Firefighters Give Kids in Poverty a Fighting Chance

Seattle Firefighters Help Student Achieve Dream of Becoming Doctor

SEATTLE, Dec. 22, 2011—Seattle's firefighters are known for their strong commitment to the local community. But a group of 12 firefighters are having a positive impact far beyond the Emerald City. The Valley Regional Fire Authority firefighters have chosen to improve the life of a university student more than three thousand miles away.

When the Dominican Republic's Juan David Dominguez needed help to finish school and achieve his dream of becoming a doctor, a team of Seattle firefighters worked with Compassion International to provide much-needed support. Reed Astley, Dave Casselman, Jeremy Elliott, Norm Golden, Matt Jung, Troy Kilcup, Matt Kinnee, Dean McAuley, Jeremiah Mushen, Terry Robinson and Janeen Ruge have never met the would-be physician, but were inspired after fellow firefighter Michael Patterson met Juan David in the Dominican Republic on a Compassion International sponsor trip. All of the firefighters know what it is like to have to work hard to achieve their dreams.

Like far too many children in the Dominican Republic, Juan David was born into extreme poverty. Few poor children in the nation have the opportunity to attend high school, much less college. But, thanks to the generosity of Seattle’s 12 firefighters, Juan David has the opportunity to participate in a six-year Leadership Development Program through Compassion International, through which he receives educational and living expense assistance as well as special training in leadership development. He is specializing in pediatric medicine at Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo and looks forward to using his education to help children in his community. His firefighter sponsors plan to attend Juan David's graduation in 2014.

Interview Opportunities: 

• Michael Patterson, local Seattle firefighter and Compassion donor:

  "We were all impressed with Juan David's drive to become a doctor and his inspiring story to never give up. We're honored to play a small part in his accomplishments."

• Mark Hanlon, senior vice president, Compassion International

  "Juan David's story demonstrates exactly why Compassion focuses on child development. With Juan David, we see how providing a university education for one promising young man can change a life, a family, a community and potentially a country. The contribution of these firefighters has made all the difference. They are an exemplary example of how a selfless contribution can impact others in huge ways."

Media Resources:

• B-roll footage of the Valley Fire and Rescue firefighters

• Photos of Juan David and the firefighters are available at 

Compassion has been working since 1970 in the Dominican Republic to release children from poverty. More than 43,400 children participate in Compassion programs in more than 170 child development centers. Committed to tackling barriers to a child’s healthy development - including widespread health epidemics, natural disasters, malnutrition, lack of education and more - Compassion works to bring help and hope to more than 1.2 million sponsored children and their families worldwide.

ABOUT COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL

Compassion International is the world's largest Christian child development organization that permanently releases children from poverty. Founded in 1952, Compassion successfully tackles global poverty one child at a time, serving more than one million children in 26 of the world's poorest countries. Recognizing that poverty is more than a lack of money, Compassion works through local churches to holistically address the individual physical, economic, educational and spiritual needs of children - enabling them to thrive, not just survive. Compassion has been awarded ten consecutive, four-star ratings by Charity Navigator, America's largest charity evaluator.

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