Newsletter Volume 62, Fall 2025

A Word from Our Executive Director

Dear BCA friends and supporters,

Happy Fall!! Fall for BCA means kicking off our season of educational & cultural exchange opportunities for our members and the public, working towards our steadfast mission of bridging the border and fostering cross-border community.

We hope you enjoy this fall newsletter which highlights the variety of work that the Border Community Alliance (BCA) is involved in every day: From providing a top notch Borderlands Ambassador internship program to supporting our nonprofit partners in Nogales, Sonora to providing unique educational tours and Borderlands Forums on both sides of the border.

We also have been busy over the summer building up the cross-generational leadership of BCA. We have welcomed several new board members from across the country - including two former Borderlands Ambassadors - and a new Office Manager. You have the opportunity to read about them in this newsletter. Please welcome them when you see them at a BCA event!

Thank you for your ongoing support of our work.

In borderlands community,

Celia Bavier

BCA Executive Director

From Summer Interns to

Borderlands Ambassadors

Over six and a half weeks, the 2025 Borderlands Ambassadors journeyed nearly 2,000 miles across Arizona and Sonora, engaging with people, organizations, and communities that make up the rich and complex life of the borderlands. From observing immigration court hearings and visiting migrant shelters to learning about natural building practices, cultural traditions, and creative expressions of healing, the interns experienced the region on both broad and intimate levels. Their service learning placements anchored this work: supporting children and families at Casa de la Misericordia, sharing games and lessons with families in housing provided by Voices from the Border, and creating a promotional video to showcase Deijuven’s vital youth programming. Along the way, they learned to support and challenge one another, leaning into the complexities of “both/and” rather than falling into binary thinking. Together, they discovered not only the vibrance of the borderlands but also the power of collaboration across borders and walls.

2025 Borderlands Ambassadors at the San Xavier Co-op Farm, 

front: Mira, Allie, Julián, back: Haley, Claudia, Creed

After each week during the program, one of the interns reflected on their experiences in a blog post. Below, we share an excerpt from Allie Schlicht’s reflection, which captures both the intensity of the journey and the depth of learning that unfolded. In her final reflection as a 2025 Borderlands Ambassador, Allie shares her experiences exploring the ever-changing US-Mexico border region. From witnessing the resilience of local communities to reflecting on her own identity, Allie offers a thoughtful perspective on the complexities and human stories of the borderlands. 

Experiencing the Ever-Changing Borderlands

By my final week in the borderlands, I felt that I was starting to get a good idea of what is happening around the region right now. In many ways, each new experience on our journey of learning about the borderlands was able to answer a question I had or fill in a gap I hadn’t realized was there. Regarding migration, I understood that seeking asylum from the United States from the Southern border has ended, the Mexican government has increased its military presence to prevent migration northward, and that overall, migration to the southern border has slowed significantly. These were observations I made and learnings from our visits to shelters, organizations, and various support services along the border, and I assumed they might remain this way for quite some time. Yet, as always, the border has more stories to tell.

On Thursday, our final trip as Borderlands Interns, we went out into the desert for a water drop with Di from the Tucson Samaritans. She told us that “The desert is like a jigsaw puzzle where the pieces keep changing.” As we walked to the location where we would leave food and water, we found evidence that, despite all that we had heard about how border crossings had been all but stopped, there were still people, very recently making the journey through the desert to their destinations.

What Di said was true, the desert is always changing, and so are the borderlands. As policies change, climate change worsens, and economic or political situations change, so too does the border region. Each new experience we had added a puzzle piece to the picture of the borderlands we were trying to put together, but it wasn’t until the end that I truly understood how constantly that picture was changing. The actions of individuals, whether artists in Ambos Nogales, educators in the Tohono O’odham Nation, humanitarian aid workers, or asylum seekers, all create the community and place that is the borderlands. The large-scale social, political, and economic decisions have significant impacts on members of this community that we must reflect on and consider.

