Katonah Teacher to Lead House-Building Trip to Caribbean

Mark Grossman is heading for the Caribbean. If you think he will be spending a week laying on a beach and drinking something that has a little umbrella in it, think again.

Grossman, a teacher at John Jay Middle School, will be leading a group down a village called Las Charcas, in the poor areas of the Dominican Republic--a world away from the resorts that dot the white sand beaches on the East Coast.

And they'll do it all in a week, under the auspices of an organization called Cambiando Vidas.

"It is amazing to see a house built in five days and work alongside the family that will live in that house," said Grossman.

He got involved in Cambiando Vidas (which means "changing lives") through his neighbor, Chris Goodrich, who had been involved with Habitat for Humanity and is now president of Cambiando Vidas.

"Chris and I got to talking and he convinced me to go on a build," said Grossman, who lives in Brookfield, CT. This will be the fifth time he has made this trip, each time as a group leader. "I love it. I just love it."

The group Grossman will be leading on this trip, which leaves on June 26 and will return on July 3, will consist of 16 people, including his 17-year-old son Jacob, co-leader Chris MacDonald of Cross River, and his daughter Mallory, along with fellow teacher Heather Coles. Members range from two high school freshmen, who are going with their fathers, and two recent college graduates, who will be bringing their fathers, said Grossman.

"There is no doubt that building a simple 700 square foot cinderblock changes the lives of a family that is living on the edge of squalor, but what happens to those involved is even more profound," said MacDonald. "Friendships are created through mutual respect, shared hard work and a sense of accomplishment."

The volunteers will build a small two-bedroom house, working alongside volunteers from Las Charcas, including the family whose house is being built. "They all come out to help," Grossman said. "Anyone who has a Cambiando Vidas house helps, and those who want one in the future help." The recipients of the homes pay an interest-free mortgage to Cambiando Vidas.

The houses are constructed of cement blocks and mortar, have indoor plumbing, and are resistant to hurricanes and earthquakes. They replace rickety wooden cottages with no plumbing. "Around here, they would be equivalent to a cinder block garage. There, they are a McMansion," Grossman said.  

It costs about $1200 to send each volunteer builder to the Dominican Republic, which covers building materials, travel, and food. Some volunteers pay their own way, but Cambiando Vidas raises funds to pay for some volunteers.

The organization has built about 16 houses in Las Charcas, Grossman said. The idea is to get one community involved in improving itself and learning how to build houses on its own. When about 20 houses are built, Cambiando Vidas will move on to another poor Dominican village and start the process again.

"There are organizations in the United States that are doing this type of thing," Grossman said. But Cambiando Vidas is able to build a house in the Dominican Republic for about $10,000, something that would not be feasible in the United States, he said.

On his trips to Las Charcas, Grossman has learned that he has an affinity for the Dominican Republic and that area of the world. "My heart has a calling to Latin American countries. I love the spirit, the music and the sense of community."

Cambiando Vidas has a website where you can learn more about the program or make a donation.