Making Less Fortunate Voices Heard

In 2019 Pablo Puga '19 created Teach Hope Spread Love, a service organization dedicated to helping the homeless. Carlos Pérez-Abreu ‘22 helped the founder get the organization off the ground, but “didn’t think much of it back then,” Pérez-Abreu explained. Once the original creator of the organization graduated, Pérez-Abreu took charge. However, he took charge the same year the COVID-19 pandemic hit so it prevented him from organizing in-person events due to the restrictions at the time. “This was a major setback for what the organization could and couldn’t do in terms of serving the homeless community,” he said.

Throughout high school, Pérez-Abreu developed a passion for broadcast journalism, which gave him the idea to help the homeless during the pandemic by creating awareness through broadcasting. Since the 2020 lockdown, Pérez-Abreu’s main goal has been to maximize a variety of media sites to create awareness for the needs of the homeless and opportunities to help. He said he “connects with other groups of people who want to help the homeless” to create a community of individuals who will work together to alleviate the struggles of the homeless.

When discussing the future of his organization, Pérez-Abreu expressed how he wants to “pass the torch of leading this organization” to younger classmates at Belen Jesuit. He hopes the impact this organization is making will continue long after he graduates. Teach Hope Spread Love not only gives Pérez-Abreu purpose, but also gives hope to some of the city’s most forgotten residents. The organization gives the local homeless community the light of relief and hope.