. Supported by donors and his fellow community members, Guadalupe has helped change the lives of hundreds of his neighbors. "There are people living in extreme poverty. I am poor, but there are others much poorer than me and they need our support. God gave me these skills so I can work for this cause", said Guadalupe. Even though he retired as lead mason, you will still find him volunteering on home builds. "He can't stay still", laughed Director of Community Development, Yarisleidy Cortez.
On behalf of the Comunidad Connect team, donors, and community partners, thank you, Guadalupe, for the memories, the lessons, and your hard work.
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A la joven edad de 72 años, nuestro albañil comunitario, Don Guadalupe Gadea Altamirano, ha decidido jubilarse. En los últimos años, ha liderado la construcción de más de 30 viviendas y no hay palabras para describir lo agradecidos que le estamos. Con el apoyo de donantes y compañeros de su comunidad, Guadalupe ha ayudado a cambiar las vidas de cientos de sus vecinos. "Hay personas que viven en extrema pobreza. Yo soy pobre, pero hay otros mucho más pobres que yo y necesitan nuestro apoyo. Dios me dio estas habilidades para poder trabajar por esta causa", dijo Guadalupe. Aunque se jubiló como albañil, todavía lo encontrará trabajando como voluntario en la construcción de viviendas. “No puede quedarse quieto”, se rió la directora de Comunidad Desarrollo, Yarisleidy Cortez.
En nombre del equipo de Comunidad Connect, los donantes y los socios comunitarios, gracias Guadalupe por los recuerdos, las lecciones y tu arduo trabajo.
25/03/2024
María Mercedes is the wife of a Together For Health patient, Inocencio Altamirano. She has been his primary caregiver for many years. Maria has now joined her husband in the program as a patient because she is suffering from chronic illnesses and needs treatment.
The Together for Health program provides medications, transportation, and home visits year-round for patients with special needs in Nicaragua. Thank you for supporting patients like Maria and Inocencio! To join our community of monthly caregivers, visit: https://comunidadconnect.org/caregivers/
19/03/2024
On a recent service learning journey to the Dominican Republic, Georiga State University Respiratory Therapy students participated in a conference at La Universidad Catolica Santo Domingo with the OT, PT, Nursing, and Speech Therapy students and faculty. 70-80 attendees filled every seat, with standing room only. There are no RT programs in the Dominican Republic currently, but there is interest in working with Comunidad Connect and Georgia State University to get something started.
It was Comunidad Connect's first formal exchange with the university; the first of many! Their students and faculty will join our groups during fieldwork in Puerto Plata and we hope to collaborate with them in Santo Domingo as well. Together we are connecting communities that care!
Georgia State University Universidad Católica Santo Domingo
14/03/2024
Exciting things are happening in Los Robles, Nicaragua thanks to your generous support. Stay tuned to learn about our most recent Homes For Good story!
Your collaboration helps Comunidad Connect provide resources and services to those who cannot access them on their own. For example, last week we visited several patients from the Together for Health Program with staff from a laboratory in Jinotega to collect blood samples. These tests are taken routinely and are part of Together For Health's continuum of care.
15/01/2024
On behalf of all of us at Comunidad Connect, thank you for leading always with love and kindness. Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day!
The doors of opportunity to make a difference are opening all the time. Whether abroad, in your state, or in your neighborhood, thank you for helping others and connecting communities that care. In 2024, our shared belief of going further when we work together still rings true. Cheers to the impactful and inspiring year ahead!
02/01/2024
“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.” —Albert Einstein
Happy New Year from the Comunidad Connect team! Cheers to new construction, expanded impact, and a renewed conviction in our collective mission. Thank you for joining us and making our work possible!
Café Social is an expansion of a successful project in Nicaragua, founded by our good friend Tio Antonio. His story has inspired thousands over the years, including Comunidad Connect, and we are proud to partner with Tio Antonio in 2024 as we further our impact in the Dominican Republic. To learn more about the Café Social project and to make a donation to this initiative, visit: https://comunidadconnect.org/together-for-wellness-2023/
27/12/2023
On behalf of our team, Board of Directors, and community partners, thank you for your connection and for all you do to help others. We are grateful and honored for your partnership. Blessings, peace, and love from Comunidad Connect.
Our Story
Comunidad Connect was founded in 2007 by Jon Thompson and Roman Yavich in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua. Jon was directing a local education foundation and Roman was conducting research on the impact of tourism development on a Fulbright grant. Their shared interest in responsible community and economic development in Nicaragua led to the formation of Comunidad Connect, a social enterprise that combines sustainable tourism with grass roots development work.
Comunidad Connect began by listening to local residents and leaders, public institutions and the private sector to identify development priorities. Working on a shoestring budget, with small grants, volunteers, and a few key donors, Comunidad Connect restored a neglected community space into a bustling multi-use recreational facility coined the San Juan del Sur Sports Park and launched the town’s first municipal recycling program.
Sociedad Civil Comunidad Connect was registered in 2012 as Comunidad Connect’s sister organization in Nicaragua. This alliance formalized the Cultural Connections program which facilitates service learning trips in Latin America. Revenue from this sustainable tourism program funds ongoing programs and organizations in Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic dedicated to improving community health, empowering youth through education and sports, and supporting sustainable community development.
The story of Comunidad Connect is not singular. It is collection of people, places and experiences; a shared narrative grounded in the belief that everyone wants to make a difference in the world.
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