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Viviendas con Corazón (Homes with Heart), the first international Sacred Heart service project, brings together students from Sacred Heart schools in Mexico and the United States for a weekend of service and community. Newton Country Day sent four students, Jojo Jané-Leonardis ‘27, Regan Montague ‘27, Solia Straub ‘28, and Brooklyn Torres ‘29, along with staff member Ms. Abby Woodworth.

Founded over 10 years ago at Colegio Sagrado Corazón in Mexico City, the service project involves teams of students, alumni, teachers, and members of Construyendo A.C., a nonprofit organization that promotes solidarity among volunteers through construction projects that improve the quality of life for Mexican families in greatest need. Each year, participants help build a house in just 48 hours, starting with only the foundation to 80% completion. This year, eight homes were built in the small town of Ocuituco. 

Navigating the language barrier was an additional challenge for the students alongside the strenuous physical work. They had the opportunity to strengthen their Spanish-speaking skills, building their confidence while connecting with fellow volunteers and the local community.

Jané-Leonardis reflected on her decision to go on the trip: “I strongly believe that a fulfilling life is one that is spent around people who live completely different lives than ourselves, geographically, culturally…anything. Viviendas con Corazón was the epitome of stepping outside my comfort zone: language barrier, different culture, no showers or beds, and yet I knew I had something to gain that was more powerful than anything I could ever ‘give.’ I was excited to develop a reciprocal relationship of service with the family we would be building a house for.”  

When asked what she is most grateful for after this experience, Straub said: “The thing that inspired me the most was the family's attitude; even with less than the typical family, they still smiled and made the most with what they had. Seeing how each family member carried themselves with such grace despite the challenges that they go through every day is something that will have an impact on me for the rest of my life.”

At the end of construction, each group took part in a symbolic closing ceremony alongside the family for whom they built the home. During the ceremony, the families received a picture of Mater Admirabilis as a blessing for their new home, along with a prayer written by the group that reflects on their time building together and offers hopes for the family’s future. The trip concluded with a Mass that included the community of Ocuituco, followed by a celebration where families prepared and shared a meal of traditional Mexican food with the volunteers. 

When asked if there was a particular moment that stood out from the trip, Torres reflected, “My group was so excited when we completed the house, and the energy was very positive. It felt like our group had become a family. However, the part that was most significant to me was when we welcomed the family into their new home and prayed together. It showed how people from diverse backgrounds can come together for a single act that changes someone’s entire future.” 

Montague also reflected on this moment: “It was so moving to listen to the family express their deep gratitude to us and to God for completely changing their lives. It was very emotional and made me so grateful that I could play a role in helping to improve their lives.”

NCDS joined fellow Sacred Heart students from Colegio del Sagrado Corazón México in Mexico City; Sagrado Corazón in Guadalajara, Mexico; Colegio Juan de Dios Peza in San Luis Potosí, Mexico; Mater International Institute of the Sacred Heart in Monterrey, Mexico; Academy of the Sacred Heart in New Orleans, Louisiana; Villa Duchesne in St. Louis, Missouri; Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart in Bethesda, Maryland; and Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart in Miami, Florida. Together, these school communities lived out the Sacred Heart Goals, forming connections that extend far beyond the trip, while transforming the lives of families in Ocuituco.