BPP Member News (4/7)

PCFF 2023 to premiere 'People of the Crossing' documentary. People of the Crossing: The Jews of El Paso will have its world premiere at this year’s El Paso Community Foundation Plaza Classic Film Festival. The one-hour documentary by California filmmaker Isaac Artenstein will be shown at 1 pm Sunday, July 23 in the Plaza Theatre. El Paso Matters founder Robert Moore will interview Artenstein on stage after the film. A free public reception will follow from 2:30 to 4 pm that day in the Foundation Room, 333 N. Oregon. People of the Crossing is a multi-layered portrait of El Paso’s Jewish community as told through family stories that explore the culture, customs, and history of this important gateway between continents, people, and languages. We learn from descendants of 19th century Jewish pioneers, current community leaders, artists, and historians about the uniqueness of Jewish El Paso, with its multicultural congregations made up of... (read more)

Assistant professor of Nursing elected to national Board of Directors. Cristina Dominguez De Quezada, Ph.D., has been elected to the Board of Directors for the National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN). She will serve a two-year term, from 2023-2025. Dominguez De Quezada, a first-generation Mexican-American and a native of the El Paso-Juárez community, has been an assistant professor in the College of Nursing since 2021. She earned a master’s degree in nursing at UTEP as well as a bachelor’s degree in nursing from New Mexico State University and a doctoral degree in nursing from The University of Texas at Tyler. In her research, she has focused on reducing health disparities commonly seen in the Hispanic community by addressing language incongruence between health care providers and patients living along the U.S.–Mexico border. “Dr. Dominguez De Quezada’s election… (read more)

Reaching out to Venezuelans. By Morgan Smith. Congratulations to the New Mexican for its editorial, Biden Needs A New Strategy for Venezuela. It would be an enormous accomplishment if he could bring enough international pressure on Venezuela’s brutal dictator, Nicolas Maduro to restore dignity and prosperity. Venezuela is a potentially rich country. The 2022 BP Statistical Review of World Energy estimated that it had 304 billion barrels of proven oil reserves, the largest of any country in the world. ( Saudi Arabia was second with 298 billion barrels and the US had 69.) Despite these riches the country is in crisis both economically and in terms of democracy to the extent that 7 million Venezuelans have fled. That is 25% of the country’s total population. It would be the rough equivalent of... (read more)

San Diego Foundation enables access to college for 1,000+ students with record-breaking $4m in scholarships. Since 1997, the Community Scholarship Program has awarded more than $49 million to more than 13,000 college students from San Diego, making our program the largest non-university scholarship provider in San Diego County. San Diego Foundation announced today that it has awarded a record-breaking $4 million in scholarships to 1,010 local college students to expand access and opportunity to students, many of whom are the first in their families to attend college and from low-middle income communities historically under-represented in higher education. “San Diego Foundation is supporting more local college students than ever in pursuing their dreams of higher education,” said Mark Stuart, President & CEO, San Diego Foundation. “Most of the students in our Community Scholarship Program are from... (read more)

Nonprofit Board Fundamentals. Santa Fe Community Foundation is now accepting applications for this program through Friday, August 11, 2023 at 5:00 pm. Do you have the knowledge, support, and peer connections you need to make your board service as gratifying as it can be? This Fall 2023 program is designed specifically for current nonprofit board members. Over the course of six sessions, our goal is to provide an overview of the nonprofit sector and its structure as well as support, knowledge, and skill-building around the fundamentals of board participation. The program includes guest speakers from the community to address the day-to-day details and real-life responsibilities of board service.

Next steps for immigration. By Morgan Smith. The time is flying by in terms of border and immigration issues and there is much to be done but are we ready – either in Mexico or the United States? Or will the frenzy of upcoming election years in both countries make progress impossible? In Mexico, President Andrés Manual López Obrador (AMLO) is more than half way through his six year term. Claudia Sheinbaum has resigned her position as the mayor of Mexico City in order to run for president in 2024 as a member of AMLO’s party, Morena, is the favorite at the moment and would be the first woman president. Marcelo Ebrard has now resigned his position as foreign minister. Also a member of Morena, he will be a tough opponent for Sheinbaum. Their focus will be the economy, improving a wretched health care system, and dealing with... (read more)

“From the proverbial mountaintop to the valley of the shadow of death in an instant”: Ten days of migrant ministry with Sr. Norma Pimentel. Sr. Norma Pimentel, M.J., CEO of Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley in Texas and a speaker at the 2023 Ignatian Family Teach-in for Justice, is a modern prophetic voice uplifting the rights and dignity of migrants on the U.S.-Mexico border. Ten days of her recent ministry highlight both the triumphs and the difficulties involved in ministry to migrants. On April 26, 2023, Sr. Norma Pimentel was honored by Pope Francis at the Vatican as she joined a delegation of Catholic Extension to highlight the role of women in the Church. The Holy Father praised her “for her service to the many men, women, and... (read more)

LatAm in focus: Empowering North American goals. In collaboration with the U.S.-Mexico Foundation, USMF’s Enrique Perret interviews AS/COA’s Susan Segal about how to achieve North American objectives. In a world struggling with geopolitical uncertainty, how can North America offer a secure environment and economic stability? In this episode, conducted in collaboration with the U.S.-Mexico Foundation (USMF), we explore the answer to this question and more. USMF Managing Director Enrique Perret interviews AS/COA CEO and President Susan Segal about how Canada, Mexico, and the United States can build on 30 years of free-trade ties to drive exponential trade growth through nearshoring. “We have to think about it in terms of... (read more)

Mision de Caridad (MdC) is about to hit their 4th anniversary serving displaced women and children at the San Luis Rio Colorado border in Sonora, Mexico. MdC has a 501c3 in the US and is a Civil Association in Mexico and as a bi-national organization, leaders from both countries have come together to help govern and provide the resources needed for Mision de Caridad to provide life-changing programs at the border. MdC built and runs a community center named Casa Esperanza that is focused on providing humanitarian aid to address immediate needs while empowering and educating families to build healthy lives of purpose that lead to self-reliant communities. Over the past four years, MdC has seen a dramatic impact in the community as displaced families have begun to build a support network and are on their way toward self-reliance. Learn more about MdC here.

Edward James Olmos to appear at 16 th Plaza Classic Film Festival. Tony, Emmy, and Academy Award nominated actor Edward James Olmos will be at the 16th annual El Paso Community Foundation Plaza Classic Film Festival this coming July. The festival will be through July 20-30 and take place at the Plaza Theatre located in Downtown El Paso. The El Paso Community Foundation says Olmos will be interviewed on Friday, July 28 at 7 p.m. before 1988’s Stand and Deliver and Saturday, July 29 at 1 p.m. before 1982’s The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez. Olmos earned a Tony Award nomination for his portrayal of El Pachuco in Luis Valdez’s Zoot Suit. He also received a Golden Globe for his characterization of real-life educator Jaime Escalante in Stand and Deliver. Olmos has also starred in Blade Runner, Selena, American Me, My Family/Mi Familia, and Walking with Herb which was filmed in Las Cruces. Olmos has also... (read more)

NADBank announces students who will form the first class of NADBank University Ambassadors. In accordance with the terms of the notice, a total of 31 students were selected. Students from 29 U.S. and Mexican universities responded to the call. San Antonio, Texas – The North American Development Bank (NADBank) is pleased to announce that the first class of undergraduate students has been selected to serve as NADBank University Ambassadors from July 1 to December 31, 2023. The list of the students selected has been published on its website. NADBank published a notice in April calling on students enrolled in institutions of higher learning in the United States and Mexico to apply to the program, in order to create a hub for dialogue and interaction with the student community, as well as to broaden their... (leer más)

NAU committed to advancing border health and global partnerships. Organized in partnership with NAU’s Center for Health Equity Research (CHER) and the Regional Center for Border Health, Inc. (RCBH), The Arizona Biomedical Research Centre (ABRC) has once again ignited the spirit of collaboration and innovation through its fifth annual Yuma ABRC forum. This year’s workshop brought together experts, researchers and educators to explore pressing topics in border health and discuss how research can be turned into actionable solutions. With a particular emphasis on educational partnerships with Mexican universities and cross-border credentialing, the forum aimed to foster academic connections and promote positive change in individuals, institutions and the region. A lineup of distinguished speakers took the stage to share their... (read more)

San Diego Fundraising Conference: A fundraising conference for nonprofit professionals. Don’t miss San Diego’s first-ever fundraising conference developed just for you. On September 8, we’re “raising the tide” for our nonprofit sector with a full day of learning. San Diego Foundation is committed to delivering world-class philanthropy and supporting our nonprofit community. The San Diego Fundraising Conference will take place Friday, September 8 at Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hotel downtown. This professional development opportunity brings national experts and nonprofit fundraising professionals together for a day of learning and camaraderie.

What North America’s ‘ally-shoring’ means for immigration, trade. In a new era of immigration and trade, the 2023 State of the West Symposium at Stanford addressed how geopolitics could tighten ties between U.S., Mexico and Canada. Carlos González Gutiérrez, a senior Mexican diplomat, traveled from San Diego to the border with Mexico earlier this month. What he saw there reminded him of how much immigration has changed and how quickly. The migrants waiting to cross into the United States came from 80 countries — evidence that the diaspora at the U.S.-Mexico border has become an international one. There are other new developments, González Gutiérrez told an audience of government and business leaders and academics who gathered at Stanford on May 19 for the 2023 State of the West Symposium. The annual... (read more)

Jorge Astiazarán named new Board Chair of the Tijuana Red Cross Board of Directors. Last Friday, May 26, Dr. Andrés Smith Favela concluded his term as Board Chair for the 2016-2023 period, handing over his position to Jorge Aztiazarán Orcí, former mayor of Tijuana. At the ceremony, Dr. Andrés Smith Favela was recognized by the Mexican Red Cross National Headquarters with the Henry Dunant Medal, which was presented by José Rubén Monges, for his outstanding contribution to the Institution's humanitarian action. During his presentation, Dr. Andrés Smith shared the achievements and partnerships made possible thanks to the support and effort of the staff, as well as the completion of the 4 stages of the modernization and growth of the new emergency hospital. “Alfonso Gamboa Núñez”, which included the opening of new… (read more – in Spanish)

BPP Board and staff congratulate Dr. Andrés Smith for his extraordinary leadership and commitment to the health and well-being of our binational community!

