Get Involved
The political and economic instability of many Latin American countries have propelled a migration of desperate people northward to the border of the United States. Thousands are in line for an asylum interview, and there are many challenges as they patiently wait for their chance. Several nonprofit organizations are doing profound and tireless work, alleviating suffering and literally saving lives.
Here’s a list of some organizations I support which are engaged in humanitarian work and cultural enrichment. They welcome contributions, donations, volunteers, and the spirit of caring for one another.
Green Valley/Sahuarita Samaritans
Affiliated with Good Shepherd United Church of Christ
In Sahuarita: www.gvs-samaritans.org / gvs.samaritans@gmail.com
In Tucson: www.tucsonsamaritans.org / info@tucsonsamaritans.org
In their own words, their mission is:
To offer humanitarian assistance to migrants in the Arizona-Sonora borderlands. Samaritans believe in respect for human rights, the rendering of humanitarian aid, and one's ethical responsibility to assist those who are suffering.
Click to view/download a short PDF Presentation about the the border and the Samaritans.
Kino Border Initiative
Ivette Fuentes, Director of Development & Outreach: ifuentes@kinoborderinitiative.org
The Kino Border Initiative has offices in Nogales, Arizona and Nogales, Sonora. In their own words:
As a faith-based organization, the KBI strives to respond to the most critical needs by respecting the God-given dignity of the human person and by fostering bi-national solidarity through humanitarian assistance, education and research/advocacy.
Border Community Alliance
www.bordercommunityalliance.org / info@bordercommunityalliance.org
This Tubac, AZ. based non-profit is dedicated to fostering a sense of international community and respectful cooperation, regardless of political or religious views and affiliations, on both sides of the Arizona-Sonora border. Their mission statement:
Border Community Alliance is bridging the border and fostering community through education, collaboration and cultural exchange.
Voices From the Border
https://www.bordervoicesaz.org/voicesfromtheborder / www.facebook.com/VOICESfromtheBORDER
voicesfromtheborder@gmail.com
A Patagonia, AZ. based humanitarian group dedicated to providing aid, support and medical care to migrants, asylum seekers and those living in extreme poverty in Nogales, Sonora, Mexico.
In their own words:
We strive to educate not just those in our local southern Arizona communities, but to also disseminate accurate information about the true experiences of living here in our borderlands region to our national and global community.
No More Deaths/No Más Muertes
No More Deaths is a humanitarian organization based in the Sonoran Desert. They began as a coalition of community and faith groups, dedicated to stopping the deaths of migrants in the desert. Since 2008 they’ve been an official ministry of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Tucson.
In their own words:
The mission of No More Deaths is to end death and suffering in the Mexico–US borderlands through civil initiative: people of conscience working openly and in community to uphold fundamental human rights.
Green Valley Concert Band
Music can bridge cultures in ways that go beyond words, and this exceptional community band is very focused on connecting with the music and culture of Mexico, hosting guest artists from Guaymas, Hermosillo and Nogales. The Green Valley Concert Band has performed in Nogales, Mexico in several concerts, collaborating with the artists and musicians of Mexico. Peg has been an active, timpani-playing member for 12 years. Her belief in the musical talents of Nogales youth has prompted her to collect instruments for a community center known as Deijuven. Located in a Nogales barrio, children are working with music teachers and are creating a mariachi band. Perhaps in the near future, this fledgling mariachi group will perform with the Green Valley Concert Band.
