Standing With Colombia: Support, Connection, and Hope (NEWSLETTER)
Updated: 2 days ago
An update from Commit and Act Colombia
Dear friends and supporters,
Thanks to your generosity and compassion, we were able to raise $2,262.05 and provide much-needed emotional and psychological support to more than 250 individuals
directly impacted by the earthquake.
Your contributions have helped us bring hope, healing, and connection to individuals and families navigating the aftermath of this devastating event.
We are deeply grateful to our donors, volunteers, mental health professionals, and community partners who came together to make this possible.
Together, we are making a meaningful difference, one person, one family, and one community at a time.
Thank you for being part of this journey and helping us turn compassion into action. Below is a report of how we used the donations we received.
When an earthquake disrupts a community, rebuilding also means helping people find support and work through fear, grief, and uncertainty. Commit and Act Colombia is responding with a commitment to FREE psychological care for survivors and their families, and clinical support to the clinicians working with all of those impacted by this traumatic experience.
With the support of donors, volunteers, and mental health professionals, our earthquake relief initiative has been a success and has brought survivors and their families education on trauma, 6 FREE counseling sessions, and opportunities for connection. More specifically, we were able to provide one on one counseling sessions to 40 individuals impacted by the earthquake, and delivered two group EMDR workshops (G-TEP) to a group of clinicians working with the victims, three webinars with 83 registrants, and one in-person workshop with over 107 attendees in Cali. We made every penny count, and we want to thank you for your contribution. Without donors like you all of this wouldn’t have been possible. Thanks for believing in our mission and our wok!
Psychological Support After the Earthquake
Our relief program included:
Free in-person workshops and online webinars offering practical coping tools and education about responses to trauma. In these groups, we identify the participants who need more support and qualify for our individual counseling sessions. These webinars are hosted by licensed clinicians based in the U.S.
Up to six individual counseling sessions for eligible survivors, addressing trauma, grief, emotional stabilization, and recovery.
Free trauma and grief support groups to help people connect and navigate the emotional aftermath together.
Psychological support for professionals who contribute their services to the relief effort. We offered one G-TEP (EMDR) group, “Cuidando al Cuidador” (Taking care of the Caretaker), and a follow-up group hosted by Dr. Noëlle Opsahl.
This work draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and trauma-informed care, with attention to the culture, experiences, and needs of the communities we serve. Donations help reduce financial barriers to support. Learn about our earthquake relief services.
Learning and Healing Together
Our free webinar series provided individuals, families, and community members with opportunities to learn from mental health professionals, ask questions, and access valuable emotional support and practical coping strategies in a safe and welcoming environment, without pressure to share personal experiences.
These webinars were made possible by the generosity and dedication of mental health professionals who volunteered their time, knowledge, and expertise to support communities affected by the earthquake. Their commitment helped us create accessible spaces for education, connection, and healing during a time of uncertainty and distress.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to each professional who contributed to this initiative. Your compassion, collaboration, and willingness to serve have made a meaningful difference in the lives of those navigating grief, trauma, and the challenges of recovery.
These were the webinars provided:
How to Cope with Intrusive Thoughts and Uncomfortable Emotions After Trauma, with Sabrina Mautner, LMHC, and co-hosted by Catalina Fortich, LMHC, provided several practical internal resources for participants to practice self-regulation and grounding after the earthquake.
Understanding the Body’s Response to an EarthquakeOur September 24 webinar listing featured Dr. Limary Lorenzo, and co-hosted by Catalina Fortich, LMHC, exploring the nervous system and its response when the ground—and our sense of safety—feels uncertain.
Juntos en el Duelo: Un Espacio para SanarIn this webinar, Dr. Marisol Blanco and Dr. Patricia Castellanos, supported by Catalina Fortich, LMHC, hosted a virtual gathering focused on grief and connection.
Post-Earthquake Stress Management Workshop
This was an in-person workshop provided to a group of 107 participants in Cali, Colombia, and facilitated by the Colombian psychologist, Andrea Villarreal. The workshop was based on grounding skills and how to cope with grief.
These educational gatherings complement individual mental health care. We are grateful to the speakers who volunteered their time and expertise and to the supporters who made free participation possible. Explore our webinars
Thanks to Our Speakers
At Commit and Act Proyecto Colombia, we would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the professionals who generously shared their time, knowledge, and expertise in support of our emotional recovery initiatives following the recent earthquakes in Colombia.