Registration is officially open for Philanthropy Southwest´s 75th Annual Conference: Unwavering Heart, Continued Legacy. October 17-20 at the Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa near Austin, TX. The premier funder learning event in the southwest will celebrate Philanthropy Southwest’s legacy and future. Philanthropy Southwest is an organization born out of a desire to connect and drive impact in the region - knowing we can do more together than we can individually. Space is limited so reserve your spot today! The event is expected to sell out this year, so be sure and let your colleagues know registration is now open

Ending Title 42. By Morgan Smith. “Where are all the migrants?” we asked as we toured Juárez, Anapra, El Paso and Sunland Park on May 10 and 11. Our first stop was the Sacred Heart church on Oregon Street but it was locked and there were far fewer people on the streets than when I had last visited on April 28. Then we crossed into Juárez and went to the site of the deadly fire that killed 40 migrants on March 27 where we spoke to a 16 year old girl named Ana who had made the arduous journey from Venezuela with her father and her younger sister, Fatima, age 12. They left Venezuela eight months ago, crossed the very dangerous Darien Gap, traveled with a small group instead of hiring a “coyote” because that would have been too expensive. They had spent two months in the Mexican government’s Kiki Romero shelter in Juárez, a former... (read more)

Environment report: EPA maps reveal flood impact from border wall. Even under modest flooding, if the border wall fails to open during rain, downtown Tijuana could be underwater. There’s so much sand and silt buildup where the Tijuana River empties into the United States that a kind of invisible dam already exists and average rain can flood the valley. Now add a border wall across that river where trash, tires and other debris could pile against dozens of steel gates beneath a 30-foot bridge that are supposed to open when it rains. Now imagine a big storm caused an electrical failure and the gates are blocked with trash and won’t open. Where does the river go? In this worst-case scenario, the river backs up against the wall, breaches its levees and overhead flood waters consume most of Tijuana’s Zona Norte and into downtown, lapping against the... (read more)

Opinion: Philanthropic gifts that have a lasting community impact follow these three lessons. While the Burnham family is not the first to deploy its resources to benefit our region, with this gift it has made a bold statement. Philanthropy plays a crucial role in advancing communities. From public health and social services to education and the arts, philanthropy contributes to and influences our world. Philanthropy can be nimble, deploy resources, incentivize collaboration and mobilize for urgent needs in a way the public and private sector cannot. Simply stated, the role of philanthropy is to benefit others. Or as local philanthropist Malin Burnham likes to put it: “Community before self. ”Last month, the Burnham Center for Community Advancement announced a gift from our founder Malin Burnham and his wife, Roberta, of... (read more)

UTEP and TTUHSC El Paso launch MedFuture partnership to train El Paso’s next generation of physicians. New pathway program admits exceptional local and first-generation college students to the undergraduate pre-med program at UTEP and medical degree program at the TTUHSC El Paso Foster School of Medicine directly from high school. The University of Texas at El Paso and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso today unveiled MedFuture, a joint initiative that will create a pathway for very highly qualified students in our Borderplex to be admitted to attend college and medical school in their hometown of El Paso right out of high school. “UTEP has a very strong pre-med program,” said Heather Wilson, UTEP President. “It makes sense for UTEP and TTUHSC El Paso to work together to... (read more)

Mexican Consulate General assists in the launch of ‘Trino’s World’ at Comic-Con Museum. The exhibit is a testament to the enduring power of art to bring people together and foster understanding between cultures. The Comic-Con Museum in San Diego will open an exhibit called “Trino’s World” to celebrate the work of Mexican cartoonist José Trinidad Camacho, also known as Trino. The exhibit will feature drawings, watercolors, sketches, and objects from Trino’s personal collection, offering a glimpse into his creative universe. Trino has received numerous awards, including the National Prize for Journalism in Political Cartoons in 2000 and the Inkpot Award at Comic-Con in 2022. He has published more than 20 books with his comic strips and drawings, and is considered an icon of Mexican popular culture. The exhibit is a... (read more)

Mott Foundation intends to grant up to $15 million to support direct payments to Flint mothers during pregnancy and first year of a child’s life. Challenge grant seeks to catalyze additional funds for $55 million Rx Kids initiative. The Charles Stewart Mott Foundation intends to grant up to $15 million over three years to Michigan State University to support the launch of Rx Kids, an innovative initiative to provide direct cash payments to mothers in Flint during pregnancy and throughout the first year of a child’s life. The program is led by Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha at the MSU College of Human Medicine. Through Rx Kids, families will be “prescribed” a total of $7,500 in cash. This will include a one-time $1,500 payment to expectant mothers in midpregnancy, followed by... (read more)

Mexico’s consul general in San Diego nominated to lead Los Angeles’ consulate. Mexico’s Foreign Ministry announced appointments to several consulates abroad, including the L.A. move for Carlos González Gutiérrez. Mexico’s consul general in San Diego, Carlos González Gutiérrez, has been nominated to lead the Mexican consulate in Los Angeles, the Mexican Foreign Ministry announced. The appointment has yet to be ratified by the Mexican Senate. González Gutiérrez, who arrived in San Diego in 2019, said he was honored by the nomination made by Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador and the Mexican Foreign Secretary, Marcelo Ebrard. He will be replaced in San Diego by Alicia Kerber, who also was nominated by... (read more)

Piñon Awards nominations open. Nominations for the 37th Annual Piñon Awards are open through Friday, May 12, 2023. Four winning nonprofits will be honored at our award ceremony in the fall and receive an unrestricted grant. Since 1987, the Santa Fe Community Foundation has selected and awarded the Piñon Awards to local nonprofit organizations that have made extraordinary contributions to the community. First held in a board member’s living room, the Piñon Awards ceremony has become a fall tradition filling the La Fonda ballroom with awardees, supporters, and friends of the Foundation. Submit a brief nomination letter (two-page maximum) that includes: A brief description of the nonprofit organization's overall mission, services, or programs; reasons for nominating the organization, and up to one additional attachment (program, flyer, newsletter, etc.).

The Plaza Classic Film Festival is now accepting submissions for this year's Local Flavor showcase and awards. The El Paso Community Foundation’s Plaza Classic Film Festival is accepting submissions for its Local Flavor showcase of locally made and connected films. This year’s edition includes a new panel of judges and a total of $3,500 in cash prizes. Local Flavor is open to short and feature-length films of various types. Works-in-progress will not be accepted. Projects must have been completed on or after January 1, 2022 and must be made locally, set locally, or have a connection of some kind to the El Paso-Juarez-Las Cruces area, which should be noted in the entry in the synopsis window. Entries selected for Local Flavor will be announced in July and screened during the festival. The showcase will culminate with the sixth annual Local Flavor Awards, which will award... (read more)

Philanthropy Southwest welcomes two new team members: Mallory Driggers, Ph.D. and Eric Wynn, Ph.D. Mallory is stepping into the role of Executive Vice President and brings 13 years of development experience in higher education. Most recently she served as Vice President of Development & Investor Relations for The Borderplex Alliance in El Paso, TX. She is a native of El Paso and will be based there. Eric joins PSW as our Director of Learning and brings several years of experience in school teaching, management, curriculum, and instruction development. For the past 4 years, he has served as the Dean of Scholars for Uplift Education in Dallas, TX. Originally from Ohio, Eric has been in Dallas for the past five years. Click here to see their full profile.

Paso del Norte Health Foundation, Community Foundation work for region. Much like the work we do, papel picado ‒ the inspiration for our 2022 annual reports ‒ embodies skill, beauty, creativity and challenge. Its intricate designs echo the complexity of our missions. Its color and creativity represent the diversity, vibrance, talent, commitment, and generosity of those we serve in our binational, tri-state region. Together, the Paso del Norte Health Foundation and Paso del Norte Community Foundation awarded a combined $33.7 million in grants and charitable expenses in 2022, bringing total grantmaking since inception in 1995 to $324.6 million, ending the year with a combined $300.4 million in assets. The Fundación Paso del Norte mobilized an additional... (read more)

‘All the doors are closed to Afghans’: from fall of Kabul to limbo in Mexico. When the Taliban stormed Kabul, Wali Modaqiq, 54, began calling every American, Briton and European with whom he had worked on environmental projects, pleading for help to evacuate him and his family. “The message I received back was: ‘You’re not our direct employee, so we cannot help you,’” he said. “But I brought them in, I took them around, I helped them work in Afghanistan.” He says environmental activism with foreign conservationists had made him an enemy of the Taliban. Working through back channels and every contact he had, Modaqiq and his family fled to Iran and then Turkey, where in March last year he caught a flight to an unlikely destination: Mexico City.“I’m really grateful to... (read more)

Rancho Feliz Charitable Foundation's "Missing Migrant" Museum is a must see. In addition to the magnificent Luis Sotero murals & hundreds of migrant trail photographs & items found in the harsh deserts, the "Dream Bottles" tell there own unique story (printed below). Agua Prieta's Yadira Camacho Villa paints the bottles with compelling border scenes. These unique pieces of art can be purchase on-site at the La Hacienda "Tiendita" (Little Store). “Dream Bottles.” There were 2.76 million border apprehensions in 2022. Most had traveled for hundreds of miles. They had a dream.The rate is $8,000 or more to get here. Often entire villages underwrite this cost. Once one makes it across the money wired home can fund the next and so on. Remittances from the U.S.A. are Mexico’s largest source of foreign income. In the green jungles of their native countries the crossers think it will be an easy 5 or 6 hour... (read more)

Nonprofit Conference: Reimagine! May 3 , 2023. The Paso del Norte Community Foundation announces the third annual Nonprofit Conference: Reimagine! Recognizing the need to build capacity of nonprofit organizations in the region, the conference provides access to high-level thought leadership and skill-building. The conference is designed for nonprofit executive leadership, staff, and board members, to come together to think, develop, network, and grow. The conference will take place on May 3rd and features diverse programming by sought-after nonprofit professionals, philanthropists, corporate leaders and partners. Don't miss this thoughtfully-curated professional development opportunity!

