Blog Published

Blog_1617483250623_S

1617483250623


"Así, pues, hagamos el bien sin desanimarnos, que a su debido tiempo cosecharemos si somos constantes". (Gálatas 6:9)

¿Pensábamos hace un año que el COVID-19 sería sólo un tropiezo en el camino y que nuestro estilo de vida se vería interrumpido durante sólo unas semanas? ¿Pensábamos que todos estos meses después seguiríamos usando mascarillas y buscando desinfectante para las manos con tanta regularidad? ¿Comprendíamos la profundidad de los efectos de perder nuestras interacciones con la familia y los amigos, o incluso la pérdida de seres queridos a causa de la pandemia? ¿Comprendíamos lo que el estancamiento en la educación e intelecto causaría a nuestros hijos, a nuestros colegas o a nosotros mismos, o el trastorno a nuestra psique?

No. Hace un año sólo pensábamos en abastecernos de papel higiénico, toallas de papel y toallitas desinfectantes.

No estoy segura de cuándo ocurrió con exactitud, pero en algún momento, y creo que fue al principio, quedó claro que nuestra misión seguía siendo igual de importante, si no más, y que debíamos encontrar otra forma de cumplirla. Teníamos que perseverar y reclamar algún tipo de proceso o rutina. Esperar a que las cosas volvieran a la normalidad no era realista, ni siquiera factible. La espera aparentemente eterna y el continuo patrón de suspensión eran paralizantes e ineficaces, en especial cuando se trata de proteger a los niños y a los adultos vulnerables, y sobre todo cuando sabemos que, en tiempos de agitación y estrés, los más vulnerables son aún más susceptibles.

En la Oficina de Ambiente Seguro de la Arquidiócesis de Miami hemos utilizado este tiempo —detesto decir "aprovechado la oportunidad" al referirme a la pandemia— para encontrar nuevas modalidades de educar a nuestro pueblo a fin de promover nuestros objetivos de concienciación y prevención del abuso de niños y adultos vulnerables.

  • Suspendimos las sesiones presenciales de capacitación en Virtus para adultos, y adoptamos una versión en línea que está disponible en inglés, español o con subtítulos en coreano o vietnamita. La lectura en línea de los boletines mensuales sigue siendo necesaria y ha sido especialmente útil para los temas que abordan los desafíos de la pandemia, entre otros.
  • Adaptamos las seis lecciones del Programa de los Límites y la Seguridad para niños (dos de las cuales son obligatorias cada año) para incluir planes de lecciones con el fin de que los maestros y catequistas las impartan a través de Zoom u otro método virtual. También creamos planes de lecciones para los padres que querían presentarlas en sus hogares, sobre todo si no tenían acceso a las lecciones virtuales.
  • Creamos un módulo en línea para capacitar a los coordinadores locales, cuyas funciones incluyen garantizar el cumplimiento y el registro de la Política de Ambiente Seguro en sus centros. Esto se realizaba anteriormente en un taller presencial.
  • Creamos un módulo en línea para capacitar a los directores y coordinadores de Educación Religiosa sobre la política de Ambiente Seguro y los requisitos de sus posiciones. Anteriormente esto se hacía en un taller presencial.
  • Añadimos un módulo en línea de la Orientación para Líderes de Clases a fin de ayudar a los maestros y catequistas a adquirir conocimientos y un nivel cómodo para impartir las lecciones del Programa de los Límites y la Seguridad para los niños.
  • Añadimos un módulo en línea de Opciones Saludables Para los Adolescentes y una edición ampliada que incluye un componente de ambiente seguro diseñado específicamente para aquellos adolescentes que, además de ser estudiantes, también sirven como voluntarios en alguna capacidad. Este módulo incluye la información que necesitan para reforzar su propia seguridad y para entender cómo crear entornos seguros para otros niños o adultos vulnerables que puedan estar a su cargo mientras realizan el voluntariado. (Nunca se permite que los adolescentes estén solos en esta función. Siempre están supervisados por un adulto entrenado en Virtus).
  • Añadimos un módulo en línea para la capacitación de los sacerdotes internacionales que pueden tener dificultades con las diferencias culturales al llegar a la Arquidiócesis.
  • Añadimos un módulo en línea para Adultos Vulnerables que se puede asignar a quienes tratan específicamente con esta población, como los que visitan hospicios, hospitales y personas confinadas en sus hogares.
  • Actualizamos la página de inicio de Virtus para hacerla más fácil de usar, con acceso rápido a los entrenamientos pendientes e Informes de Entrenamiento para imprimir.

