Experiencing the borderlands first-hand provides the opportunity for real discovery and was the best way I have found to feel confident to engage in conversations ranging from globalization to immigration to social-justice.
Being able to witness, have a guided group reflection and then decide how I wanted to behave with the new knowledge I had acquired, was a life-changing experience. Standing in front of the border wall from both sides, talking to border patrol agents, sharing a meal with migrants who had just been deported or who were about to venture across, or staying with a family who had built their home out of materials they found at the maquilas, all made a lasting impression on me. As the coordinator and participant in two semester-long programs with Borderlinks, I am forever aware of my connection to that not so faraway land; as a consumer, educator, voter, and inter-culturally competent individual.
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- EIN 86-0760505
- info@borderlinks.org
- 520 628 8263
- 620 S 6th Ave Tucson AZ 85701 USA
- www.borderlinks.org
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Nonprofit Overview
Causes: Arts & Culture, Arts Education, Cultural & Ethnic Awareness, Education, International, Promotion of International Understanding
Mission: The reality of life on the borderlands is much more complex and unjust than most people realize. BorderLinks offers experiential learning opportunities that explore the difficulties of migration and life along the U.S./Mexico border. We aim to educate individuals through interactive experiences. BorderLinks raises awareness and inspires action around global political economics, and transforms lives by bringing people together to engage critically and creatively with communities impacted by immigration and border policies in the U.S. and Mexico.
Results: Annually, BorderLinks works with over 600 individuals who learn about border and immigration policies and use their experiences to take action in their own communities and nationwide. We work in solidarity and accompaniment with individuals and organizations impacted by immigration policies and build a deeper understanding of the border situation.
Target demographics: Grassroots migrant justice organizers and the students, seminarians, people of faith, and other citizens wanting to learn about these issues
Direct beneficiaries per year: Over 600 individuals from universities, religious organizations, seminaries, high schools, and civic groups
Geographic areas served: Arizona-Sonora borderlands: Tucson, Douglas, Nogales; Chiapas, Copper Canyon, U.S. nationwide
Programs: BorderLinks currently provides transformational educational programs to over 500 people per year, offering 1-10 day Arizona-Sonora border delegations, extended summer civic engagement programs, community workshops, and programs in Chiapas and other locations. These programs focus on topics such as border history, immigration policies, economics, local organizing and advocacy, and the public discourse about immigration. Participants gain a deeper understanding of border and immigration policies through experiences and presentations with directly-affected people, Participants then engage in focused reflection, plan action, and make connections to communities in the U.S. and Mexico.