Paso del Norte Economic Indicator Review. Job growth keeps rising: Non-farm employment in February 2023 for the Paso del Norte region exceeded that of February 2022. In a month-over-month comparison, however, the outlook is mixed. Bankruptcies on the rise in El Paso County: El Paso recorded higher bankruptcies in the first three months of 2023 than it had in the same period of 2022. El Paso’s Sales Tax Collections Continue to Rise in 2023: Sales tax collections increased in 2023 Q1 indicating growth in consumer spending which may be influenced by inflationary pressures. View report by the Hunt Institute for Global Competitiveness.

Binational Resilience Initiative - 2023 Grant: Advancing the resiliency of the region between San Diego County and Baja California Norte coastal communities. Together, San Diego Foundation, the International Community Foundation, Resilient Cities Catalyst and the San Diego Regional Climate Collaborative are committed to expanding the impact of the Binational Resilience Initiative (BRI) in the region. For the BRI 2023 Grant, we are seeking to support projects that help build the resiliency of the Cali-Baja region. We will award funding to nonprofit organizations in Mexico or the U.S. that are working to: Expand binational climate collaboration, advance coastal resilience from an integrated, regional approach, provide capacity-building support to organizations working to increase our communities’ coastal resilience.

FBI Director speaks about current threats to U.S. at Bush School. The head of the FBI spent time in College Station Wednesday night. Director Christopher Wray met with about 700 students and community leaders at the Bush School of Government and Public Service to discuss the importance of service and current events. Wray says he expects hostile nations to become even more aggressive in their efforts to threaten our nation. “Front and center is that expanded thread from China. And as I’ve said before, there is no doubt that the greatest long-term threat to our nation’s ideas, our economic security, and our national security, is that posed by the Chinese Communist government,” Wray said. On Wednesday, April 12, the Director of the CIA will be speaking at the Annenberg Presidential Conference Center.

Engage America 2023: The U.S. - Mexico Cross Border Sewage Crisis. The U.S. - Mexico Cross Border Sewage Crisis. The San Diego World Affairs Council presents the Engage America 2023 Panel Series: The U.S. - Mexico Cross Border Sewage Crisis featuring Distinguished Speakers: Kevin Cassidy, Serge Dedina, Margarita Diaz, David Gibson, Chris Helmer, Richard Kiy & Carl Nettleton. Begin your Earth Day 2023 festivities by coming by or logging in to this special event hosted in downtown San Diego at U.C. San Diego's Park and Market to learn more about the Tijuana River sewage crisis and learn how environmental, transborder issues are handled and resolved. The top rate panel of speakers represents environmental advocates, business leaders, and governmental interests.

The deadly fire in Juárez. By Morgan Smith. We stopped on the crowded street by the building where these terrible and very unnecessary deaths occurred and a young man from Venezuela came up to our car to say that his cousin had been among those killed. He looked stunned, in disbelief. We were unable to talk at length; there was too much traffic circling around us and, more important, I didn’t know what to ask. It seemed too intrusive. Several questions have to be answered, however. First, how could those who were in charge have walked away without opening the cell doors and letting the detainees out to safety? The video that we can now see makes it clear that these guards were initially in no danger from the fire. Second, Mexico’s... (read more)

Pilot program deterring illegal border crossings in cars, Mexican officials say. The Mexican Consulate in San Diego is reporting that a 5-month-old pilot program at the San Ysidro Port of Entry has decreased incursions by migrants in vehicles onto U.S. soil by 60 percent. Back in November, Mexican officers on the local, state and federal levels were deployed to the south side of the port of entry to screen passenger vehicles as they approached the border crossing. According to the Mexican Consulate in San Diego, the plan was put in place to deter migrants, mostly Russians, from trying to get into the U.S. while being driven on what are called “SENTRI and Ready Lanes” used by pre-screened border commuters. The Smart Border Coalition and other groups have said long border waits... (read more)

NADBank is calling on all U.S. and Mexico undergraduate students to be part of the first class of NADBank University Ambassadors. Calling on undergraduate students enrolled in public or private universities or other institutions of higher learning in the United States or Mexico to serve as NADBank University Ambassadors, class of 2023 to create a communication hub, as well as to recognize outstanding students and broaden their academic work, in particular in the areas of the environment, sustainability, finance and international relations. As a NADBank University Ambassador you will: Enhance your leadership and academic development, be part of a dynamic space for discussion, cooperation and interaction between NADBank, the student community and... (read more)

Author-journalist Maria Hinojosa headlines Texas Book Festival events. The El Paso Community Foundation and the Texas Book Festival are hosting events featuring journalist Maria Hinojosa on March 24 and children’s book author-illustrators Zeke Peña and Raúl the Third on March 25. These will be the first Texas Book Festival events held in El Paso. Trailblazing Mexican-American author and journalist Hinojosa, anchor and executive producer of public radio’s Latino USA, will appear for a book signing at 4 p.m. and Q&A at 5 p.m. Friday, March 24 at the Philanthropy Theatre inside the Plaza Theatre Performing Arts Centre. Hinojosa will sign copies of her memoir, Once I Was You: A Memoir of Love and Hate in a Torn America. Robert Moore, founder and CEO of El Paso Matters, will lead the Q&A.

CNP Capstone travels to Mexico to meet international artisan clients. The 2022-23 International Social Innovation Partnership Capstone, led by the Center for Nonprofits & Philanthropy Director Dr. Will Brown, recently had the opportunity to travel to Oaxaca, Mexico to meet with their two clients, Vida Nueva and DAVA. During their trip, the Bush School capstone students learned about the history and culture of the Zapotecans of the Oaxaca region and the unique circumstances in which both of their clients operate. To better understand their clients, the students visited their clients’ homes to learn more about their missions, personal backgrounds, and goals for building a... (read more)

This Juárez nonprofit uses sports to deter youth from violence. Escuelas de Bienestar, or wellness schools, teaches educators on how to use play to help children develop life skills and end cycles of violence. With its high rates of drug cartel deaths and femicide, the Mexican border city of Ciudad Juárez has often been described as one of the most violent cities in the world – if not the single most dangerous city. “When you speak about Juárez, you have to speak about violence,” says Luis Mendoza, who has been living in the city – just a few miles from El Paso, Texas – his whole life. “We have to think about where the roots of the violence are and where we can prevent violent behaviors and situations from happening in the future,” adds Mendoza, who serves as the chief operating officer at the Júarez nonprofit Fundación Paso Del Norte (FPDN). “So you really have to work with youth and... (read more)

Laredo Area Community Foundation is now accepting applications for the 2023 Jefferson Awards. Every year The Laredo Morning Times partners with the Laredo Area Community Foundation to present the LACF Volunteer Award Banquet, which honors the spirit of volunteerism in Laredo. The evening’s festivities are highlighted by the individual recognition of the Volunteers of the Year nominated by their non-profit organizations. The banquet, underwritten by International Bank of Commerce, features a seated dinner and open bar. Through the generous sponsorship of the Laredo Morning Times, the recipient of the Jefferson Award will have the opportunity to represent Laredo-Webb County at the National Jefferson Awards Ceremony, where (s)he will be honored along with hundreds of other Jefferson Award winners from across the country.

Nonprofit Conference: Reimagine! The Paso del Norte Community Foundation is pleased to announce the third annual Nonprofit Conference: Reimagine! Recognizing the need to build capacity of nonprofit organizations in the region, the conference provides access to high-level thought leadership and skill-building. The conference is designed for nonprofit executive leadership, staff, and board members, to come together to think, develop, network, and grow. The conference will take place on May 3rd and features diverse programming by sought-after nonprofit professionals, philanthropists, corporate leaders and partners. Complete agenda to be announced!

Pimentel: The U.S. does not have open borders. Commentary delivered by Sister Norma Pimentel, executive director of Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley, at a monthly meeting of the Voces Unidos Health Working Group. Thank you. Thank you so much. I appreciate your invitation. And I hope I can fill you in as to how things are with the immigrants and refugees. Okay, so right now, given the different policies that have been set out by the (Biden) Administration, the numbers of people… just, really quickly, I would say that the Administration has not made any changes to open the border. And so for the most part, as we all may know, the border is closed. Even though you may hear in the news that we have an open border policy. Most politicians, like our governor, will say that the border is open, but it’s not. Actually, the procedure that the... (read more)

San Antonio Area Foundation Nonprofit Management Certificate Program. Taught by subject matter experts, this program covers an array of essential topics for the nonprofit leader: board governance, development, leadership, organizational health, financial oversight, volunteer management and social media. This 36-contact hour program can be completed in just under two months and culminates in a certificate of completion. New this year – access to a community board to facilitate peer learning and resource sharing between sessions. Interested in a specific topic? Prefer not to sign-up for the entire program? You can enroll in individual classes, too. This certificate program is open to all staff members, board members and volunteers who want to learn more about managing a nonprofit as well as for those

Mitigare Cuidados Paliativos, A.C. was founded in 2016 as the first non-hospital; hospice/palliative care program in Mexico. In 2019 Mitigare hosted the first Symposium for Hospice/Palliative Care in Mexico in San Miguel de Allende. The three-day Symposium had over 400 attendees from across Mexico and Latin America. Plans are to resume the Symposium again in late 2023 or 2024. In 2020 Mitigare received a $120,000 USD grant to fund operating costs. This grant coupled with other smaller grants over the past two years by the Sharon Kent Fund at the Community Foundation of Southern Arizona, San Miguel Community Foundation and Rotary have provided funds for operations. In 2022 Mitigare received a grant commitment of up to $250,000 USD from the Foundation for Hospice Care to be used as a match to build an in-patient facility and training space. In 2020 Mitigare received approval for its proposal to have qualified patients in the new in-patient facility to be able to receive US Medicare reimbursement for Hospice care. This is a first in Mexico. In November of 2022 the City of San Miguel held an awards ceremony to acknowledge the contributions of the 80 NGO’s that operate in the City. Mitigare was awarded the best health care NGO, and our Executive Director and Medical Director was awarded the NGO Activist of the Year, and the former President of our board and founding board member was awarded the Philanthropist of the Year. Read more about Mitigare here.

