Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: Department of Social Work University of Puerto Rico
Legal Name (if Different):
Also Known As: UPRRP
Mailing Address: P O BOX 1744
City: Trujillo Alto
State: PR
Postal Code: 00977
Main Phone: 787-764-0000 Ext 87715
Main Fax:
Organization Website: www.uprrp.edu
Employer ID Number: e118616
Organization Tax Status: 501C

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: March 7, 2026
Requested Amount: $10,000

Project Title: Uniendo Islas: Tejiendo Futuros
Project Description:

The Uniting Islands: Weaving Futures Project is a community-engaged initiative coordinated by faculty from the Social Work Department at the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, as part of the Social Work Methods with Groups course. The project integrates group dynamics, art-based activities, and collaborative games to strengthen socio-emotional learning skills among children and youth while fostering resilience, leadership, and educational aspirations.
The initiative is grounded in a peer mentoring model, where undergraduate social work students facilitate structured group activities with children and adolescents from the Culebra Ecological School. Through these interactions, youth participants gain opportunities to develop communication, emotional regulation, and teamwork skills, while university students strengthen professional competencies in group facilitation, ethical practice, and community engagement.
Over the past 1.5 years, the project has engaged more than 100 children and youth between the ages of 6 and 17 and approximately 50 undergraduate social work students. Activities include socio-emotional learning workshops, cooperative games, and art-based group experiences designed to encourage emotional expression, creativity, and problem-solving.
The project received recognition from the International Association for Social Work with Groups through the SPARC Project, which provided seed funding to support its initial implementation.
The island municipality of Culebra faces persistent structural barriers due to geographic isolation, including limited access to youth development programs, mental health resources, and higher education pathways. This initiative seeks to address these disparities by building meaningful educational and mentoring connections between university students and local youth.
With the requested $10,000 funding for a one-year period, the project will expand its programming and introduce a summer enrichment program, increasing opportunities for youth participation. Funds will support transportation, lodging, meals for participating students and faculty, and the purchase of art supplies and educational materials.
Expected outcomes include improved socio-emotional skills among participating youth, increased leadership and facilitation competencies among university students, and expanded access to enrichment opportunities for children in Culebra. Project impact will be documented through participation records, activity evaluations, and reflective assessments, and a final report will be submitted at the conclusion of the grant period.

Total Project Budget: $10,000

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): $800 grant from the International Association for Social Work with Groups through the SPARC Project In-kind contribution from the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus (faculty time, course integration, academic supervision) Volunteer work from social work students

Project Duration: 1 year
Geographical Area Served: Isla Municipio de Culebra
Age Group To Be Served: 12-18 years

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Dr.
Contact First Name: Nancy
Contact Last Name: Viana
Contact Title: Associate Professor, Project Coordinator
Contact Phone: 787-431-4214
Contact Email: nancy.vianavazquez@upr.edu