You can find the rest of Allie’s and all of the 2025 Ambassadors’ blog posts, as well as a recording of their final presentations on our website.

Welcome New Board Members

and Office Staff

We’re excited to share that the BCA family is growing! This season brings the addition of five new board members — including two former Borderlands Ambassadors — as well as a new Office Manager. These new faces bring fresh energy, experience, and commitment to our mission.

Oscar Cardenas - Board Member

Hi everyone! My name is Oscar Cardenas, and I recently graduated from Northwestern University with a degree in Political Science and a minor in Legal Studies. I’m the son of Mexican immigrants, and growing up in a bilingual household taught me the importance of community and connection. Helping my family navigate healthcare and legal systems inspired my passion for advocacy and shaped my long-term goal of practicing law with a focus on equity and access. I was drawn to BCA because its mission reflects both my values and my lived experience on the U.S.– Mexico border. I’m excited to support BCA’s work and connect with others who share a commitment to strengthening our border community.

Connie Counter - Board Member

I became a member of BCA after moving from northwestern Wisconsin to Green Valley at the end of 2017. After retiring from a secretarial career in both the corporate and governmental sectors, I developed an interest in alternative and complementary healing modalities and became a certified Healing Touch practitioner. My first introduction to BCA was a cross-border day trip to Nogales, Sonora. Since then, I’ve enjoyed the wide variety of opportunities BCA provides — from trips and tours, to Let’s Speak Spanish classes, to engaging speaker programs and social gatherings — all of which have enriched my experience of discovering the rich cultural heritage of my new home in the southern Borderlands. I’m excited to serve as a member of the BCA Board and look forward to engaging in opportunities that promote the mission and goals of this wonderful organization.

Tim Dornfeld - Board Member

My name is Tim Dornfeld. I worked in churches and small nonprofits in Minnesota for 40 years and I hope to bring that variety of nonprofit experience to the BCA Board. I spent 15 of those years working at an inner-city Catholic elementary school where about 3/4 of the families were first generation immigrants, mostly from Mexico. I'd been visiting Green Valley for 30 years and now that I am retired, I escape the Minnesota winters with my wife for about six months. When we were invited to a Borderlands Ambassador breakfast and I learned about BCA, it seemed like a natural next step for me to go beyond what I had experienced with immigrant families to promoting cooperation and learning across the border. I look forward to being a part of those efforts as a member of the Board.

Quinn Jones - Board Member

Hi, I’m Quinn! I work as an International Trade Paralegal in Washington, D.C., and I’m also a proud Borderlands Ambassador alumna from the 2022 cohort. I first discovered BCA’s mission while studying abroad in Madrid, Spain, and I was eager to experience life at the U.S.-Mexico border firsthand while continuing to practice my Spanish. My summer in Nogales left a deep impression on me—the strength and resilience of the communities I met there inspired me to center my senior Government research project on border issues. That project, “Shelters or Tents? Exploring Subnational Variation in Community Response at the U.S.-Mexico Border,” earned departmental honors at Hamilton College, where I graduated in 2023 with dual concentrations in Government and Hispanic Studies. After graduation, I returned to Madrid on a Fulbright English Teaching Grant, where I taught in a Spanish high school and worked with the Global Classrooms program to help students engage as active global citizens through Model United Nations. Now, in my current role, I prepare filings for countervailing duty and antidumping cases before the Department of Commerce and the International Trade Commission. I plan to pursue law school in the future with an interest in international and nonprofit law. Outside of work, I love practicing yoga, diving into historical fiction, and volunteering with a local “Know Your Rights” organization. I’m especially excited to join the BCA Board of Directors and give back to the community that shaped me so profoundly and introduced me to lifelong friends.

