Sabor de Puerto Rico: BUSSW’s Puerto Rico Travel Course & Service Trip
Hey all! My name is Shawn (he/him/his) and I am a clinical social work student at BUSSW. As a student at the school, there are numerous enriching opportunities for students to practice social work. For example, each year Luz Lopez, a Puerto Rican native, Clinical Professor in Social Work, and Associate Director of the dual degree program in Social Work and Public Health, runs a Puerto Rico travel course and service experience. I had the pleasure to attend this two-week trip during the summer of 2019 and I hope you will take advantage of this exciting opportunity to see how the people of Puerto Rico fuse the macro and clinical realms seamlessly. Let’s talk about some of the awesome experiences I had during this trip!
Corporación del Proyecto ENLACE del Caño Martin Peña
One of the first days of our trip, we met with folks from Proyecto ENLACE del Caño Martin Peña— a corporation created to address public policies and projects that focus on the restoration of the Caño Martin Peña (a canal that runs through the communities in the area). ENLACE works with Grupo de las Ocho Comunidades Aledañas al Caño Martín Peña (G-8), Inc., which is a non-profit organization comprised of twelve grassroots organizations with a goal to secure participation of residents in the decision-making process of the Caño communities. The organizations have done some radical work, including the creation of a land trust between eight communities, in order to prevent big businesses and other persons or entities from gentrifying the land.
On this day’s visit, we began with a bike tour where all the proceeds support the communities in the Caño. The homes were all beautifully painted in vibrant colors and the people we passed by were all so friendly! One of the neighborhoodshad a community garden to help sustain the residents (see picture above). After the tour, we met at a school that the corporation is trying to revitalize (the government shut down many of the schools which has created a strain on families for numerous reasons) and were introduced to the many projects the corporation has their hands in. We then worked as a group and painted the building and the surrounding fence to support their goal of re-opening the school. Lastly, we met with some of the youth who participate in the youth group (LIJAC) that is built to empower them as leaders in their communities. It was awesome to see how this corporation really was working at the micro, meso, and macro levels. And to see all this on the third day we were there, I was already inspired!
El Morro and Comunidad La Perla
We got to see more history as we walked around Old San Juan and visited El Morro— a military fortress turned historical landmark. The fortification was built by the Spanish when they colonized Puerto Rico, and was used up until the mid-twentieth century when it was then named a historical site. It is enormous, with 6 levels facing the Atlantic Ocean! The views were incredible from the top level!
After visiting El Morro, we walked over to Comunidad La Perla, a city that is literally feet underneath and alongside the northern city wall of Old San Juan. You may be familiar with La Perla as it is where many music videos like “Despacito” have been filmed. We were led by one of the community leaders who described the organizing this community has done to ensure their voices are heard by the Puerto Rican government. Due to its awesome location, big businesses are continuously trying to purchase La Perla, which would ultimately cause the relocation of many, if not all, of the residents. Their successful community organizing has led to them to have more participation at the government level and allowed them to continue living in their community. There was once a community center for all people in the area, but unfortunately Hurricane Maria wiped this out. The community is now working to revitalize the area and bring back many of the inhabitants who had to leave for safety and/or survival purposes after the hurricane. Despite these obstacles, the passion and drive these folks we met have for their community makes me hopeful for their prosperity.
Coaí Inc. and Sage
Later in the trip we visited Coaí and Sage – two incredible organizations that focus on the public and mental health needs of LGBTQ+ people in Puerto Rico.
Coaí’s mission is to prevent disease and promote health through a social justice lens, with an emphasis on the queer community. Coaí is also uses very innovative fundraising practices, like fashion shows for trans people and other art forms. Above are pictures of Coaí’s bathroom sign as well as some artwork by participants. Sage focuses predominantly on providing services for older adult folks in Puerto Rico’s LGBTQ+ community. Their services help this often overlooked population in multiple areas including housing and advocacy.
I wish I could tell and show you more about the Puerto Rico travel course and service trip, but you’ll have to see for yourself – when it’s safe to do so. In parting, I will leave you with this mural that I spotted while driving back to the University of Puerto Rico where we resided during the trip – ¡ARRIBA LOS DE ABAJO! UP WITH THOSE WHO ARE UNDERNEATH! Let’s fight for equity!
Photos courtesy of Shawn Parra.