The foundation’s staff wanted to convey what it meant to them to welcome and care for people with disabilities affected by Dana and to accompany their families.
“Participating as a caregiver at the Dana Homes is a huge responsibility and reward. Being able to offer the children this weekend of enjoyment, to get to know our center, our activities, and to keep their smiles on their faces. All of this comforts me both professionally and personally, hence the huge responsibility of making them feel at home. And above all, and very importantly, being able to give the families a much needed breath of fresh air, after everything that has happened, and to make them feel like FLK is a home they can return to whenever they want. Thank you for counting on me, and for filling my heart with even more love, if possible.”
Andrea Furió, Caregiver at the Dana Temporary Shelters
“This has been a deep and enriching experience: I am especially thankful to the wonderful people who came to the Foundation: Menia and Paloma. On Sunday, it was very moving to see the gratitude and happiness shown by Paloma’s family. Seeing families so happy and safe makes my work very rewarding.”
María Villalón, Caregiver at the Dana Temporary Shelters
“Being in charge of a sheltered housing project, I’ve had the opportunity to contribute to the organization of the temporary shelter program for people affected by the DANA disaster in Valencia. This has been huge challenge, but one full of learning and dedication. It’s moving to witness human resilience in its purest form. Despite the difficulties, these people teach us every day that strength lies not only in resisting, but in accepting help, sharing smiles, and allowing ourselves to dream again. This program not only offers respite and leisure time to them, but also to their families, who can relax and take some time for themselves, knowing their children are in good hands.” Every goodbye is bittersweet, but the satisfaction of having been part of a small but significant rebirth in their lives remains, and it has reminded me of the true meaning of solidarity: it’s not just about giving what we have, but about sharing who we are.
Jose Carmona, Head of Sheltered Housing
“As a social worker at the Lukas Foundation, along with my colleague Jose Carmona (Head of Housing), it has been very exciting to be able to contribute to the management of shelters for people affected by the DANA. From the first contact with the families until the moment they leave the foundation, it is a continuous learning process. Getting to know the stories behind each family and knowing that for a few days, you have been able to contribute to ensuring that, through our sheltered housing model for people with severe multiple disabilities, these users and their families have been able to take a break is completely satisfying and rewarding, both personally and professionally.”
Montse Martínez, Social Worker
“The first testimony I recorded was an immense shock to reality. Seeing everything these families have been through and how they struggle to recover is incredible. Being able to hear and record these families’ stories, and seeing the gratitude in their eyes toward us for caring for their children and the emotion they feel that this help exists for them as parents… there is no greater gratitude for us as foundation employees.”
Katerina, Communications Technician