Helping Globally
HFC makes an impact around the world
We understand the necessity to help beyond our community, and that is why Hispanic Family Counseling has traveled internationally to offer relief to those in need. The HFC team has brought donations, supplies, therapy, and crisis intervention to those who have suffered from natural disasters, social injustice, and more.
El Salvador | June 2023
Our Founder & CEO, Denisse Centeno-Lamas, had the opportunity to visit the “Ana Dolores Arias” School Center in Suchitoto, a municipality in the department of Cuscatlán, El Salvador.
We appreciate the kindness of receiving us, your hospitality of allowing us to participate in your curriculum by sharing with the student community and teaching staff from whom we have a rewarding experience.
Puerto Rico | January 2020
At The beginning of 2019, a series of more than 43 earthquakes classified as “significant” struck the island of Puerto Rico. It sent the population of southwest Puerto Rico rushing into the streets, thousands of people are still slumbering each night under camping tents, on cots, in their cars, and in enormous open tents that serve as government shelters. Schools were relocated to public parks and municipality facilities.
A group of counselors, therapist, psychologist, social workers traveled to Puerto Rico to provided crisis intervention, mental health relief and donations.
Colombia | October 2019
On October of 2019, the Hispanic Family Counseling administrative team had the opportunity to travel to Cartagena, Colombia. There, the team had the privilege to meet the students, families and teachers at the Centro de Desarrollo Infantil Nuevo Israel in Cartagena.
The HFC team brought donations of school supplies to give to the families and students, and had the extreme pleasure of having them welcome the team with warmth and open arms. HFC enjoyed the time in Cartagena, and is so glad to have gotten to know the local people, sights and culture of Colombia.
Perú | May 2019
On May 2019, Hispanic Family Counseling went on a Multidisciplinary trip with medical and physical therapy students from the University of Central Florida and pharmacy students from the University of Florida (UF) to help people in Yantalo, Peru.
Puerto Rico | December 2017
On September 20, 2017, a high-end Category 4 hurricane called “Maria” hit Dominican Republic, Bahamas, Turks and Caicos Islands, United States, among others. Three months after the storm, Puerto Rico’s infrastructure remains in a state of disarray and the death toll continues to increase. Practically nothing remains standing. There are clothes, shoes, and house appliances scattered where homes once stood.The electricity grid was in such a bad shape that after the storm hundreds of thousands of people do not have power, and a long period of recovery has been predicted. Many people do not have access to clean running water, dozens of them collect water from open springs and sides of the mountains. There’s a shortage of gasoline, medicines and medical supplies all over the island. The hurricane has further exposed the difficulties that this island faces.
On December 13th, our Executive Director with an HFC team flew to Puerto Rico to help the citizens of the island who are in dire need. Two suitcases were full of donations for people in the island. Among the activities they did: they went to the “Perla de Gran Precio” to speak to women who’ve suffered domestic violence, visited to “Gran Joshua,” which is a foster home for children, offered counseling at church, went to “Antonio Rivera Rivera” to speak to kids and give donations. Also, they held several meetings, with the major of “La Baja,” major of “Naranjito” and with “FEMMA” from Puerto Rico. The words of our Executive Director were: “It was very emotional and overwhelming to witness how desperate and in need Puerto Ricans are." Also, she added that she would like to organize another missionary trip in the upcoming months.
Mexico | October 2017
On September 19, 2017, Central Mexico was hit by an earthquake with an estimated magnitude of 7.1. Its epicenter was about 55 km (34 mi) south of the city of Puebla. The earthquake caused damage in the Mexican states of Puebla and Morelos and in the Greater Mexico City area, involving the collapse of more than 40 buildings. Approximately, 370 people were killed by the earthquake, including 228 in Mexico City, and more than 6,000 were injured. The earthquake coincidentally occurred on the 32nd anniversary of the 1985 Mexico City earthquake, which killed around 10,000 people.
On October 19, 2017, part of our team of therapists travelled to Mexico to help our Hispanic brothers and sisters and impact their lives. Our team visited different shelters and donation’s centers in Jojutla and Colonia Zapata. Also, our team of therapists united forces with a group of rescuers in Tlalpan, which helped families and individuals during the earthquake at the zone zero. Our team had an amazing experience in Mexico and felt so thankful with Marsha and her family for the hospitality. The missionary trip in our team’s words: “We hope we impacted some lives as they impacted ours”. #FuerzaMexico
Cuba | March 2017
On March 2017, Hispanic Family Counseling visited Cuba and brought donations to kids at Catalina de Guines.
