I
n the mountains of Puerto Rico, where natural beauty contrasts with the challenges of limited access to services, hundreds of older adults live under the silent weight of loneliness. For many, hurricanes, earthquakes, and the pandemic not only left physical and economic scars but also deepened a sense of isolation that still lingers. In response to this reality, Albizu University has launched a remarkable project: Hablando Contigo (“Talking with You”), an initiative that combines science, community services, and solidarity to accompany older adults in their search for well-being.
Albizu University launched the program in December 2024 thanks to a philanthropic grant from the Triple-S Foundation. With a donation of $25,000, Albizu set out to serve 60 people in seven municipalities across Puerto Rico’s central mountain region. The impact exceeded all expectations: 116 older adults participated in the first phase.
For Dr. Migna Rivera García, director of the Counseling Psychology Graduate Program, this achievement reflects the power of community alliances: “The support network, not only from the municipalities but also from the Triple-S Foundation and other nonprofit organizations, extraordinarily strengthens our reach as an academic institution and through our clinics”. In this sense, it is not only about delivering services through a program, but about multiplying capacities and bringing hope.
Hablando Contigo is structured around ten interactive modules that cover topics such as self-awareness, emotional regulation, assertive communication, active aging, and healing through Afro-Caribbean rhythms. In each session, older adults not only receive tools but also lead their own journey toward wellness.
“This project aims to be a voice to address emerging challenges.”
For Dr. Rivera, one of the most transformative workshops was “Building Community Connections through Technology.” In this session, Albizu students taught older adults how to use their smartphones to stay connected with family, friends, and personal interests. Many had little experience using cell phones; during the workshop, they learned how to set up favorites (such as news or sports), download applications, and access social media, including helping those who had never used them before. That simple act of “entering the digital world” opened new doors to companionship, dialogue, and active community participation.
The project has also fostered activities with broad community impact, such as the Health Fair “Healing through Art,” held at the Caguas Botanical Garden in April 2025. Older adults, youth, and children came together to take part in mindfulness sessions, dance therapy, and holistic health workshops. This intergenerational gathering not only strengthened bonds but also reaffirmed that mental health flourishes when nurtured in community. The initiative has expanded rapidly thanks to the support of other municipalities and community organizations. For example, it recently reached the island municipality of Vieques, where, in collaboration with Dementia Friends, the program delivered workshops for students in local schools.
Beyond statistics, Hablando Contigo is about human stories. One such story is that of an older woman in Comerío who lived alone. Albizu students helped her reconnect with gardening, an experience that not only beautified her home but also opened her life once again to social interaction. Stories like these show that the program is not just a service; it is a bridge to new support and companionship networks.
This program reflects a model of intervention that integrates community leaders, municipalities, grassroots organizations, and Albizu University’s community clinics. As Dr. Rivera reflected: “This project aims to be a voice to address emerging challenges, social isolation, and loneliness, and through our community clinics, we can provide the services that older adults in these municipalities need.”
Albizu University invites other organizations, companies, and individuals to join this effort. For more information, interested parties may contact the Graduate Program in Counseling Psychology at Albizu University or Albizu’s Community Clinics in Comerío (787-875-3445, Exts. 1090, 1091 or albizucomerio@albizu.edu) and Caguas (787-653-8833, Ext. 4426 or albizucaguas@albizu.edu).
