Auto Shop Students from Southeastern Regional Refurbish Vehicle for Single Mother from Haiti

Esclanette Germain, a single mother who came to the U.S. from Haiti in 2024, received a 2009 Acura MDX that was refurbished by students at Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School through the Second Chance Cars program. (Photo Courtesy Southeastern Regional School District)

SOUTH EASTON — Each workday, a 30-year-old single mother from Haiti spends five to six hours using public transportation from her home in Mattapan to bring her toddler to childcare, go to work and come home. That’s not to mention the time it takes her to go to school when class is in session.

Now, thanks to a partnership between a local nonprofit and Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School, Esclanette Germain is saving precious time by driving herself to work, childcare and William James College, as she navigates the challenges of single parenthood while pursuing a career as a community health worker.

Students, teachers, staff and administrators gathered in Southeastern’s auto shop to unveil a 2009 Acura MDX that was refurbished by Automotive Technology and Collision Repair students students in partnership with the nonprofit Second Chance Cars program. After the vehicle was presented to Germain, who moved to the U.S. from Haiti in February 2024, she thanked everyone involved with providing and coordinating the donation, including the nonprofit Horizons for Homeless Children.

“I think having this car will make a big difference in my life,” said Germain, who works at a FedEx facility. “It will help me get to work more easily and have more opportunities.”

This was the first time that Second Chance Cars partnered with Southeastern to refurbish a vehicle and donate it to someone in need. The Concord-based Second Chance Cars has awarded more than 200 cars since its inception in 2019.

Southeastern received the car in poor condition earlier this year, before Automotive Technology and Collision Repair students conducted a comprehensive multi-point inspection to identify all the necessary maintenance work and repairs.

Guided by their teachers, Automotive Technology students completed repairs and replacements of the vehicle’s brakes, suspension, axles, tires and lighting, along with autobody work completed in Southeastern’s Collision Repair Shop. Around 10 sophomore and junior students performed the work, completing the project in about three months.

“They were really excited to do the work because they knew it was going to go to somebody in need and help them better their life,” said Luis Rocha, an automotive teacher at Southeastern. “I’m just super proud of these students.”

The refurbishment of the vehicle was estimated around $2,000 in repairs, in addition to the underlying value of the vehicle itself.

Dan Holin, Executive Director of Second Chance Cars, commended the students, teachers, staff and administrators at Southeastern for being willing to take on the job. Holin explained that his group wouldn’t be able to accomplish its work without volunteer partners like Southeastern.

“We can’t afford to get our cars fixed paying that kind of money to dealerships and garages,” Holin said. “That’s where you come in.”

Holin told the students that many of the recipients of these refurbished vehicles are just living to work, with no time left for fun or for kids. These refurbished vehicles help them spend less time in transit and more time with their families. In other cases, it allows them to increase their work hours to better make ends meet.

“We enter people’s lives at a time where it’s critical for them to be able to fulfill their potential,” said Holin, who called Germain a “hard-working, wonderful person.”

Izzy Carrara, a sophomore in the Automotive Technology program, was proud of the outcome.

“I think helping people and giving back to the community is important, and the school has a lot of opportunities to do that,” said Carrara. “This is a big, important one because you’re giving back to someone in need, and we’re able to help them.”

Superintendent Holly McClanan, Principal Shawn Desmond and Vocational Supervisor Jarrod Lussier commended the students and teachers who participated in this project. They also thanked Second Chance Cars for partnering with the school and Horizons for Homeless Children for providing a fitting recipient.

“We look forward to partnering with Second Chance Cars again in the future,” Vocational Supervisor Lussier said. “This was a great experience for our students and our teachers. We’re glad that they were able to use their skills to contribute to such a worthy cause.”

“This project is a testament to the character of our students, demonstrating what they can accomplish as a team with the guidance of their teachers and the support of our staff,” Principal Desmond said. “We’re proud to see them put their talents to work to make a meaningful difference in someone’s life.”

“We are incredibly proud of our students for their efforts,” said Superintendent McClanan. “Projects like this show the caliber of their work and we look forward to continuing our efforts to support the community while always providing such incredible opportunities for hands-on, experiential learning.”

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Refurbished vehicle donation recipient Esclanette Germain posed for a group picture with students in the auto garage at Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School. (Photo Courtesy Southeastern Regional School District)

Donation recipient Esclanette Germain, front-center, took a group picture with Southeastern students, back row, and Horizons for Homeless Children social worker Michey Wagnac, front-left, and Executive Director of Second Chance Cars Dan Holin, front-right. (Photo Courtesy Southeastern Regional School District)

Vocational Supervisor Jarrod Lussier commended the students and teachers who participated in this charitable vehicle refurbishment project. (Photo Courtesy Southeastern Regional School District)

Executive Director of Second Chance Cars Dan Holin, right, made a video interviewing administrators, staff, teachers and students who supported the vehicle refurbishment project. (Photo Courtesy Southeastern Regional School District)

Refurbished vehicle recipient Esclanette Germain thanked everyone involved with providing and coordinating the donation, including the nonprofit Horizons for Homeless Children. (Photo Courtesy Southeastern Regional School District)

Esclanette Germain received a 2009 Acura MDX that was refurbished by Automotive Technology students at Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School. The vehicle was provided by the nonprofit Second Chance Cars program. (Photo Courtesy Southeastern Regional School District)

From left to right, Executive Director of Second Chance Cars Dan Holin, donation recipient Esclanette Germain and her social worker Michey Wagnac from Horizons for Homeless Children. (Photo Courtesy Southeastern Regional School District)

Executive Director of Second Chance Cars Dan Holin, left, shaked hands with Vocational Supervisor Jarrod Lussier, right. (Photo Courtesy Southeastern Regional School District)

Southeastern students celebrated during the presentation of a refurbished vehicle presented to a single mother in need at the school’s auto shop on Wednesday, Oct. 14. (Photo Courtesy Southeastern Regional School District)

Esclanette Germain was presented a newly refurbished 2009 Acura MDX after work was completed by Automotive Technology students at Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School. (Photo Courtesy Southeastern Regional School District)

Esclanette Germain drove off with a newly refurbished 2009 Acura MDX after work was completed by Automotive Technology students at Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School. (Photo Courtesy Southeastern Regional School District)

Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School is located in Easton, serving students from Brockton, East Bridgewater, Easton, Foxborough, Mansfield, Norton, Sharon and Stoughton. (Photo Courtesy Southeastern Regional School District)