NORWALK, CT - Builders Beyond Borders (B3), a local non-profit that empowers high school students to conduct building projects in impoverished communities, both locally and globally, has selected the Dominican Republic as their destination for the winter/spring of 2018. The announcement was made during the organization’s ‘Despedida’, an annual event celebrating the accomplishments of the year.
“The students were thrilled to hear we are headed to the Dominican Republic in 2018,” said Amy Schroeder-Riggio, Executive Director of B3. “It’s a special place and B3 has strong connections with community leaders in the country from previous years. We have plenty of options for projects that fit within our criteria.” B3 selects projects that ensure the safety of the students, are enduring and sustainable, impact the entire community and are in proximity to some of the destination country’s cultural centers.
“Having close ties there also affords us access to the rich natural and cultural features that make the Dominican Republic one of the most beautiful countries in the Caribbean,” Schroeder-Riggio added. “It’s just one of those destinations students don’t want to miss.”
The Builders Beyond Borders experience is designed to build character, responsibility, and leadership in high school students, while also fostering a lifelong commitment to community service. Students enroll to join during the spring and summer, then the B3 program itself mirrors the school year. They are required to perform local community service projects during the fall and winter months leading up to the international service projects in February, March, and April. No other program has high school students performing more local community service projects than B3, having logged over 2,000 hours this year alone.
B3’s student and adult volunteers provide much of the labor and funding to build projects. Students must raise approximately 80% of their share of program expenses including building materials, airfare, and accommodations (B3 raises the remaining 20% through events, grants, and other donations). Teams live and work alongside their host community to develop and construct a new facility determined by the local community that they know will transform lives. In the process, the students have their own transformative experience.
“Combining the power of volunteerism, experiencing a new culture, and working with fellow students on a construction site alongside members of a community in need, it really opens their eyes and brings out their best,” said Schroeder-Riggio. “You can literally watch the students mature right before your eyes – we call it the ‘B3 magic’.”
B3 has an outstanding record of accomplishment over its 26-year history, having mobilized over 6600 volunteers to build 143 homes, 82 classrooms, 24 community centers, 10 youth and daycare centers, 13 aqueducts, 398 latrines and 4 bridges, among the various project categories they engage in. This past spring, B3 worked throughout Nicaragua, but in past years has worked with communities to build much needed projects in Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Peru, and Tobago. Each year, B3 contributes over 20,000 hours of service in benefit of communities in need.
“I’m really excited we’re going to the Dominican Republic in my senior year – I’ve only heard great things about past trips there,” said Molly Baker, class of 2018 at Fairfield Ludlowe High School. The Dominican Republic will be her fourth year with B3. “I initially got involved before my freshman year had even started and I’m so thankful I did. Though I didn’t really know the people on my team, everyone made me feel welcome right away – it’s just what you do when you’re a ‘Builder’.”
Enrollment is open for the 2017/2018 program year. Dates for the Dominican Republic trip align with school vacations: February 17-25, March 10-17, and April 7-15. For more information or to attend an Information Session at the B3 office, visit BuildersBeyondBorders.org, email at info@buildersbeyondborders.org or call at (203) 847-5220.
ABOUT BUILDERS BEYOND BORDERS:
Builders Beyond Borders (B3) is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization that builds character, responsibility and leadership by engaging high school students in local and global community service.
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