Anna Schirripa - Board Member

I was born and raised in Tucson, Arizona, and now live in midtown Phoenix with my husband and son. A proud graduate of the University of Arizona, I began my career in corporate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and sustainability, working with a major hospitality group and a national pet retailer. My deep connection to the desert and borderlands comes from my mother’s lifelong humanitarian work, which has shaped my values and commitment to equity and community care. I am honored to contribute my experience and perspective to help strengthen community ties and expand BCA’s reach and impact across the borderlands. It’s a privilege to serve on the BCA board and give back to the region that has shaped who I am. 

Ellie Lindberg - Office Manager

I first started learning about the US-Mexico borderlands as a History student participating in Earlham College’s Border Studies Program in Tucson. Learning about the history of the borderlands and local movements for justice changed my worldview and inspired me to return to the area in 2021. I joined the humanitarian aid group No More Deaths as a volunteer and later as a fundraising coordinator. After my recent move to Nogales, Sonora, I became interested in the collaboration between BCA and non-profits in Sonora. Having personally benefited from a borderlands education program, I am enthusiastic about BCA’s mission to bridge the border through educational events, tours, and internships.

Exploring the Borderlands: BCA Tours & Experiences

BCA is excited to highlight some new and revamped tours, and we warmly invite you to be part of the experience. Due to their popularity this past spring, these tours will return in the coming months.

Behind the Scenes of the Produce Industry

A new tour based in Nogales, AZ provides participants with an insider’s look at the produce industry—the primary economic driver of Santa Cruz County. This new BCA tour is your chance to satisfy all your curiosities about how fruits and vegetables make their way from field to table, and why this matters locally and globally.

We’ll begin with a visit to Borderlands Produce Rescue, a nonprofit dedicated to reducing food waste by rescuing surplus produce that would otherwise end up in landfills, contributing to harmful carbon emissions.

Then, we’ll head to Chamberlain Distributing to meet with Jaime Chamberlain, President of the Port Authority of Nogales and Santa Cruz County. He’ll share insights into the international produce trade, the role of our border port, and how tariffs directly affect us as U.S. consumers.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to connect the dots between local industry, global trade, and sustainability—all in one tour!

The Gastronomy of Nogales, Sonora 

Get ready to savor the rich flavors and culinary heritage of Nogales, Sonora—because the Gastronomy of Nogales tour is returning this fall! This immersive food experience takes you beyond the plate to explore the cultural and historical roots of Sonoran cuisine found in the vibrant culinary traditions of Nogales, as well as the exciting fusion trends emerging in the region today.

Along the way, we’ll meet chefs and food artisans who are keeping these traditions alive and evolving, blending heritage with innovation in delicious ways. Come hungry and curious—this is more than a food tour, it’s a flavorful journey into the heart of borderlands culture.

Tour highlights include stops at a juice bar, an upscale modern fusion restaurant, traditional eateries, and tastings of regional staples like tacos, blue corn tortillas, chicharrón salsas, shrimp cocktail, and flan. Participants will also have the chance to hear firsthand stories from those shaping Nogales’ local food scene. 

Tours and Forums Coordinator Anne Gibson is thrilled to bring this experience back, with plans to offer it every three months, each time featuring a fresh rotation of local eateries. She hopes that participants not only enjoy incredible food but also get to know Nogales as they travel between stops, learn how to navigate the local taxi system, and feel confident returning on their own to share these culinary gems with friends.

Space is limited, and this tour fills up quickly—stay tuned for fall dates and registration details! Information and registration for all BCA events can be found on our webpage under Tours and Programs or by scrolling down to the last section of this newsletter.

Update on Kevin at Casa de la Misericordia

In our last newsletter, we introduced you to Kevin, a young boy from Puebla, Mexico, who lost his leg after a fall from La Bestia. Thanks to a powerful collaboration between community organizations in the U.S. and Mexico, Kevin and his mother were able to relocate to Nogales, where they now live at Casa de la Misericordia.

