How you can help

Volunteer activities at the border have been limited for the past year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Now, with the arrival of vaccinations as well as the arrival of new migrants to our side of the border, volunteer help is needed. If interested and available, please see the opportunities available with our partners:

Humanitarian Respite Center, McAllen, TX. https://www.catholiccharitiesrgv.org/HumanitarianRespiteCenter.shtml Migrants are dropped off at the respite center daily and receive help there to figure out transportation to their final destinations. In the meantime, they can shower, eat, get a change of clothing and a place to stay overnight if needed. Help with food preparation, sorting of clothing, child care, as well as other tasks are available to both Spanish-speaking and non-Spanish speaking volunteers. Covid-19 vaccinations are required to work at the respite center. For questions, you can email volunteercoordinator@cdob.org, or submit your application at https://www.catholiccharitiesrgv.org/volunteer.aspx.

Team Brownsville, Brownsville, TX. https://www.teambrownsville.org/ Bilingual (Spanish/English) volunteers are needed who can speak with new arrivals, explaining trip itineraries and legal documents. Volunteers might also be asked to drive and accompany people to the airport to make sure they get through the immigration checkpoint, or to make sure they get on the right bus. A minimum commitment of 3 days for out-of-town volunteers (weekdays preferable) in order to learn and understand the documents is needed. Non-Spanish speakers can help with providing food and supplies, no minimum commitment required. To volunteer, go to volunteer@teambrownsville.org.

La Posada Providencia, San Benito, TX. https://lppshelter.org/ La Posada offers temporary (but usually longer-term than other local shelters) housing to immigrants and refugees. It also offers services such as English classes and life-skills education; adequate local public transportation; and access to social services and healthcare until legal status is resolved. To volunteer, email volunteers@lppshelter.org, or text or call 956-264-3300.

Loaves and Fishes, Harlingen, TX. https://lfrgv.org/ Loaves and Fishes in Harlingen focuses on hunger and homelessness in the Rio Grande Valley. It has also become, when needed, a place where immigrants can be brought by immigration officials to receive a meal and a place to sleep before heading on to their destination. Volunteers help in the kitchen, in the food pantry, and in the office. To volunteer, go to https://lfrgv.org/how-you-can-help/volunteer-opportunities/