Imagine Receives Grant from The Summit Foundation
As Nelson Mandela stated so beautifully, “If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to his heart.” This is why Imagine is incredibly grateful to the Summit Foundation for its generous support to help ensure that they are able to offer Spanish speaking services to families who are grieving in a language that’s true to their heart.
In Spanish, “duelo” is used to describe grief, and the literal translation of duelo is pain. Imagine wants to support those who are experiencing pain – and other emotions – as they go through their grief journey. Creating a safe space to be able to speak to your grief experience in your native tongue is a powerful experience that Imagine is able to provide. They are helping those who are Spanish speaking to know they are not alone in their feelings and can feel comfortable sharing their experience with one another in their support groups.
In July of 2022, Imagine received a generous grant in the amount of $20,000 from the Summit Foundation in order to help grow their Spanish speaking programs. Thanks to their support, Imagine was able to continue their efforts to provide support to Spanish speaking families. They began their program year in September of 2022 offering two Spanish speaking adult support groups. One of the groups is held in person at Imagine’s Mountainside center, and the other is offered virtually. Both groups meet every other week to hear one another’s stories and give and receive support as they mourn the loss of their person who has died. In order to accomplish this, Imagine employs three bi-lingual staff members who are fluent in Spanish. That means that from the moment a family calls Imagine, they are able to communicate with someone about their loss in their most fluent language. Support calls and orientations are conducted in Spanish, and on a Night of Support, Imagine has a bi-lingual staff member and Spanish Speaking facilitators to lead this adult grief support group.
In addition to Imagine’s support groups, Imagine has also been offering parenting education in Spanish and English for the parents and guardians of the children in Imagine’s support group program. These workshops were created to support the parents/guardians of Imagine’s kids as they navigate the challenges of supporting their children as they grieve. Three programs have been offered since the beginning of Imagine’s program year in September, and two additional workshops will be offered this spring.
Imagine also offers several community webinars throughout the year and Imagine’s Training and Education Director, Veronica Ortiz, LPC, has been offering the same content for a Spanish speaking audience. As a part of their training and education program, Imagine has been able to provide trainings in Spanish to groups where English is their second language, ensuring that language is not a barrier to getting grief support. All of this is possible because of the generous grant provided by the Summit Foundation.
Additionally, Veronica will partner with Imagine’s Newark Program Manager, Sonia Nunez, and Senior Newark Program Associate, Angela Vivar, to present a webinar on Grief in the Latinx Community on April 6th from 7-8:30 p.m. Please visit Imagine’s website atwww.imaginenj.org to register for the free workshop.
Imagine’s Executive Director, Lindsay Schambach said this about the programs that Imagine has been able to offer because of the generosity of The Summit Foundation: “Grief is universal. It knows no age, race, economic or language barriers. If you are able to love, you are able to grieve. We are grateful to be able to partner with the Summit Foundation who share our values and beliefs, as we support our Spanish speaking families and work to ensure that no one grieves alone.”