This summer brought milestones for Kevin. In July, he proudly joined the end-of-school-year celebration, using crutches to walk in the procession and receive his certificate. That same month, he was fitted for a prosthetic at ARSOBO. Today, Kevin continues physical therapy there, and his growing mobility is transforming his daily life and future possibilities.



We extend heartfelt gratitude to BCA donors, whose generous contributions of $1,500 made Kevin’s prosthetic possible. Your support is making a life-changing difference for this young boy.

At the Shop of Dreams: Migrants Build Hope One Ukulele at a Time

Casa De La Misericordia is home to a small group of migrants who are currently in long-term limbo, as the border remains closed to asylum-seekers. Guided by Sister Lika, the staff and residents at Casa have created a self-directed community where adults and children alike can explore, learn, and develop their skills in a warm, safe space that protects their human rights.

One such opportunity is the ukulele workshop, which provides dignified work for adults and teens while teaching the craft of instrument-making. After spending seven weeks at the Arizona border in 2024, working with humanitarian aid groups and meeting countless asylum-seekers, engineer Jim Kesseli felt compelled to act. He describes being unable to “look away,” and wanted to make “a small attempt to make life a little better” for individuals stranded in Mexico. Rooted in his belief that “everyone needs dignified work,” in early 2025, Jim presented a business plan for a workshop that would employ Casa residents, offer skill training, and create a cheerful, productive environment.

The project began this spring with initial instruction from Jim, an amateur luthier, alongside master luthier Alan Caruth. Both men live in New Hampshire but traveled to Nogales to train Rose and Samuel, who now lead a team of dedicated young artisans.

Rose has named the workshop “Taller de Sueños” — the Shop of Dreams. She fled southern Mexico with her two small daughters, believing her own dreams had ended. After days on the streets of Nogales, Casa became her refuge. She recalls kneeling on the ground and praying, “Help me find a way to support my family, a way of hope, a way to a future.” Samuel also fled violence, leaving behind his job as a factory manager in El Salvador to protect his wife and young son. Both longed not only for safety but for meaningful work.



Inside Musica de Misericordia, the workshop space at Casa, tools are neatly organized, and ukuleles sit in various stages of construction. Each instrument presents challenges, but the artisans embrace the problem-solving, working with glue, clamps, presses, and saws. While the first batch of ukuleles was made from kits, the group now crafts them from locally sourced mesquite, a wood deeply tied to the region and the migrant journey, as it is one of the few trees that can withstand the harsh Sonoran Desert. Though its twisted grain can be challenging to work with, Rose, Samuel, and others are meticulously shaping it into gleaming instruments, later painted by community members with images that tell migration stories.

Now familiar with the process from start to finish, Rose and Samuel work six days a week, and they teach the steady flow of interested newcomers, emphasizing accuracy and care with each cut. Each ukulele is an individual work of art. Nothing is easy, but each member of the Casa community is happy to be part of something purposeful that provides joy as the instruments come together and are ready to play, and also builds skills and raises money to sustain their hope for the future.  

Support the Shop of Dreams

🎶 Purchase a handcrafted tenor ukulele made at Casa’s Taller de Sueños. Visit their website or contact Jim Kesseli at 603-828-8692 for details.

💙 Can’t purchase a uke? You can still support Casa de la Misericordia by donating through Border Community Alliance (BCA).

🪚 Also, Jim is looking for U.S. woodworkers to help assemble kits for Casa — he’ll provide all the guidance needed.

Your support helps sustain dignity, skills, and hope for migrant families at Casa.

Read the “Good news” of the border

in the FESAC Bulletin

Our Nogales, Sonora community partner, Fundación del Empresariado Sonorense, A.C. - FESAC, releases newsletters with the "good news" happening in Nogales, Sonora.

We're so impressed with all that FESAC continues to accomplish and honored to partner with them to do social investment work in Nogales, Sonora.



