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Celebrating April!
our Monthly Bulletin
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Jovenes Unidas Field Trip to UNC
Our school-based therapist Reyna reflects on her time two weeks ago with the group of girls she has worked with over the last year.
The day we spent together as Jovenes Unidas was absolutely incredible for everyone! The girls walked off the school bus at 9:00 am sharp in front of the School of Social Work and were both excited and nervous for the day's events. We spent the first part of the morning with Mimi reflecting upon photographs that had captured pertinent images of culture and gender; then we headed over to the Ackland Museum where Rob awaited us to have the girls reflect upon some live images. It was for most of the girls their first time on a college campus and their first time at an art museum!
 Afterwards, we walked over to the UNC-Cafeteria by the Pit, as escorted by our UNC comrades (including our board member and 1st year UNC student Leslie Morales). Thanks to Josmell Perez who sponsored the girls for lunch, we were so excited to be at the hub of UNC life. UNC students were having so much fun with us too, that I hate to say it but they didn't make it to class that afternoon! Way too soon, our wonderful day came to an end and we said our goodbyes at the Smith Center. Tired but motivated and excited about new possibilities, it truly was a special day for these students - and a true reflection of our El Futuro community!!
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New Book Resource Library
Books or "Bibliotherapy" are an increasingly useful tool in psychiatry and therapy treatment. Unfortunately, the majority of Spanish language therapy books are not available at the library, are expensive to buy, or are difficult to locate. To extend our impact and help more people we built our very own resource library filled with educational books in Spanish to share with those who need help either while they are waiting for an appointment, while they are in treatment, or in lieu of treatment. So far we only have one copy of each book and it is only in one clinic but we hope to expand soon to all of our clinics and buy more books so we can lend them out. A special thanks to volunteers Jennie Dubosky, James Scott Wing and Yolonda Williamson for pulling this together! Click here to check out our current list and please let us know if you would like to add to it, we are hoping to expand it! |
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¡Celebrations!
- Luke celebrates Jose Ribas (4th year psychiatry resident from Duke) who gave an amazing talk at Duke recently about his work in helping us develop the Mente Sana program: Mente Sana: Adaptation of DBT Skills Training for Latinos.
- Roberto celebrates a young female patient who has been getting better. It has been slow journey but it is great to see her making progress and overcoming her fears and the anxiety that used to paralyze her in the classroom.
- Sarah celebrates a man who was having a hard time trusting and accepting help. Recently there has been an amazing break through and a new trust during their sessions together.
- Luke celebrates work with Christina to help a young teenage girl. Several weeks ago we first met her when she was referred by a nearby primary care doctor for help because of her depression and the discovery of a recent suicide attempt. She had no smile, no energy. The depression was palpable when you were in the room with her. She didn't have insurance and so was referred to El Futuro. Christina has seen her and her family several times for individual and family therapy. I started her on an antidepressant medication. Last week, she smiled and reported feeling "a little better". Her parents are hopeful and so are we.
- Karla celebrates a young boy who first came to us in January with another episode of panic and anxiety. His mother looked frantic because her once eager and friendly son was refusing to go to elementary school and no longer wanted to play with friends. In therapy with Karla, he's learned ways to cope with anxiety. He also takes a small dose of anti-anxiety medication. Last week he quipped, "Storms no longer bother me" and told me of ways he is making friends. He played in his first soccer game last week with Rainbow Soccer and can't wait to show Karla his jersey! But today was special because he and his mom proudly presented us with a dozen eggs from their chickens at home. They pay $10 for appointments and are very thankful for the help from El Futuro.
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