En estos tiempos turbulentos, el compromiso de la Oficina de Ambiente Seguro de proteger a los niños y adultos vulnerables es inquebrantable, ya sea en persona, en línea, virtualmente o con "señales de humo sagrado" (como decimos en la Iglesia católica). En colaboración con nuestras parroquias, las escuelas, las entidades, el clero, los padres y los voluntarios, debemos mantener el impulso, y superar todos los obstáculos y los desafíos para mejorar nuestros esfuerzos de protección de manera constante. Los niños y las personas vulnerables a nuestro cargo cuentan con nosotros y no podemos caer en el conformismo. Debemos perseverar.

"Por su parte, hermanos, no se cansen de hacer el bien". (2 Tesalonicenses 3:13)

Comments from readers

Patricia S. Hernandez - 04/16/2021 02:05 AM
May God always fortify our commitment to children and to reporting any suspicion of child abuse in the memory of any victim.
Eileen D-H - 04/15/2021 11:26 AM
What a terrific summary of what has transpired this past year! You have certainly been busy building on the Virtus program to continue and expand its important mission in these challenging times. Sincere thanks to Jan and the entire Virtus team for all you have done for us.
Lisa Pinto - 04/14/2021 01:07 PM
Jan, you couldn't have picked a better Scripture passage to welcome us to your message -- I'm sure that we, your readers, have responded with a resounding "YES!" and feel encouraged to keep up the fight. Thank you for enumerating the initiatives you've done to continue to educate and inform us -- and to keep us abreast of even "newer" and more insidious challenges to the safety of our most vulnerable brothers and sisters during this time. Thank you for "not grow[ing] weary of doing good!"
Pat Neal - 04/14/2021 12:19 PM
What a powerful and uplifting message, and I feel so blessed to be a part of this most important ministry in the prevention efforts. Jan, you are truly an inspiration to us all, and thank you for your continued support and your creative ways in keeping the program strong during these challenging days! Blessings!
Michael Plummer - 04/13/2021 11:10 AM
Good summary. Good service. Thanks Jan.
Valli Leone - 04/13/2021 09:49 AM
Praise the Lord! This is our Church – – and, Jan, you and the others involved in this protective programming are doing a great job. What a complete and tremendous joy it is to know that the Body of Christ continues to live and move and have it’s very being by the power of God’s love for His children. We all benefit from your not growing weary in these good efforts. Jesus never fails! 🔆❤️🔆
Jensen R. - 04/12/2021 06:59 PM
Thank you, Jan! It is comforting to know that the importance of protecting children is still a priority during the pandemic. It is our responsibility to make sure they are safe especially during these difficult times. God Bless!
Br. Lombardo D'Auria, OFM Cap. - 04/12/2021 04:15 PM
Hi Jan and Team,peace, the new Virtus webpage is a great tool for our Archdiocese. Thanks for the excellent changes. Let's keep working together as a community for the benefits of our children, youth, and vulnerable adults. May the Lord bless you and keep you! Fraternally in the Risen Christ.
Maria Hopkins - 04/12/2021 03:25 PM
The changes were perfect for this challenging school year. Thank you and God bless!!!
Natalia Simich - 04/12/2021 03:25 PM
Thanks for everything you do! Thanks for keeping us informed and safe. Blessings.
Carrie Barillas - 04/12/2021 03:01 PM
Good information. Thank you
Kathy Werthman - 04/12/2021 01:57 PM
Great job, Jan and team!
Ellen Henehan - 04/12/2021 01:25 PM
It's a concerted effort for the entire community - parents, teachers, administrators, coaches, volunteers and even the students themselves. We persevere for one another. As we move from Lent to Easter to Pentecost, we call each other to be one, holy, catholic and apostolic. The work of the Virtus team in Miami exemplifies these values - thank you all!
Issa Gaytan - 04/12/2021 12:58 PM
It is very commendable the great effort that the Archdiocese of Miami and Jan Rayburn has been doing in this difficult times. They not only started from scratch, they did a great job updating everything and creating a new Safe Environment and thanks to them, we have tools for helping all God's children in the way they require. I am very happy with the outcome, it was very helpful for this year because I was able to train not only the children but the parents as well. Thank you jan for all that you do.
Fanny Garcia-Dubus - 04/12/2021 12:31 PM
Thank you so much for all the efforts, all the time and faith in this program! you make a big difference for all of us. God bless you Jan
