Caroline Fredey ‘25
Guest Writer
In January 2010, Britney Gengel, a 19-year-old college student from Rutland, MA, set out on a service trip to Haiti over her college break. Britney never came home. She was killed in the magnitude 7 earthquake, along with more than 300,000 other people.
Britney’s parents, Len and Cherylann Gengel, created the organization, “Be Like Brit” in her honor, fulfilling her dream to help the children of Haiti. Currently, Brit’s Home in Haiti houses 69 Children, some of whom are a part of the first generation of children, others who are a part of the second generation. At Brit’s Home, children are provided with all the resources they need to thrive: food, clean water, education, community, and so much more.
After Brit’s Home had been established in Haiti, the “Britsionary” program came to life. This was an opportunity for others to go on a service trip to Haiti, and contribute to the community there. Father James Hayes, S.J. ‘72 heard about this, and knew he wanted to make this a possibility at Holy Cross. He made this service trip happen five times; four with students and once with alumni. Among one of the students on his mission trips to Haiti was Kate Griffin ‘18.
Both Father Hayes and Kate Griffin reflected back on how their involvement with the Be Like Brit mission impacted them, and how this mission is so closely related to the Holy Cross mission. One of the pillars of the “Aspire” plan at Holy Cross is titled In and Of Worcester. This program aims to connect Holy Cross to the Worcester community and promote the growth and success of the city. Holy Cross’ past connection to Be Like Brit is a perfect demonstration of this bond between the college and the community. Father Hayes explains how one of these goals is to be in solidarity with people in the margins. While Be Like Brit’s headquarters are in Worcester, supporting the organization is also a form of international solidarity with Haiti, one of the poorest countries in the western hemisphere. One of the four apostolic preferences is commitment to the marginalized, and Fr. Hayes has found that what the Gengel family has created is an amazing way to connect with one of the most marginalized communities, and give back in numerous meaningful ways.
Kate Griffin shared her experience on her mission trip to Haiti, that she went on while at Holy Cross. While she was shocked at the level of poverty, she described the “sunny, bright environment” that still blossomed in the community, and welcomed her. The sustainability that she witnessed Be Like Brit provide to the children was amazing, whether it was the houses that were built, or food, or water supply.
To conclude the interviews with both Father Hayes and Kate, I asked them both what Being Like Brit means to them. Their responses were a great testament to how meaningful Be Like Brit is. Kate shared that to her, being like Brit is having an open heart and welcoming people wherever they are in life. Brit’s spirit was always about loving people.
“It means, one, getting out of your comfort zone, and two, seeing a need and responding to it, and reaching out to people in the margins,” Father Hayes shared. He reflected on Brit’s last text to her mother, which read, “They love us so much and everyone is so happy. They love what they have and they work so hard to get nowhere, yet they are all so appreciative. I want to move here and start an orphanage myself.” Helping those on the margins brings and spreads positivity and joy, and that is a major part of the legacy Brit has left.
While Be Like Brit continues to do amazing things, tremendous obstacles have emerged that disrupt what aid and solidarity look like. The aftermath of Covid, and the present dangerous political climate where gangs dominate Haiti, means that service trips and even shipping goods are impossible. Inspired by a project for my senior seminar “Seeking Justice” with Professor Sterk Barrett, I visited Be Like Brit on Pullman St. and talked with Cherylann Gengel, Brit’s mom. I wanted to find out in this 15th anniversary year of the earthquake and Be Like Brit, what their challenges are, and perhaps how to reconnect HC and this tremendous organization. The threads of our mission are so obviously connected through hope and building leaders rooted in a mission of service and justice.
One of the most important parts of Be Like Brit is spreading the story. Like their website says perfectly, their “experience is proof that you can find meaning and purpose in tragedy, that faith and love are everlasting, and that one person’s dream can change the destiny of thousands.” So if you hadn’t heard of her, I am honored to introduce you through this article to Britney Gengel. I hope you will check out Be Like Brit online too, and read about the children of Haiti at Brit’s Home. And as a community, continue to ask the question, “how can we help?”
Learn More:
Visit: www.belikebrit.org
Have you read about the pillars of ASPIRE, Holy Cross’ strategic plan? Visit: www.holycross.edu/about-holy-cross/leadership/aspire
Featured image courtesy of The Be Like Brit Foundation
Copy Edited by Charlotte Collins ’26
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