Grant development and proposal writing certificates. Securing funding for nonprofit organizations can be extremely competitive. Nonprofits need compelling proposals to receive the grants they need to achieve their missions. Whether you are a student or working professional, you will benefit from instruction by an experienced grant writer with real-world experience as they guide you through the step-by-step processes for a state and foundation proposal. The overall strategic plan for writing grants will be addressed, including the needs statement, mission, goals, objectives, evaluation, key personnel, outcomes and budgets. During this seven-week certification program, offered by the ASU Lodestar Center's Nonprofit Management, the knowledge specialist will use interactive exercises, lectures, and discussions to demonstrate how to research and write your specific project. Click here for program information.

U.S. – Mexico Border 2025 Program selects environmental projects for implementation in the border region in Texas, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Tamaulipas and Nuevo León. Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in coordination with the North American Development Bank (NADBank), announced the funding for 11 projects totaling $791,225 to be implemented along the U.S.-Mexico border states of Texas, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Tamaulipas and Nuevo León. These projects are funded under the U.S.-Mexico Border 2025 program, whose mission is to protect the environment and public health for residents along the U.S.-Mexico border region. The projects meet the objectives of the program: reduce air pollution; improve water quality; promote sustainable materials management... (read more)

Medical care in Mexico. By Morgan Smith. Medical care is in increasingly short supply. In 2020 the Association of American Medical Colleges predicted that the US would be short between 54,100 and 139,000 doctors by 2033. Here in New Mexico, we have lost 700 primary care doctors between 2017 and 2021 and are 334 doctors below the national benchmark. This is bad news but it could be worse. We could be like the area on the west side of Juárez where I work with a number of humanitarian groups and where medical care is almost non-existent. What can be done? Here are several innovative approaches. Siguiendo los Pasos de Jesus (SPJ) is an El Paso-based NGO that is mostly known for building houses in this area. Founded 24 years ago by the dynamic Jane Fuller, also known as... (read more)

The Center for Nonprofits & Philanthropy at the Bush School announces Leadership In Board Service Program. Do you currently serve on a nonprofit Board? Are you looking to professionalize your nonprofit Board of directors? Join the Center for Nonprofits & Philanthropy at the Bush School next week (2/28) for our Leadership in Board Service program. Led by Dr. Will Brown and Dr. Angela Seaworth, ACFRE, this program will ensure your board and leadership teams take away research-informed and practice-proven tools to serve your organization better. Click here for more information.

Fordham hosts lecture on migration at the U.S.-Mexico Border. On Feb. 7, Campus Ministry held a Common Grounds conversation titled, “Current Realities of Migrants and Asylum Seekers.” The event included a panel featuring Joanna Williams, executive director of the Kino Border Initiative; Power Malu, executive director of Artists, Athletes and Activists; and Adama Bah, a Guinean-born immigration reform activist. On the topic of the border, the group consensus was made clear by Williams: “The approach to the border since the 1990s has been ‘if we can make people suffer more, then they won’t come to the U.S.’” The Kino Border Initiative, which she has been working at for... (read more)

More Mexicans are dying in their attempts to reach San Diego from Tijuana. More Mexican nationals are dying along the U.S.-Mexico border between the San Diego and Tijuana regions in their attempt to enter the U.S. than in previous years, according to new data from the Mexican Consulate in San Diego. From October 2021 through September 2022, at least 46 Mexican nationals died in their attempt to cross the border between the two regions. That’s up from 34 in the previous twelve months and 11 in the year before that. The data from the consulate runs from October to September, aligning with the federal fiscal year. Dehydration, drownings and border wall-related fatalities all account for the increases in deaths. The majority of injuries documented were related to... (read more)

Mexico plans natural gas pipeline connecting Sonora and Baja California to meet rising demand. Another major natural gas pipeline is slated for Mexico, this one for the Northwestern part of the country and the states of Sonora and Baja California. On Monday, Mexican utility Comisión Federal de Electricidad (CFE) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Carso Energy and Sempra Infrastructure. Carso Energy is a subsidiary of Grupo Carso, a Mexican infrastructure firm run by billionaire Carlos Slim. Sempra Infrastructure is a subsidiary of San Diego-based Sempra. The companies filed a joint statement explaining that the pipeline would principally be used to fuel CFE natural gas power plants. It would also “help the development of the... (read more)

Center for Healthy Nonprofits: Achieving Your Career Goals. The Center for Healthy Nonprofits is excited to announce that applications are now being accepted for Achieving Your Nonprofit Career Goals. This series is for nonprofit professionals who report to a nonprofit ED or CEO and/or aspire to be in senior leadership roles in the sector, possibly serving as an ED or CEO in the future. This program is open to all levels, including those early in their careers or in entry-level positions. This program consists of seven two-hour sessions primarily offered over Zoom, with the first and last sessions taking place in-person at the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona Campus.

San Diego Foundation receives historic, transformative $100M gift. San Diego Foundation announced today that it has received a historic, transformative unrestricted $100 million cash gift from the estate of local entrepreneur Jay Kahn, the largest-ever gift of its kind to a San Diego nonprofit. “Jay Kahn was a compassionate man who loved San Diego and wished for his legacy and estate to be used for the good of San Diego,” said Mark Stuart, President & CEO of San Diego Foundation. “We had no existing relationship with Jay until we learned that he believed San Diego Foundation would achieve his goal and honor his wishes. We are humbled by this incredible generosity and we will honor Jay by continuing to inspire enduring philanthropy and enable community solutions to improve the quality of life in the San Diego region.” The first grants from Kahn’s gift, which is the third-largest gift of its kind to a U.S. community foundation, include $150,000 unrestricted grants to 10... (read more)

Ron Pulliam selected as 2023 Buddy Amos Founders Award recipient. The Community Foundation for Southern Arizona is pleased to announce that Ron Pulliam, founder of Borderlands Restoration Network in Patagonia, Arizona, has been selected as the recipient of the 2023 Buddy Amos Founders Award. The Buddy Amos Founders Award was established in 2015 in honor of George H. “Buddy” Amos, Jr., a CFSA founder, for his vision and ability to inspire community action and generosity. The award recognizes nonprofit founders who have demonstrated inspirational leadership in community service, philanthropy, mentoring, collaboration, or systems change that reaches beyond their organization. The Borderlands Restoration Network (BRN) began as an idea around a kitchen table and has since grown to include the 1800-acre Borderlands Wildlife Preserve which is open to the public, a large-scale... (read more)

See also: The Consulate General of Mexico urges Mexican nationals not to cross U.S.-Mexico border illegally

'There are many paths': Some NFL players find efficient ways to give back. Robert Ashcraft, the executive director of the ASU Lodestar Center, was a featured expert in an Arizona Republic series on NFL players and their philanthropic efforts. The extraordinary success of the Justin J. Watt Foundation, founded in 2010 to provide athletics equipment and opportunities to middle school students, wouldn’t have been possible without “a lot of help from a lot of good people,” J.J. Watt said, and a heaping helping of humility. The 2017 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year knew he wanted to launch a nonprofit before he was drafted by the Houston Texans in 2011. He turned to the Law and Entrepreneurship Clinic at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. “I knew for a fact that I wasn’t smart enough to do it on my own,” Watt told The USA TODAY Network, “and I wanted to make sure we... (read more)

UTEP faculty members named to list of world’s top researchers. 20 UTEP faculty included in ranking of most widely cited researchers. Twenty current and past UTEP faculty members are included in the latest Stanford-Elsevier ranking of the world’s most cited researchers and those who are among the top 2% within their specialty areas. That is an increase from the 16 UTEP researchers who made the original ranking in 2020. “We see this as further evidence of UTEP’s growing stature nationally and internationally as a research institution of the highest level,” said Roberto Osegueda, Ph.D., UTEP vice president for research. “My sincere congratulations to the UTEP researchers who made the list.” The ranking method is a based on standardized citation metrics developed by... (read more)

Reviewing border coverage uncovers risks of ‘both sides’ reporting on right-wing extremists. Reporting on infrastructure along the southwestern U.S. border won two Emmys for San Diego’s KPBS and the nonprofit newsroom inewsource. It also left misgivings about the pitfalls of using a “both sides” framing to cover right-wing extremism. In 2017, KPBS’ Jean Guerrero and Leonardo Castañeda of inewsource were in the process of a months-long investigation into life along the border. Guerrero was an immigration reporter, while Castañeda was a data journalist. Their investigative series “America’s Wall” was the result of a collaboration between their outlets. It featured both in-depth document and data analysis of public records about the... (read more)

Joaquin Luken Named San Diego-Tijuana Smart Border Coalition Executive Director. Cross-border executive brings extensive experience on binational issues. The Board of Directors of the San Diego-Tijuana Smart Border Coalition (SBC) is pleased to announce Joaquin Luken as the organization's next Executive Director. "It is a great privilege to lead the Smart Border Coalition," said Luken. "At a time of great change in local, regional, state, national, and international economies, governments, and society, cross-border leadership is more imperative than ever to finding opportunities for continued prosperity in our region." Luken was selected after a thorough search committee selection process led by binational business leaders Hank Morton, Steve Williams, José "Pepe" Larroque, Eduardo "Lalo" Acosta, and Elias Laniado. "Joaquin has a deep understanding of the U.S.-Mexico border region," said Steve Williams, who co-chaired the SBC selection committee. "His connection to... (read more)

2023 Global Border Summit to Feature Rt Hon Gordon Brown, Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom as Keynote Speaker. Join The Borderplex Alliance for their 2023 Global Border Summit, formerly known as the U.S. - Mexico Border Summit on February 23, 2023. The summit will feature a full day of panels, presentations, and roundtable discussions. MC: Kathrin Berg, VP, El Paso Community Foundation. A limited number of sponsorship opportunities and table reservations are still available. Tickets to the public are on sale now. Panel Sessions will be held at the The Plaza Hotel Pioneer Park; Keynote Lunch at Hotel Paso Del Norte, Autograph Collection in El Paso, TX.

Philanthropy Southwest announces Annual Conference call for sessions. Philanthropy Southwest (PSW) invites proposals for sessions at their 75th Annual Conference, October 17-20, 2023 in Austin, TX. The call for sessions is open until 5:00 PM Central Time, Saturday, February 18, 2023. The Call for Sessions is open to all grant making organizations, both PSW member and nonmember funders. An organization or individual may submit a maximum of two proposals. All proposals submitted by different individuals from within the same organization count toward that maximum. This year’s conference will focus on the following six tracks: Ethics in Grant making, Finance, Governance & Law, Grant making Practice Areas.

Latino students and parents to learn about college and how to pay for it. The event is called “A Step to Your Future,” and it’s geared toward Latino high school students and their parents. The goal of this fair is to guide first-generation college students through the process of enrolling and filling out their financial aid applications, said Carlos González Gutiérrez, Mexico’s Consul General in San Diego. The Consulate General of Mexico in San Diego is partnering with Alianza MX, the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC), the California Student Opportunity and others to sponsor and facilitate the workshop. “This is the first time the Mexican Consulate organizes a university fair,” said González. “We want to make sure everybody, regardless of their nationality or migratory status, knows what... (read more)

UTEP graduate students from Mexico earn prestigious scholarships. A group of doctoral students were awarded a prestigious scholarship from Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (CONACYT), or the Mexican National Council of Science and Technology, an agency that supports Mexican citizens pursuing graduate studies abroad. Awardees receive tuition support, a monthly stipend and financial support for health insurance while they are pursuing their studies. Nineteen UTEP students submitted applications, the highest number of any school in The University of Texas System. With 16 awards granted, UTEP received approximately half of the 33 total awards granted across the System. CONACYT granted a total of 280 awards around the world for doctoral studies in science and humanities. “The number of... (read more)

El Paso’s community of philanthropy continues to have meaningful impact: Mica Short. The Paso del Norte Community Foundation (PdNCF) is looking forward to 2023 and celebrating its 10th year of service to the El Paso community. It truly is awe-inspiring to think of the impact that has been made since the foundation was established in 2013. This year, we've been blessed to work with many generous donors, and passionate community members whose designated funds make a difference in our community. This past spring, we welcomed nonprofit leaders and volunteers to our nonprofit conference after having hosted the conference virtually last year. The energy in the room was electrifying, as so many nonprofit leaders reconnected after a couple of years of intense work pivoting service delivery models and responding to crisis situations throughout the pandemic. These same nonprofit leaders worked hard this past fall to... (read more)

The migrant crisis. By Morgan Smith. Since my very impressive September 13 trip with the Customs and Border Patrol (CBP), I have been to the Juárez area seven times to observe how migrants seeking asylum are being processed. It has been a grim experience that has gotten more and more politicized and less fair and humane. On September 13, I was able to observe how efficiently the CBP processed a sudden influx of Venezuelans. Then in early October, Title 42 was invoked and Venezuelans seeking asylum didn’t dare cross the Rio Grande from Juárez to El Paso, Texas for fear of being immediately detained and then deported, often from another border crossing. I saw the tent city on the Juárez side grow from about 400 migrants on October 28 to roughly 1,500 on November 3. Then Mexican officials tore down the tent city and scattered the migrants. Who knows where they went because shelters like La Casa del Migrante and Respettrans were... (read more)

Mexico will ask the U.S. for a $48 billion USD investment in solar energy projects. Ebrard said the request will be presented to Biden at the upcoming Jan. 9-10 meeting of U.S., Canadian and Mexican leaders in Mexico City. Mexico hopes to build solar energy parks in the northern border state of Sonora, along with power transmission lines. Mexico hopes to receive some of the funding from the North American Development Bank, or NADBank. The bank funds green development projects, but has never provided financing on anything near the scale Mexico is requesting. Mexico also may get some of the funding between now and 2030 by issuing debt bonds. The solar parks are to be run by Mexico’s state-owned utility, which has been involved in... (read more)

San Diego and Tijuana: a vanishing border? Whenever I travel from Mexico City to my hometown of San Diego, I always fly through the Tijuana International Airport. I take advantage of something that few travelers know: it extends to the U.S. side of the border. It is built right against the border wall and a sealed bridge travels up and over the physical fence, allowing quick and affordable travel between San Diego and Mexico. I’m sharing this for a few reasons. First, it’s a massive travel hack. If you’re traveling between Southern California and Mexico, it almost always saves you money (it’s a domestic flight within Mexico) and time, thanks to highly expedited customs and immigration cooperation. And with the surging cost of air travel, the savings add up. Secondly, the Tijuana airport connects to… (read more)

Faith-based groups on border unfazed by lawmakers’ call to investigate them. When four Republican congressmen accused Catholic Charities USA of violating federal law by providing food, clothing and shelter to migrants on the U.S.-Mexico border, the organization quickly fired back, calling the allegations “incredibly disturbing,” “fallacious and factually inaccurate.” Instead of endangering people, as the lawmakers suggested in a Dec. 14 letter that accuses Catholic Charities USA of “aiding and abetting illegal immigrants,” the humanitarian work “is mandated by the gospel” and saves lives by caring for “vulnerable people on the move,” a statement issued by the organization declared. Anthony Granado, the vice president for government relations for Catholic Charities USA, said... (read more)

Woody and Gayle Hunt Family Foundation donates $25 million to UTEP. The University of Texas at El Paso announced today the naming of its college of business administration as the Woody L. Hunt College of Business, along with a $25 million gift — the largest in the university’s history — from the Woody and Gayle Hunt Family Foundation. The University of Texas at El Paso announced today the naming of its college of business administration as the Woody L. Hunt College of Business. The University of Texas at El Paso announced the naming of its college of business administration as the Woody L. Hunt College of Business, along with a $25 million gift — the largest in the university’s history — from the Woody and Gayle Hunt Family Foundation. The contribution will fund... (read more)

ACF's Board of Directors shares important announcement regarding the next President & CEO of the Arizona Community Foundation. Anna Maria Chávez will join ACF as President & CEO in February 2023 following a national executive search process conducted by Carlson Beck and the ACF CEO Search Committee. Anna Maria Chávez is an executive leader, attorney, inspirational speaker, writer, and community advocate. She has dedicated her career to advocating for others, especially underserved communities. In her most recent role, she served as the inaugural Chief Impact Officer for Encantos, an EdTech and Public Benefit Corporation where she was responsible for creating the Encantos Social Impact Foundation and led the organization’s philanthropic, education, publishing, and digital business. “I am deeply honored to serve as the next President and CEO of the Arizona Community Foundation,” said Chávez. “ACF is in a strong... (read more)

Sisters at our best: Cookies and cardboard tables at the US-Mexico border. When I first connected with this group of sisters, I knew there would be good chemistry among them. Before the Zoom meeting even started, the sisters were already greeting each other, asking questions and finding ways they were connected, friends they had in common. At our best, this is what we Catholic sisters do: We build relationships and welcome. We celebrate our shared humanity. This group of women who initially met via Zoom this fall would become our first official cohort for the Catholic Sisters Walking with Migrants program at the Kino Border Initiative. They came from four different congregations and had a variety of ministerial backgrounds, including teaching, administration, pastoral ministry and nonprofit work. Several of them had ministered in Central or South America, which became clear as they almost seamlessly embraced a new... (read more)

5th annual International US-Mexico 10K run returns in December. The 5th annual of the International U.S.-Mexico 10K will happen in December after three years. The event will take place December 10 at 8 a.m. The run is the only US-Mexico border run that draws more than 1,000 runners from both countries. The race starts at theEl Paso Community Foundation on Oregon Street in Downtown El Paso. It treks by Southwest University Park (home of the El Paso Chihuahuas baseball team and Locomotives soccer team), the San Jacinto Plaza, runners will pass by many of the city’s beloved murals, the Consulate General of Mexico then runs through Segundo Barrio, and crosses over the international boundary line on Stanton Street bridge into Ciudad Juarez. Register for the race here.

University, USMFS awarded $200k to fund solar startups. UTRGV is part of a series of 18 projects the U. S. Department of Energy has funded to promote equity and diversity in clean energy innovation. The $3.6 million – the U.S. DOE’s Inclusive Energy Innovation Prize – awarded to the projects supports teams of entrepreneurs, community organizers, nonprofits and academic institutions working to achieve energy justice in clean energy. The U.S.-Mexico Science Foundation for Science (USMFS) project, in partnership with UTRGV Entrepreneurship and Commercialization Center, UTRGV Commercialization and Innovation Center, I-DREAM4D at UTRGV’s College of Engineering and TMAC, is called the “Solar Utilization and Commercialization Coalition for Energy Efficiency Devices.” The project seeks to bolster the solar manufacturing industry in Texas and support startups in the... (read more)

Rising gender-based violence in Mexico puts women on the move at higher risk, IRC warns. In northern border cities, sexual violence is the main risk perceived by 23% of asylum seekers surveyed by the International Rescue Committee in early 2022. Among women, the proportion of those who considered it to be their main risk was significantly higher, being reported by 60%. Human trafficking was mentioned as the second main risk (14%), followed by domestic and economic violence (13%). Estefani Beltrán del Río, Crossborder Protection Coordinator at the IRC, said: Unfortunately, although the escalation of violence against women and girls in Mexico has reached critical levels, it has been normalized for so long that it is at risk of being invisibilized. A couple of months ago, for instance, it was reported that, of the more than... (read more)

