José Manuel Abreu began his speech with a shocking story of his mother’s house burning down. After countless, unknown people rushed to his family’s aid, he concocted a plan.

Abreu is a native from the Dominican Republic. He is the man that began Cambiando Vidas, which is Spanish for “Changing Lives.”

Abreu visited on Nov. 11 during the First Quarter Awards Assembly to tell his story and demonstrate the wonderful impact of the organization. He spoke of the JC students and Dominican kids loving the time spent building the home and the many countless friendships that were made.

This program organizes high school or college students to travel to the Dominican Republic in order to help rebuild dilapidated houses. “We build one house in one week. [There is] no Plan B. [When we finish, on] Thursday, we have a party,” Abreu said.

In June, a group of 12 students, religion teacher Thomas Vierheller, and former religion teacher Elise Gower went to the DR to assist Abreu and be a part of the Cambiando Vidas team.

Junior Katie Sullivan was part of the group that went to the DR over the summer. “[Abreu] is an awesome person, which makes it hard to describe him in only a couple words,” Sullivan said. “I hope other people [will have the chance to] experience his easy-going personality and love for everyone.”

Abreu, in return, expressed his love for the program and the JC students during his speech. When asked about the trip he said, “you can never laugh too much.”

Abreu’s speech and the testimonies of the students who went on the trip inspire other students to join the team. According to senior Jasmine Jones, “his speech made me want to go on the trip and help people.”

Morgan Taylor is a Copy Editor for The Patriot and jcpatriot.com.