The New England YMCA Alumni will continue to work this year, our 16th, in partnership with the ACJ (YMCA) of the Dominican Republic by building two or three new homes in the YMCA International Village in Don Gregorio. We have built houses for 26 delighted families in previous years. These are simple concrete block, three room houses with a concrete floor which replace patched together, dirt floor, shacks. The ACJ determines each year who the recipients will be of the new homes. Previously, we also built a simple bathhouse for the village and we will continue to be alert to other manageable improvements in the community.Our goal is to raise the necessary funds, about $20,000 this year, for building materials, the hiring of several local skilled workers, local transportation and on-site lunch for volunteers, etc. We will recruit the volunteers from among our members and their families, Springfield College students, YMCA Camp Woodstock staff and volunteer leaders, and friends. (All volunteers pay their own travel and lodging expenses)You are also asked to consider participating in the construction or in recruiting friends or family members to participate in the village of Don Gregorio, Dominican Republic, May 27 through June 3, 2027. It's a one-week commitment. There are also other duties not requiring physical labor. If interested contact Lou Falk at 860-559-8059 or by email (louf48@aol.com)Managing Committee, YMCA Home Building / Community Development in the Dominican Republic-Nancy Bonnell, Lisa Drouin, Lou Falk, Risa Filkoff, Chuck Goding, Bob Hoffman, Bruce Macdonald, Mike Sherman, Stan Styrczula and Joyce Sypher.