A special thank you to our colleagues Dr. Noëlle Opsahl, Sabrina Mautner, LMHC, Dr. Limary Lorenzo, Dr. Marisol Blanco, and Dr. Patricia Castellanos for their valuable contributions, commitment, and willingness to support our community.
Their collaboration has helped us create meaningful spaces for education, connection, emotional support, and hope for individuals, families, and professionals impacted by this experience.
Thank you for helping us transform knowledge and compassion into meaningful action that strengthens our communities.
Our CAA Project Colombia Team:
Recognizing Our Volunteer Therapists
We would also like to extend our heartfelt appreciation to the volunteer therapists who have generously contributed their time, knowledge, and compassion to support Commit and Act Proyecto Colombia’s earthquake response efforts.
A special thank you to Andrea Villareal, Psychologist in Colombia; Catalina Fortich, LMHC; Dr. Noëlle Opsahl, and Carolina Gaviria, LMHC, NCC, CEDS-C for their dedication to coordinating and providing emotional support, educational resources, workshops, and therapeutic services to individuals and communities impacted by the earthquakes.
Their commitment reflects the heart of our mission: connecting, caring, and taking meaningful action to support healing and strengthen communities during times of crisis.
We are deeply grateful for their willingness to volunteer their time and skills and for their continued commitment to the people and communities of Colombia.
What's Next at Commit and Act Proyecto Colombia?
Continuing Our Commitment to Healing, Connection, and Community Support
Following the positive response to our individual counseling services, support groups, and educational webinars, Commit and Act Proyecto Colombia is excited to continue expanding opportunities for emotional healing, professional collaboration, and community resilience.
Here's what's coming next:
Upcoming EMDR/G-TEP Workshop – October 17
We are preparing for our upcoming EMDR Group Traumatic Episode Protocol (G-TEP) workshop on October 17, offering participants an opportunity to explore trauma-focused strategies that support emotional stabilization and recovery.
Supporting Mental Health Professionals
We are also planning two clinical case consultation groups for mental health professionals. These sessions will provide opportunities for clinicians to exchange knowledge, reflect on clinical challenges, and strengthen their skills in supporting individuals affected by trauma, grief, and other emotional difficulties.
Navigating Grief During the Holiday Season
The holidays can be particularly challenging for individuals and families coping with loss, especially following a traumatic event such as an earthquake.
We are planning two webinars focused on “Holidays and Grief,” exploring ways to navigate difficult emotions, honor loved ones, manage expectations, and find moments of connection and meaning during the holiday season.
We also hope to collaborate with experienced mental health professionals, including Dr. Limary Lorenzo, to bring different perspectives and practical resources to our community.
Mindfulness and Emotional Well-Being
We are exploring a potential collaboration with Mindfulness Colombia to offer an educational webinar introducing mindfulness-based strategies for managing stress, cultivating self-compassion, and supporting emotional well-being.
Expanding Our Community Resources
We are continuing to develop accessible educational materials, visual aids, and resources to help individuals, families, and professionals strengthen their coping skills and support their emotional recovery.
Our Commitment Extends Beyond Disaster Relief
Commit and Act Colombia also supports women affected by domestic and gender-based violence, including single mothers. Our broader work combines psychological support with training for professionals in ACT and opportunities to strengthen community care.
Through ongoing supervision, research, and participant feedback, we continue developing services that respond to the people we serve. This commitment to accessible, compassionate care guides both our established programs and our earthquake response. Read about our mission.
STAY CONNECTED!
At Commit and Act Proyecto Colombia, we believe healing happens through connection, compassion, and collective action. We remain committed to creating spaces where individuals and communities can find support, develop resilience, and move forward together.
Visit www.caa-colombia.com for opportunities to volunteer with us, updates, upcoming events, and registration information.
Together, we can continue building a community of hope, healing, and resilience.
Help Us Continue This Work
Colombia is just beginning to rebuild and process its losses. You can contribute to our work and support these communities by donating, volunteering your professional expertise, or sharing our services with someone who may need support.
To our clinicians, volunteers, donors, and community partners: thank you for helping make this work possible. Your participation helps us bring care and connection to people facing difficult circumstances.
Colombia: commitandactcolombia@gmail.comU.S. chapter: commitandactus@gmail.com
With gratitude,
The Commit and Act Colombia Team
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