Environmental study released for transborder water pollution mitigation. The Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement, for projects mitigating transborder water pollution between San Diego and Tijuana, recommend a course of action that could reduce the number of days of transborder flow by 76 percent. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission (USIBWC) have released a final environmental impact statement for a set of proposed projects to mitigate transborder water pollution between San Diego and Tijuana. The Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (Final PEIS) chose a preferred direction for the set of proposed projects, which comprise the... (read more)

Agencies in Texas archdiocese assist immigrants, refugees seeking asylum. Casa Juan Diego and Catholic Charities, recuperating from an overflow of Venezuelans seeking asylum from their country’s economic and political spiral this summer, may have to brace themselves for another possible surge this holiday season. A federal judge Nov. 15 blocked Title 42 — a public health rule that has allowed U.S. authorities for health reasons to expel more than 1 million migrants who crossed the U.S.-Mexico border. Before that ruling, the U.S. closed its border Oct. 12 to Venezuelan migrants fleeing an authoritarian government and seeking asylum. The order halting Title 42 handed down by Judge Emmet Sullivan of the U.S. District Court takes effect... (read more)

5th annual International US-Mexico 10K run returns in December. The 5th annual of the International U.S.-Mexico 10K will happen in December after three years. The event will take place December 10 at 8 a.m. The run is the only US-Mexico border run that draws more than 1,000 runners from both countries. The race starts at the El Paso Community Foundation on Oregon Street in Downtown El Paso. It treks by Southwest University Park (home of the El Paso Chihuahuas baseball team and Locomotives soccer team), the San Jacinto Plaza, runners will pass by many of the city’s beloved murals, the Consulate General of Mexico then runs through Segundo Barrio, and crosses over the international boundary line on Stanton Street bridge into Ciudad Juarez. Register for the race here.

Register now for the Nonprofit Operations and Program Impact Certificate. The Nonprofit Operations and Program Impact Certificate is offered by the ASU Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation as a certificate of distinction for individuals who wish to gain additional knowledge and skills in operational leadership, program impact and evaluation, developing volunteers, purposeful communication and more! Course content includes the most highly relevant topics needed to manage the operations of a nonprofit organization, as well as how to design, launch and evaluate effective programs that matter to the community. This is an online certificate program with specified due dates for each discussion question and class assignment as you progress through the individual courses. Instructional staff are available to aid you with subject questions and help guide you through each weekly course module. In addition, a required Zoom session each week provides additional course reinforcement, student-instructor Q&A, and networking for students.

Healing touch at the Border. During my early days at Kino Border Initiative (KBI), I noticed that Ann Marie, a volunteer for two weeks from Washington, D.C., was experiencing neck/shoulder discomfort while chopping vegetables with me and others in the kitchen. I asked if she would like a simple Healing Touch “treatment.” “Yes!” she exclaimed. I shared a simplified version of the method I was trained in. Ann Marie felt heat from my hands and some relief from pain. A few days later, Susie, a volunteer for a month from Nebraska/Ecuador, also wanted Healing Touch for her aching neck and shoulders. She was fine with receiving it at a table near the back of the dining hall where... (read more)

NADBank webinar: The role of NADBank as a green bank. In this NADBank webinar, learn why NADBank is considered a green bank, how the projects it supports have a positive impact on the environment and the quality of life of residents on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border, and the challenges it faces in helping mitigate and adapt to climate change. The speaker is Salvador Lopez, NADBank Chief Environmental Officer. Connect to the live webinar here or watch live through NADBank's youtube channel. NADBank is a binational financial institution established by the Governments of the United States and Mexico to provide financing to support the development and implementation of infrastructure projects, as well as to provide technical and other assistance for projects and actions that preserve, protect or enhance the environment.

Chaos on The Border. By Morgan Smith. Since September 13, I’ve been to the border at Juárez, Mexico five times. Three of those trips have involved what I see as a rapidly deteriorating migrant situation. On September 13, a photographer from Denver and I participated in a two-phase Border Patrol ride-along. The first phase involved the apprehension of three groups of migrants who had crossed illegally via the rugged slopes of Monte Cristo Rey just west of El Paso and Juárez. I was extremely impressed with the professionalism and courtesy of these officers. Their work is much more effective in controlling the order than, for example, the huge nearby wall which is easily scaled. Their role is not only control but also humanitarian. As of September they had conducted 18,897 rescues as compared to 12,833 in the previous fiscal year. One rescue involved… (read more)

BPP Chairman Emeritus Russ Jones works to restore Arizona State Parks Heritage Fund. Russ Jones, Founder and Chairman Emeritus of BPP, recently worked with the Arizona State Legislature to reestablish the Arizona State Parks Heritage Fund. This fund is supporting over 30 outdoor and environmental projects across the State of Arizona to help maintain public open spaces for the enjoyment of the community. The fund has already supported the restoration of historic theaters, churches, homes, and other significant buildings have been stabilized and restored to their original beauty. Grants are currently available with the State Parks and State Historic Office of Preservation for public support. For more information contact mail@azheritage.org

Run Internacional - The U.S. - México 10k. The U.S. - México 10K - 5th Run Internacional is more than a race. The only U.S.- México cross border 10K draws runners from all over the world on a course that winds through the shared downtowns of El Paso and Ciudad Juárez and historical landmarks. The race starts at the El Paso Community Foundation on Oregon Street in Downtown El Paso. It treks by Southwest University Park (home of the El Paso Chihuahuas baseball team and Locomotives soccer team), the San Jacinto Plaza, runners will pass by many of the city’s beloved murals, the Consulate General of Mexico then runs through Segundo Barrio, and crosses over the international boundary line on Stanton Street bridge into Ciudad Juarez. In Juarez, the route passes Juárez’s city hall; the Bullring-Plaza de Toros Alberto Balderas; the Old Customs House, where the first U.S.-Mexico... (read more)

San Diego Foundation, University of San Diego partner on new initiative to increase upward mobility and generational wealth for Black San Diegans with college access for students and neurodivergence training for teachers. San Diego Foundation announced today a new partnership with University of San Diego (USD) and a $1.5 million grant to its School of Leadership and Education Sciences to prepare more Black secondary students for college, fulfill their college financial needs, and create a teaching and learning center focused on supporting neurodivergent students for all San Diego educators. The Black InGenius Initiative (BiGi) at University of San Diego will be a college access and early literacy program annually serving a cohort of 60 Black students starting in fall 2023. Each year, a new 6th grade cohort will be added to the program, with 420... (read more)

Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice Distinguished Lecture Series, The fall of Communism, Russia, and the war in Ukraine: Lech Wałęsa, Nobel Peace Prize winner and former President of Poland. Wednesday, November 16, 6:00 PM. Hosted by the Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice, Lech Wałęsa will discuss current world events, his view of the United States’ role on the global stage, the history of the Solidarity Movement, and his vision for a prosperous future. The lecture will be followed by a Q&A session moderated by the Dean of the Kroc School of Peace Studies, Dr. Patricia Márquez. Lech Wałęsa was the co-founder and leader of the Solidarity movement that led to the first democratic elections in Poland in 1989, the fall of communism in Poland, and helped lead to the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War. Wałęsa was the first democratically elected leader of Poland since 1926 and the first ever Polish leader elected by popular vote.

UTEP breaks fundraising, research, graduation records. The University of Texas at El Paso raised $38.9 million during FY2022 to support scholarships and fellowships, facilities and faculty, UTEP President Heather Wilson announced Wednesday. The announcement was made in her annual Fall Convocation address to the faculty and staff. This is the second consecutive record-setting year for the University’s fundraising efforts. This year’s total represents a nearly 50% increase from last year’s contribution total of $26.9 million. During her speech, Wilson also highlighted several major successes for the University during the past year, including record research activity, the largest freshman class in... (read more)

Border groups propose changes for the I-94 permit for Mexican travelers. Permit is needed to travel beyond 25 miles from the border; groups would like to see that distance extended. What if the I-94 permit wasn’t needed to travel beyond 25 miles from the border? A group of business organizations and regional stakeholders in the San Diego region likes the idea and wants U.S. Customs and Border Protection to agree. Leaders from the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Otay Mesa Chamber of Commerce, the San Ysidro Chamber of Commerce and the Smart Border Coalition recently sent a letter to CBP with the proposal. “We write to urge you to take the lead in the implementation of a pilot program expanding travel opportunities of Mexican citizens into a broader area within... (read more)

EPA celebrates children’s health month, announces grant to study farm worker family health in El Paso. Recently, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a grant to the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center at El Paso to assess the impacts of pesticide use and its health effects on migrant farmworkers and their children along the US/Mexico Border. The study is part of the collaboration between EPA and the Southwest Center for Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit (PEHSU). The announcement kicks off Children’s Health Month, recognized each October. This year EPA is spotlighting the historic resources advancing protection of children’s environmental health. EPA is committed to protecting children at... (read more)

Nonprofit Executive Leadership Certificate. Apply for the Fall 2022 Chase Cohort by October 28. Program runs November 2022-June 2023. This certificate is designed to meet the professional needs of executive directors, senior-level managers and emerging executives of nonprofit and public organizations. The curriculum is designed in a cohort format to promote skill-building and peer networking among seasoned leaders. Upon successful completion of the program, participants will receive a Nonprofit Executive Leadership Certificate from the ASU Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation. The instructional team for this certificate includes current and former CEOs and executive directors of nonprofit organizations, with extensive experience as change-making practitioners in the social sector. A combination of instructional practices and... (read more)

FUMEC celebrates 30 years with initiatives promoting Mexico-EU competitiveness through science and technology. The United States-Mexico Foundation for Science (USMFS) celebrates 30 years as a unique organization, dedicated to promoting science, technology and innovation that are the engines of growth and development in areas where this binational collaboration operated with the support of. In 1992, Congressman George Brown promoted the creation of FUMEC in Mexico and the United States to create an organization for the betterment of both countries through science, technology, and innovation. Over 30 years, FUMEC has collaborated with more than 200 organizations involved in innovation and technological development, including... (read more