Amy Cumming - 04/12/2021 11:42 AM
God bless our children and may we all work together to keep them safe at all times.
Marcia Gaitan - 04/12/2021 11:13 AM
Thank you for all you do please continue the good job of educating us under the current circumstances.We trust and hope that we can meet face to face in the near future.
Ann-Marie Donnelly - 04/12/2021 10:44 AM
Thank you for adapting so well to our current circumstances. We appreciate everything you do in helping to keep everyone informed and safe.
Anie Flor - 04/12/2021 10:40 AM
Adopting the online training workshops and other online module programs for different purposes has been a blessing as well as a productive enhancement to the safe environment office as we continue our commitment to our mission of awareness in the protection of abused children and vulnerable adults. Thank you for all your hard work and dedication during these difficult times.
Gloria G - 04/12/2021 10:35 AM
We have been blessed for your continuous support and dedication throughout these difficult times. You have continued to remind us ,hat our number one priority is to keep our students safe, and for that we are truly grateful!
annie molleda - 04/12/2021 10:13 AM
Thank you for your dedication to keeping us all informed and working towards keeping our communities safe. Knowledge, awareness and action are important and ongoing.
Jennifer Nicholson - 04/12/2021 09:39 AM
Thank you for all that you do to keep our students safe. The new updates to Virtus have helped to continue the mission of safety for everyone involved in the Catholic faith community.
Lisa Dodge - 04/12/2021 09:29 AM
It has been a trying year for all and I am so happy that we were still able to educate our children and adults. It is great we have an online option for Virtus, I just hope that we will be able to meet again in person for our classes with adults. We were able to teach the majority of our children in person with our Touching Safety classes. Thank for all you do to keep our students and vulnerable adults safe
Michelle Peral - 04/12/2021 09:27 AM
Thank you for your leadership, guidance and help throughout this very difficult year. I’m especially grateful for the privilege of being a part of the Saint Louis Covenant School family. This year has brought additional issues within the pandemic that presented great challenges for many of us. I am humbled and extremely thankful for the prayers, the friendship and this incredible community.
Vickie - 04/12/2021 09:17 AM
It's wonderful to see how you have adapted the system in order to continue our purpose of training and keeping up with all updates. Excellent!
Terri Williams - 04/12/2021 08:45 AM
Thank you! The last 13 months have been trying due to the pandemic! It would have been very easy to fall into the slump of negativity about what was to come. But after the first 6 months I for one reminded myself that this is happening for a reason. It is with us now and I must discover, uncover, new ways of doing old things! So the challenge was to remain positive trust that God's got us and rely on Him! So, yes, it's a new normal, but I believe God will hear and answer the prayers of the faithful!
Alicia Mendes - 04/12/2021 08:37 AM
It is so good to see how well you were able to adapt to the very different and restrictive circumstances thrust upon us by the pandemic, especially with respect to this most important mission. Many great programs were developed to continue and improve the work of protecting God's children and vulnerable adults, and doing so in the online environment. The online adult trainings have been especially helpful for our new volunteers, as it gets them working with VIRTUS and familiar with the system before they begin volunteering in person. Thanks for all you do!
Paulette Vitale - 04/12/2021 08:04 AM
The online training for volunteers has been a godsend. I am glad for those options. Thank you. The content across-the-board remains to be informative, encouraging, necessary and welcomed.
Anita Brommer - 04/12/2021 07:54 AM
Very well written blog and “spot on” title of perseverance. I appreciate your words “Waiting for things to return to normal just wasn’t realistic or even finite” and thank you for going the extra mile. I personally found a “silver lining” and am filled with immense gratitude that I can always count and lean on my Catholic faith, parish and pastor. God bless each and every one of us.
David Gonzalez - 04/12/2021 07:24 AM
God bless you Jan, Stay in the fight we have a long road ahead...

Powered by Parish Mate | E-system

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply