In many cultures, and especially Dominican culture, the value of family is of the utmost importance.

“There's a huge emphasis on family is the blanket that surrounds every individual in their highs and their lows,” said Thomas Sosa.

For members of the Dominican community in upstate New York, the tragedy of the collapse of the Jet Set nightclub roof, in which more than 220 people were killed, is a reminder of that importance.

What You Need To Know

  • More than 220 people, including at least 17 U.S. citizens died, after the collapse of the Jet Set nightclub roof in the Dominican Republic last week
  • In many cultures, and especially Dominican culture, the value of family is of the utmost importance
  • Dominicans in upstate New York are coming together to mourn and support their family here at home and on the island

“The entire day was heavy with how this was affecting the country as a whole,” Sosa said. “I would say that the floodgates opened in terms of sadness when, toward the evening hours, they nearly confirmed that [Rubby Perez], a famous artist, who defined so much of our childhood, so many of our playlists, that he had passed. And it was upon hearing the near confirmation of his passing that I received a phone call from my mom. My uncles, who both passed away in this tragic incident, had been celebrating together, had been growing up together their entire life.”

The entire community is feeling the weight of the loss on the island.

“The morning that we were finding out about this is all coming up in the news, the Dominican media was releasing names, and one of them happened to be the name of my brothers. So we were just freaking out and calling everybody and they weren't awake yet,” said Daniella Veras.

“People are so worried. Maybe we don't have any family members in the situation, but it's our country, our people, our community,” Damaris Veras said.  

The loss of family, friends and Perez.

“I grew up in this little town on the southern part of the Dominican Republic, it's called Haina, and Rubby Perez, who perished in this event, he was from Haina,” said Eugenio Marlin.

People are coming together to support their family, and their Dominican family, whether blood related or not.

“It wasn't until an incident like this where it is put into practice and any doubt that I had that value that came by way of my familial branch is clear to me that it's a value shared amongst the collective families of the Dominican Republic,” Sosa said.