‘Denuncia Paisano’, the app to report corruption and extortions of travelers in Mexico by authorities. The Institute of Mexicans Abroad – IME and the Ministry of Public Function have launched the “Paisano Complaint App” and the “I Know My Rights” Card, whose purpose is to ensure that migrant travelers entering Mexico are protected and corruption and extortion at border points can be prevented. The Ministry of Public Administration (SFP) aims to adopt tools to make it easy for nationals or tourist who are entering Mexico to report any type of anomaly, which may consist of border vehicle checks, improper charges for crossing the border or crossing luggage, or impediments to freely transit within the country. The app is... (read more)

Border stories: Opening the door to the kingdom God wants. Note: As we head toward National Migration Week (September 19-25), Sister Tracey Horan, SP, shares from her ministry at the Kino Border Initiative in Nogales, Arizona. There was a tap-tap-tap on my office door. Two Mexican mothers looked at me through the glass door. They asked with a gesture if they could have a minute of my time. It was one of those days where nothing was going the way I had planned. The list of items I had thoroughly written out for my morning kept getting interrupted by people who had questions or wanted to speak with me. I had actually considered working from home to make more progress, but our internet at home wasn’t working. So, there I was, in an office with glass walls. There I was vulnerable to whoever might walk by, spot me and... (read more)

San Diego business leaders meet for the 2022 Cause Conference. For 24 years, the Cause Conference has paired the profit and non-profit sectors together, both working to empower the local business community. Some of the most successful business leaders and philanthropists met at University of San Diego for the 2022 Cause Conference on Thursday. For more than 24 years, the Conference has paired the profit and non-profit sectors together, both working with the goal of empowering the local business community. The event was hosted by CBS 8's Carlo Cechetto and featured a headline list of speakers and panelists. Some of the business leaders scheduled to speak included Donna DeBerry, CEO of the San Diego County Black Chamber of Commerce, and Grant Oliphant CEO of the... (read more)

A morning with the Border Patrol. By Morgan Smith. It’s 6 AM and still dark but the rain has ended as we meet in the parking lot at the Sunland Park, New Mexico Police Department. Our group includes Laurie Smith, a photographer from Denver, me and three Border Patrol agents, Landon Hutchens from Texas who has organized this early morning ride-along plus Carlos Rivera and Orlando Marrero, both of whom were born in Puerto Rico. I’ve been traveling to the border and documenting conditions in the El Paso-Juárez area for the last decade and Laurie grew up in El Paso so we’re not beginners. Nonetheless, neither of us knows what to expect and what we will see. Within five minutes of leaving the Police Station, we suddenly encounter four migrants who had come down the steep, treacherous slopes of Monte Cristo Rey and dashed across the highway in... (read more)

The Border Innovation Challenge is now open. The Border Innovation Challenge is a business plan competition focused on the challenges presented by the US/Mexico international border. This competition focuses on bringing to the spotlight promising solutions and technologies to meet the challenges of the region’s ports of entry, health related problems, and environmental issues that arise along the border. Supported by the Smart Border Coalition, the program is presented through a partnership of UC San Diego's Rady School of Management and the Jacobs School of Engineering, and is open to students, faculty, staff, and recent alumni from universities along the US/Mexico border region. The competition awards cash prizes totaling $15,000 to support new innovative ideas that meet challenges related to wait times, cargo operations, port management, use of current infrastructure, financial impact, air and water pollution, and public health related issues that impact border operations. For more details on the competition and timeline, please check the webpage or email Karen Jensen.

Mexico and US agree to clean up cross-border pollution. Mexico is promising to invest $144 million in an effort to reduce the flow of sewage crossing the border. Government representatives from Mexico and the United States gathered on the edge of the Tijuana River Estuary to sign an unprecedented agreement aimed at fixing the region’s long-running cross-border sewage flows. The pollution problem has been getting worse for years. The situation was punctuated by a major sewer system breakdown over two weeks ago that allowed tens of millions of gallons of untreated sewage to cross the border and reach the ocean. Two major sewage pipes in Tijuana’s Matadero Canyon broke more than two weeks ago. One pipe is fixed and being slowly returned to service. The other might not be... (read more)

Portuguese artist creates mountain lion mural from recycled trash in Downtown El Paso. The special art project is a collaboration between the Green Hope Project, Franklin Mountain Investments and the Paso del Norte Community Foundation. A huge pile of plastic trash over the course of a week was transformed into a colorful, 64-foot-tall mountain lion that seems to peer over traffic along Franklin Street. The mural, created by visiting artist Bordalo II, is on the west wall of the One San Jacinto Plaza building, at the corner of North Mesa and Franklin streets. The artist, originally from Portugal, became interested in experimenting with different materials while taking painting courses at the Faculty of Fine Arts at the University of Lisbon. Bordalo II, who is very expressive from his facial features to his... (read more)

IBWC commissioner demands ‘parity’ with drought relief out West and South Texas. The U.S. Commissioner for the International Boundary and Water Commission says she’s “sounding the alarm” on the seriousness of the drought in South Texas and said Congress unfairly allocated federal funds to help those suffering from drought in the West but not those on the Texas-Mexico border. “I’m really trying to emphasize the urgency of what’s going on in the Rio Grande,” U.S. IBWC Commissioner Maria-Elena Giner said in an exclusive interview with Border Report on Thursday. Giner was a panelist at the NADBank U.S.-Mexico Border Environmental Forum, during which bankers, investors and government leaders from both sides of the border spent two days discussing environmental issues along the 2,000-mile border between the U.S. and Mexico... (read more)

Construction to begin for UTEPs new Advanced Manufacturing and Aerospace Center. Construction is set to begin on the new Advanced Manufacturing and Aerospace Center on UTEP's campus. Congresswoman Veronica Escobar, State Senator César Blanco, UT System Chancellor James B. Milliken and other regional and local leaders will join UTEP President Heather Wilson and other university officials to commemorate the start of construction work. Heather Wilson, the President of UTEP, told CBS4 that this construction will take about two years for the facility to be in use. Many different partners, including the Chancellor of the university and the Texas Regents, provided $80 million of funding for this project. "We’ll have many of our partners who are vital and are helping us secure the funding for... (read more)

BPP honors member Dr. Homero Fuentes de la Peña, Founder of ProOncavi. The Board of Directors and staff of the U.S.-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership congratulate Dr. Homero Fuentes de la Peña, Founder and Board Chair of the Baja California based ProOncavi. Dr. Fuentes was recently honored by the Best of ASCO CDMX 2022 for his leadership and medical expertise in the field of oncology in Mexico and around the globe. This annual medical event was organized by Medical Pharma Research LATAM to discuss important issues raised during the World Congress of American Society of Medical Oncology that meets each year in Chicago, IL. Dr. Fuentes is one of the leading Medical Oncologists in Mexico, and the Spanish speaking world, and is known for his innovative approaches to treating the whole being of his patients. Congratulations to Dr. Homero Fuentes and the entire dedicated team of ProOncavi for your leadership in the fight against cancer.

BPP honors Hank and Elizabeth Sames for the 20th anniversary of SAMES Scholars at Texas A&M International University. The Board of Directors and staff of the U.S.-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership congratulate Hank and Elizabeth Sames who are celebrating an important milestone in Laredo, TX this month. Twenty years ago, Hank and Elizabeth launched a college scholarship fund at Texas A&M International University to encourage first generation students to attend college. The program supports students from all the Laredo Public High School district, and successful students end up attending Texas A&M International University. To date more than 80 students have graduated Texas A&M International University courtesy of Hank and Elizabeth. The Sames Scholars program has invested more than US$1.8 million in scholarships at TAMIU. The Sames Scholars program is housed at the Laredo Area Community Foundation. Hank and Elizabeth are long-time supporters of the BPP, and Elizabeth served on our board and is currently a member of the Emeritus Committee. Congratulations Hank and Elizabeth.

Migrant shelters on the Border. By Morgan Smith. It’s Thursday and we’re at a migrant shelter in Deming, New Mexico, (pop. 23,000) the first of three shelters we’ll visit. These shelters – the one in Deming being implemented by the non-profit Colores United; La Tierra de Oro in Palomas, Mexico; and Respettrans across the international bridge in Juárez - plus La Casa del Migrante in Juárez and Annunciation House in El Paso that I have visited before – these five contain part of the answer to this migration issue. They are largely volunteer-run, cost far less per migrant than the private shelters our government contracts with and offer a level of humanity that doesn’t exist in the government-contracted facilities. In short, they are models for how to treat migrants. Is that enough? We meet Ariana Saludares, the President and Co-founder of Colores United at a motel in... (read more)

Bezos' girlfriend Lauren Sanchez gives $1M to group focused on migrant kids at US-Mexico border. This Is About Humanity said the money would help build education centers. Emmy-winning journalist Lauren Sánchez, vice chair of Bezos Earth Fund, has donated $1 million to This Is About Humanity. This is About Humanity, founded in 2018, is an organization dedicated to raising awareness about separated and reunified families and children at the border. In a news release Thursday, TIAH said it was working in partnership with the International Community Foundation. It said the money would go toward building additional education centers for migrant children called ludotecas and support additional projects focused on mental health, food insecurity and other "essential, enriching... (read more)

Study ranks best, worst states for child well-being: Massachusetts tops list, New Mexico trails. A report released Monday ranks overall children’s well-being by state, accounting for economic, educational, health and community factors. The Annie E. Casey Foundation, a children’s advocacy group, based its rankings on data from 2016 to 2020 – the latest available – capturing the impact of the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. The state rankings, which the nonprofit has released annually for more than three decades, remain much the same in recent years. “This is largely because of the investments that states make in programs related to children,” Leslie Boissiere, a vice president at the foundation, told USA TODAY. “How well-funded the education system is, whether or not [they have] programs such as... (read more)

Foundations in New Mexico offer wildfire relief & resources. The Calf Canyon/Hermits Peak Fire is the largest wildfire in New Mexico's history and currently the largest active wildfire in the U.S. To date, the fires have burned more than 315,000 acres and displaced over 15,000 families. Funding oportunities include the Santa Fe Community Foundation Community Resiliency Fund: 100% of the donations raised will go directly to San Miguel and Mora Counties. Grants will support food and water distribution, emergency shelter, cash assistance, and other critical services. The All Together NM Fund was established in 2020 by the New Mexico Coalition of Community Foundations in conjunction with the Governor’s office to help New Mexico respond to and eventually recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. The Fund has now been reactivated to support wildfire relief and recovery in all counties that have been affected. New Mexico nonprofits are encouraged to apply for funding. Check this page for the latest wildfire relief resources.

