Jon Thompson, a Georgia State University (GSU) graduate with a master’s degree in social work, has devoted his professional life to making a difference both locally and globally.
Through his innovative initiative, Comunidad Connect, Mr. Thompson has not only transformed the lives of underserved communities in Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic but has also provided invaluable learning opportunities for current GSU graduate students in various healthcare fields.
Mr. Thompson’s journey and his collaboration with GSU are helping shape the next generation of healthcare professionals and the future of community-based partnerships.
The Vision Behind Comunidad Connect
Mr. Thompson admits that his career path was unimaginable before enrolling in the master’s program in social work at Georgia State University. After earning a bachelor’s degree in history from Centre College in 1997, Mr. Thompson developed a wanderlust that led him on a life-changing journey.
In early 1998, he embarked on a spontaneous, six-month adventure through Mexico and Central America. An avid surfer for many years, Mr. Thompson eventually found himself in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua—a beach town renowned for great surfing and exciting nightlife.
“I was just looking for fun and good waves,” he recalls. “But when I got to San Juan del Sur, something about it really spoke to me, and it soon became my second home.”
Much to his surprise, this small town in Nicaragua gave Mr. Thompson a glimpse of what his future might entail. He learned a great deal about the people, their struggles and their aspirations. As he met locals and became familiar with their quality of life, he was often astonished by their resilience in the face of deprivation and poverty.
Fluent in Spanish, Mr. Thompson’s understanding of the local culture quickly grew. He recognized that many Nicaraguans’ basic needs—better housing, quality healthcare and good nutrition—could be easily met if someone advocated for them.
“I was just looking for fun and good waves, but when I got to San Juan del Sur, something about it really spoke to me.”
jon THOMPSON
Inspired by their plight, Mr. Thompson pursued his master’s degree in Social Work with a concentration in Community Partnerships at GSU. He regularly visited Nicaragua on academic breaks and eventually married Nicaragua native Arelis in 2002 when he graduated.
Reflecting on his time at GSU, he says, “That’s where the commitment to community service that I’d learned from my folks inspired me to study partnerships.”
Mr. Thompson’s family was active in the Candler Park neighborhood of Atlanta. “I grew up in a largely outreach-driven community that centered around Clifton Presbyterian Church on McLendon Avenue,” he says. “That church established a homeless shelter for men in Atlanta at a time when there were none.”
With that vision in mind, Mr. Thompson created Comunidad Connect in 2005, a nonprofit organization that facilitates partnerships among communities, resource providers and a wide variety of volunteers to provide healthcare, housing, food security, clean water, community and youth development and entrepreneurial support, beginning in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua.
Creating Opportunities for GSU Students
Mr. Thompson’s journey came full circle when his alma mater, GSU, became a key partner in Comunidad Connect’s mission. Inspired by the growing trend of volunteer tourism, Mr. Thompson saw great potential in partnering with GSU’s graduate programs. At the same time, GSU was seeking ways to expand its global initiatives. Such a partnership would not only provide students a pathway from college to career but also allow them to make meaningful contributions to the international communities they serve.
For healthcare students like Nancy Le and Amber Person, the opportunity to gain professional experience while studying abroad was irresistible. Le and Person both enrolled in GSU’s graduate-level course, “Occupational Therapy, Service Learning, and Dominican Republic Communities.”
Through GSU courses like this and Comunidad Connect, graduate students have a chance to hone their skills in environments that challenge them to think critically and adapt to unique situations.
“Serving these families allowed us first-hand experience with our clinical application skills,” Le says. “Healthcare is a priority, and language shouldn’t restrict families from receiving the services and care that they rightfully deserve.”
By working alongside experienced professionals and community members through Comunidad Connect, students learn the importance of empathy, communication and collaboration in delivering effective care.
The Impact on Students and Communities
The collaboration between Comunidad Connect and GSU has profoundly impacted both the students involved and the communities they serve. For students, the experience is transformative.
“As a minority, I knew that I wanted to give back to the community that
raised me by serving families that are underserved (i.e., lack of resources, low socioeconomic status, low education level, low health literacy, language barriers, etc.) when I become a licensed occupational therapist,” says Le.
Students participating in Comunidad Connect programs in Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic return to their GSU studies in Atlanta with a deeper understanding of the complexities of healthcare delivery. Experiences like these not only enhance their academic performance but also prepare them for their careers as culturally aware healthcare professionals.
For the Latin American communities, the impact is equally significant. The presence of enthusiastic and skilled students provides much-needed support to local healthcare initiatives. Whether conducting health assessments, providing therapy sessions or assisting at the local clinic, the students’ contributions are invaluable.
Comunidad Connect ensures that these efforts are sustainable, working closely with local leaders to build capacity and empower communities to take charge of their own health and development.
A Model for Future Collaborations
Comunidad Connect’s partnership with GSU serves as a model for how universities and non-profit organizations can collaborate to create meaningful change.
By leveraging the resources and expertise of academic institutions like GSU, Comunidad Connect has expanded its reach and impact. Mr. Thompson emphasizes that these experiences are more than just one-time engagements; students and volunteers strive to provide continuity of care even in their absence.
“We’re providing recommendations not only for individual clients but for the organizations that will be helping them after we go,” said Ms. Person. “That creates a lasting impact on individuals and their families’ lives too.”
The success of this collaboration exemplifies GSU’s commitment to a variety of international initiatives. During the COVID-19 crisis, GSU created The Free Passport Program that ensures allocated funds further students’ chances of studying abroad, even when travel restrictions kept them home.
Since then, more than 1,500 GSU students have taken the first step toward becoming global citizens and obtained their free passport. Students from several fields are now able to contribute to and benefit from opportunities like Comunidad Connect.
As more students engage in these opportunities, the ripple effect of positive change continues to grow, both within the university and in the communities served.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Comunidad Connect and GSU
As Comunidad Connect continues to evolve, Mr. Thompson remains committed to expanding its impact. Future plans include developing more partnerships with universities and healthcare institutions, creating additional opportunities for student involvement and exploring new areas of need within the communities they serve in Latin American countries.
The organization is also focused on sustainability, ensuring that the programs and initiatives it supports can continue to thrive long after the students have completed their fieldwork.
For GSU, the partnership with Comunidad Connect has opened new avenues for student learning and engagement. The university is proud to support initiatives that align with its mission of fostering academic excellence, social responsibility and global citizenship. By continuing to work closely with Comunidad Connect, GSU is preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals to be not only skilled practitioners but also compassionate leaders committed to making a difference in the world.
To support international opportunities for GSU students, the university recently launched its first kickstarter campaign to raise $10,000 for the more than 800 students who pursue study abroad classes every year.
Study abroad courses are a tremendous way for undergraduates to enhance their academic careers, significantly boosting their chances of graduating in four years. Contributors to the campaign can ensure that students will benefit academically and gain the experience they need to thrive in an increasingly global workplace, regardless of their financial circumstances.
Donate to GSU study abroad scholarships, or learn more about GSU’s Office of International Initiatives.
Learn more about Comunidad Connect.
