A Caring Community is a Healthy Community: LS Cura Project

Do you need help or support because of this pandemic? The Loyola Schools (LS) has got you covered. Aptly named the LS Cura Project or the LS Covid Unified Response and Assistance Project, this centralized platform of help-seeking entry points is the Loyola Schools' helpline for students and employees alike. Through the LS Cura Project, the community can access help and support for issues concerning medical health and mental health, academics, and human resource support. They can also self-report COVID-19 and other illnesses that may warrant special consideration and assistance.

The LS Cura Project is ably supported by the Task Force on COVID-19 Response created by the Office of the Vice-President for the Loyola Schools. Consisting of representatives from different LS sectors, including students, faculty, staff, professionals, and administrators, the task force is responsible for expeditiously bridging the community's needs to authorized specialists and resource persons who can help. "Because of the task force, we can easily put the group together, get data from the ground, and check on each other. We will also be able to do kumustahan sessions," says Joy Salita, Associate Dean for Student and Administrative Services. The task force is instrumental in disseminating information, gathering feedback, and offering recommendations for much-needed services of the LS during this pandemic. Because of this integrated platform, the LS Task Force on Covid-19 Response is able to make data-based recommendations for the good of the community.

The LS Cura Project is easily accessible to the community through the LS One portal, which can be accessed via the LS One GSite, LS One Student Blueboard on Facebook, LS One Student Blueboard on Twitter, and LS One on Canvas. In addition, multiple access points were made available to reach students and employees better. "Effective communication across the LS units and networks is instrumental to Cura's success," says Salita. Indeed, Cura is a conglomeration of support from many partners and collaborators: the Bulatao Center, the EMMAUS Center for Psycho-Spiritual Formation, the Medical City, Katatagan Online, the Department of Psychology, the InTACT Program, the Office of Student Activities, the Office of Campus Ministry, the Office of College Athletics, the Loyola Schools Human Resource Services, the Office of Human Resource Management and Organization Development, the Office of the University Physician, the Office of Guidance and Counseling, the Office of Health Services, the Office of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, the Office of the Associate Dean for Graduate Programs, the Office of the Associate Dean for Student Formation, the Student and Administrative Services Cluster and the Office of the Vice President for the Loyola Schools. 

Salita reiterates that the Cura Project is simply a continuation, evolution, and integration of the different Loyola Schools offices' mandates even before the pandemic. As the pandemic drags on, Salita enjoins everyone to keep holding the line and caring for each other. "Though we are apart, we still have each other. As the pandemic persists, I hope that students and employees can continue embodying cura personalis or care for the whole person. This is what the Cura Project seeks to do for the community," she says.

For more information and to access assistance during this pandemic, visit the Cura Project.