Turning El Paso's trash into treasure. Green Hope Project, along with partners at Franklin Mountain Investments (FMI) and the Paso del Norte Community Foundation (PdNCF), is thrilled to announce that world-renowned artist Bordalo II will be coming to El Paso to install a much anticipated 64-foot mountain lion mural on the west wall of the ONE San Jacinto Plaza building in Downtown El Paso this August. This is the first installation for Bordalo II in Texas and there are fewer than fifteen in the United States. “This has been years in the making and we are elated that Bordalo II is finally able to come to El Paso,” said Candace Printz, President of Green Hope Project. “He will actually take our trash and use recycled materials found right here in our desert to create a... (read more)

The Community Foundation for Southern Arizona is looking for an Executive Assistant to support the President & CEO and Board of Trustees. The Executive Assistant must be creative and enjoy working on a collegial team that is purpose-focused, results-driven, and solutions-oriented. As the Executive Assistant, this individual will work closely with the President & CEO to ensure an inclusive workplace, promoting our purpose and shared values. This position manages a wide range of administrative and executive support-related tasks. They serve as a liaison to the President & CEO and Board of Trustees, manage schedules, prepare information, analyze data, and represent the President & CEO to the community. Click here to view the full job description. Click here to view the position guide.

UTEP-TTUHSC El Paso study focuses on Hispanic mental health disparities. Project is first winner of Sobel-Duncan Award, will research Hispanics’ use of mental health services. The research will be supported by the inaugural Sobel-Duncan Award, a grant program run collaboratively by UTEP and TTUHSC El Paso to spur research into health conditions affecting Hispanics. The award recipients are Jason Mallonee, DSW, UTEP assistant professor of social work, and Eden Robles, Ph.D., director of education and research development for the Texas Child Health Access Through Telemedicine (TCHATT) program within the TTUHSC El Paso Department of Psychiatry. Mallonee and Robles jointly received a grant of $40,000. They will be joined by Nancy Ramirez, Psy.D., a TTUHSC El Paso instructor of... (read more)

UTEP to offer scholarships to outstanding Chihuahua students. The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) has renewed an agreement with the state of Chihuahua, Mexico, to provide scholarships to some outstanding young Mexicans to continue their studies at the university. UTEP President Heather Wilson and María Eugenia Campos Galván, Governor of the State of Chihuahua, met on June 10 in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, to sign a memorandum of understanding and formalize the agreement. Eric Cohan, U.S. Consul General in Juarez, and Mauricio Ibarra, Mexican Consul General in El Paso, also attended the signing ceremony. The agreement signals UTEP’s continued recognition of Mexico and the State of Chihuahua as strategic partners in the University’s ongoing efforts to increase access to higher education for... (read more)

Join the The Nonprofit Institute at USD for their 20th Year Anniversary Alumni Celebration. Join the Nonprofit Institute, School of Leadership and Education Sciences, University of San Diego for a night to remember to kick off a celebration of the 20th anniversary of the master’s program in Nonprofit Leadership and Management at the Nonprofit Institute. Reconnect, share stories and expand your network with fellow alumni, faculty and staff! Meet the new Dean, Kimberly White-Smith and learn what some of your colleagues are up to now. In preparation for the 20th anniversary celebration, please share some of your fondest memories, stories, and experiences with The Nonprofit Institute.

Renegade sewage flows still seep across border, but there is progress. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is pushing for a comprehensive solution that includes projects on both sides of the border. The big fix for the region’s border sewage problem remains several years away, but that does not mean sewage will flow unabated until then. Some recent smaller-scale projects are already having an impact on the dry-weather flows coming through the Tijuana River channel. And planning for a large-scale fix continues moving forward. “This is the lined portion of the channel,” Morgan Rogers said as he surveyed the Tijuana River at the border. “That’s where it transitions to the natural,” Rogers said. “This is a good view point: You can see all the sediment that has accumulated. This is from the... (read more)

On US border, Mexican trans social worker offers expert advice. Mexican trans social worker Brigitte Baltazar saw her dreams shattered when she was deported from the United States, where she had fought for 20 years for a better life. Now she has found herself a new role -- helping other migrants to legally cross the border. Baltazar was a 14-year-old boy when she illegally entered the United States, where she labored on farms picking tomatoes, dreaming of studying medicine. She also transitioned from male to female, but she says that in April 2021 her life "turned to waste" when she was expelled to Mexico for not being able to regularize her residence status. Now 35, with her long hair dyed red, Baltazar, from the impoverished southern state of Guerrero, has often faced brutal discrimination and prejudice, but says she has... (read more)

A nonprofit in Tuscon, Arizona, is fighting a new enemy: climate change. NPR's A Martinez talks to Jason De Leon of the Colibrí Center for human rights about climate change heating up the land around the U.S.-Mexico border, making the journey for migrants more hazardous. A MARTINEZ, HOST: Every summer, a Tucson nonprofit called the Colibri Center gets a certain type of call. JASON DE LEON: We answer the phones when families call and say, someone has gone missing. MARTINEZ: The missing are migrants. Their families are calling to figure out if their loved ones survived the dangerous journey from Mexico to Arizona. Jason De Leon leads the center. DE LEON: Many of the human remains that we get - that we find are skeletonized. And so there's no - you know, there's no personal effects. It's just basically bones. MARTINEZ: Because the desert is unforgiving, and climate change is... (read more)

‘A new era:’ Migrants staying longer in Tijuana strain capacity, funding at shelters. Maritza Noemi Machado Velasquez cooks lunch for her two sons outside over an open fire at a migrant shelter in the outskirts of Tijuana. The family whose journey from Honduras was treacherous — they were kidnapped for three months for ransom, she said — is comfortable at the shelter, where they hope to wait until they can ask for asylum in the United States. Machado Velasquez is one of about 1,200 migrants at Templo Embajadores de Jesús, one of Tijuana’s highest-capacity migrant shelters. Pastor Gustavo Banda Aceves converted his church into a shelter in 2016. Banda Aceves and other Tijuanenses have opened up their spaces to house migrants on the way to the U.S. who might otherwise... (read more)

Q & A with Sr. Maria Louise Edwards, rescuing migrants lost at US-Mexico border. Felician Sr. Maria Louise Edwards is vice president of the Aguilas del Desierto (Desert Eagles), a nonprofit that rescues and recovers men, women and children who are lost in the desert or mountains in California or Arizona while trying to cross the border into the United States. In 2021, volunteers of the organization rescued more than 183 people. They also began a yearly prevention campaign to encourage migrants not to cross the border. Based in California, Edwards was in Arizona for a month from October to November to network with church and civic groups working in the border ministry. She joined for the first time Ajo Samaritans to drop off water, food and blankets in remote locations along migrant trails in the Sonoran Desert. Founded in 2012, the Samaritan group offers humanitarian relief to help those crossing the U.S. border survive... (read more)

Migrant shelters on the Border. By Morgan Smith. It’s Thursday, April 28 and we’re at a migrant shelter in Deming, New Mexico, ( pop. 23,000) the first of three shelters we’ll visit today and tomorrow. What happens if Title 42 is lifted or if the Supreme Court allows President Biden to do away with the Remain in Mexico program initiated by President Trump? What will this do to the numbers of migrants coming to our border seeking asylum and what role will these shelters play? The shelters we will visit on this trip - Deming; La Tierra de Oro in Palomas, Mexico just across the border from Columbus, New Mexico; and Respettrans across the international bridge in Juárez - plus La Casa del Migrante in Juárez and Annunciation House in El Paso that I have visited... (read more)

KBI is hiring for a Development Coordinator. The Development Coordinator works closely with the Executive Director, Development Associate and an external consultant to organize and support the internal and external fundraising and donor communications strategies for the Kino Border Initiative. This is an excellent opportunity for someone with administrative skills and experience who would like to grow into a professional fund development role. The Development Coordinator may live and work remotely in Tucson, AZ but will be expected to commute at least two days per week to Nogales. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with a priority deadline of July 1, 2022. Screening interviews will take place in mid–July with final candidate selection expected by mid–August. Full job description found here.

Priest serving migrants along the U.S.-Mexico border reflects on what has changed. Casa del Migrante director talks about the death of Father José Guadalupe Rivas Saldaña, who ran a migrant shelter in Tecate. In Tecate, in Baja California, a Catholic priest who ran a local migrant shelter was found dead on May 17. Father José Guadalupe Rivas Saldaña had been reported missing two days earlier. The Archdiocese of Tijuana said the priest had head injuries and his death was a suspected murder. To date, no arrests have been made. Rivas was pastor of Saint Jude Thaddeus Parish in Tecate. He also ran Casa del Migrante de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, a shelter serving migrants along the U.S.-Mexico border. Father Pat Murphy is director of Casa del Migrante en Tijuana, which has been serving migrants in the region for 35 years. Murphy said the... (read more)

Atlantic Council’s Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center partners with State Department for US-Mexico border study. The Atlantic Council’s Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center today announced a new partnership with the State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), the Hunt Institute for Global Competitiveness at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), and Colegio de la Frontera Norte (COLEF) in Tijuana to enhance security and economic growth in the United States and Mexico. This year-long partnership will include an economic impact study of improved US-Mexico border management practices and tools, among other impact analyses about the security and environmental impacts of these technologies. “As companies look at nearshoring and as global supply chains are being reconfigured to adjust to new commercial and geopolitical realities, the US-Mexico border is... (read more)

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