The Amos House is a non-profit center that helps people stay on, or get back on their feet in life in many ways.
"They provide classroom and hands-on training which you get certified for OSHA safety, and trying to broaden my career, I thought it would be a great opportunity to be able to help some people and give back to the community," said Jesse Sweetloice of Warwick.
"It was a great idea and an opportunity for me as well. I'm so happy to be here to help Sofia along with the other classmates here," said Yves Sylvain of Providence.
Jesse and Yves were put to work on Sofia Diaz's house on Wednesday after one of her Central Falls High School teachers was worried Sofia was home bound, and unable to come to school because her wheelchair became too big to fit.
Sofia, who is now 17, was born with a spinal condition that prevents her from walking.
Up until last year, she was able to get around.
"I used to go to the store. I used to go to CVS. I used to go to church most of the time," Sofia said.
Former light heavyweight boxer Jarrod Tillinghast, who is now a fitness instructor, is behind the non-profit Fighting For A Chance. He was told about Sofia by his fiancé, another Central Falls teacher, about the problem.
"I want to help kids as much as possible. I know when I was coming up, if I had that guidance in my life, maybe things could have been a lot different. But somehow, someway I landed on my feet. And now it's time. I know all you need is someone to care about you and tell you you're going to be OK and you're going to make it," Tillinghast said.
So on Wednesday, 20 people from four different organizations volunteered to help Sofia.
They expanded the doors in and out of the house so that Sofia was able to get a completely accessible first floor.
"It was just the right thing to do. When Jarrod told me the reason why, I said there's nothing else better than to give someone their freedom," said William Scott of Amos House.
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