Building Hope

Members of the build team celebrate the new home built in a single day near Tecate, Mexico

How a dedicated team of 43 Orange County Rotarians transformed lives through the Corazón house build program.

There's something profoundly moving about witnessing dozens of Rotarians transform an empty concrete slab into a family home in just one day. This is exactly what happened during the San Juan Capistrano Rotary Club's Corazón house build project on March 28, 2025, where the Rotary motto "Service Above Self" came to life in the most tangible way.

The club partners with Corazón, a non-profit organization based in Orange County, to construct homes for deserving families in Northern México. What makes these builds extraordinary isn't just the compressed timeframe—it's the life-changing impact they have on recipient families who have invested hundreds of volunteer hours in their own communities to qualify for this opportunity.

This year's house build took place on March 28, 2025, with a remarkable turnout of 43 Rotarians from various Rotary clubs throughout Orange County. The project, coordinated by John Taylor, brought together volunteers—ranging from experienced contractors like SJC Rotarian Aaron Lansford to first-time builders like Jack Kahler, Mitch Frisch and Steve Cormier—all united by a common purpose: to provide a safe, secure home for a family in need.

The day began early with volunteers meeting boarded the bus that took them to the site near Tecate, Mexico. Upon arrival, they were greeted by stacks of lumber, roofing materials, windows, doors, and paint—all the components needed to construct a 16x20 foot home with traditional stick construction, complete with 2x4 studs, plywood siding, a shingled gable roof, four windows, a front door with a lock, one interior room, a loft, and a kitchen counter.

The construction process follows a remarkably efficient pattern. The concrete foundation, poured in advance, became the stage for a flurry of coordinated activity. Experienced lead builders directed teams as they framed walls on the ground, raised them into place, installed windows, set roof rafters, and constructed the loft—all before lunch.

The family receiving the home, helped by local community members, provided lunch for the volunteers—a simple but meaningful gesture of gratitude and partnership. After lunch, teams led by John Perry and John Taylor installed roofing materials while another built the ladder leading to loft. Other volunteers like Jacki Lansford, Charlie Hulse and Steve Cormier added trim work and completed the painting. By late afternoon what began as separate building materials has transformed into a complete home.

The Corazón house build represents more than just construction—it embodies a philosophy of community and reciprocal benefit. As John Taylor explains, "Families who receive homes through this program must first volunteer hundreds of hours in their own communities. The program doesn't simply provide charity; it fosters self-sufficiency and creates pathways to opportunity.”

In a world often divided by borders and differences, these house builds create meaningful connections between volunteers from the United States and families in México. As volunteers frame walls and raise roofs together, they also build understanding and friendship that transcends geographic boundaries.

For the recipient family, the home represents stability and opportunity. For the volunteers, the experience offers perspective and the profound satisfaction of making a tangible difference in someone's life.

"We welcome volunteers of all skill levels," says Taylor, who coordinated participation for the Orange County Rotary Clubs' house build project. From experienced contractors to those who've never held a hammer, everyone had a role to play. Those with construction experience helped with framing and structural elements, while others assisted with painting and support tasks.

What matters most isn't technical expertise but willingness to serve. As John Perry, a Rotarian from Yorba Linda Sunrise Rotary, who has led the teams for the past 11 years observed, "You arrive as strangers with different backgrounds and skills, but you leave as a team who built something that will change lives for generations."

The San Juan Capistrano Rotary Club, in collaboration with Rotary clubs throughout Orange County, continues a long tradition of service projects both locally and internationally. To learn more about their work or to get involved with future Corazón house builds, visit www.sjcrotary.org.