Read their latest newsletter here: https://conta.cc/3EDoWe1

 Upcoming Events & Tours

 To register, click the link in the event description below or call 520-398-3229

Wednesday, November 12, 10 - 11:30am

Borderlands Literature & Film Circle: "Heaven Has a Wall: Religion, Borders, and the Global United States" with Elizabeth Shakman Hurd

Our national conversation about the border has taken a religious turn. When televangelists declare, “Heaven has a wall,” activists shout back, “Jesus was a refugee.” In this book, Hurd argues that Americans share a bipartisan border religion, complete with an array of beliefs and practices, including a reverence for national security, a liturgy for immigration, and an eschatological foreign policy. Through an analysis of the many ways the United States creates, enforces, and ignores borders at home and abroad, Hurd offers a bold new perspective on the ties that bind American religion, politics, and public life. Click to register and receive the Zoom link.

Thursday, November 13, 8:30am - 5pm

Borderlands Day Tour: History of Ranching in Eastern Santa Cruz County  

The landscape of Sonoita-Elgin is very different from the Western side of the Santa Rita Mountains. Rich with lush grasslands, dotted with mature oak trees, and riparian areas, we’ll learn about the history of these rich ranches, starting at the Empire Ranch, now part of the Las Cienegas Conservation Area; then on to the historic Mexican Land Grant of the San Ignacio del Babacomari for a catered lunch and the legacy of that place; and then we’ll travel over the Canelo Pass down into the vast San Rafael Valley where we’ll visit the headwaters of the Santa Cruz River. Tour fee includes transportation from Tubac and lunch: $105/BCA member; $115/non-member. Sponsored in part by grants from the AZ Community Foundation and the Santa Cruz Community Foundation. THIS TOUR IS FULL. Register to join the waitlist.

Wednesday, November 19, 5:30 - 7pm

Borderlands Forum: "Whiskey is for Drinking; Water is for Fighting Over: The Living Legacies of Old Spanish Law and Natural Resources in the American West" with Dr. Michael Brescia.

How are water rights determined in areas that were once part of Spain and Mexico? Why are these old laws, customs, and usages still in effect and still practiced throughout the American West? Disputes over natural resources require navigating thorny historical and legal issues. Spanish colonialism and U.S. expansionism have played defining roles in shaping debates over access and control of natural resources, from water to grazing to minerals. Join us as University of Arizona historian Michael M. Brescia unpacks the complex historical and contemporary issues regarding water rights and natural resource usages across the American West. Free event. $20 suggested donation. Location: The Tin Shed Theater (304 Naugle Ave, Patagonia). Sponsored in part by grants from the AZ Community Foundation and the Santa Cruz Community Foundation. Click to register.

Thursday, November 20, 8:30am - 4:30pm

Cross-Border Day Tour: Gastronomy of Nogales

Join us as we visit and sample specialties from 5 restaurants in Nogales, Sonora. We partnered with the Universidad Vizcaya, Culinary School of Sonora to select a diverse range of eateries. Be prepared to have your senses and your appetites indulged and satiated! We will be guided by Camila Cardenas, top graduating student from the Culinary School. We will learn about the gastronomic evolution of Sonora as we taste our way thru the city. Fee includes transportation from Nogales, AZ, all food and non-alchoholic drinks. Not advised for vegans or strict vegetarians. $125/members; $135/non-members. THIS TOUR IS FULL. Register to join the waitlist.

Wednesday, December 3, 8am - 5pm  

Borderlands Day Tour: From Ranching to Vineyards

Come along as we learn about the evolution of two of southern Arizona’s top economic contributors. We begin at the Santa Fe Ranch, north of Nogales for a fascinating introduction to the real cowboy’s life and work from Dean Fish, Ph.D ranch foreman. Next we travel to the rolling grasslands of Elgin for a catered lunch at Sonoita Vineyards where we’ll learn from 3rd generation viticulturist/vintner, Lori Reynolds, about the history of the wine industry in Arizona and tour her winery. You’ll have the opportunity to sample her wines (at your own expense, $20). Tour fee includes transportation from Tubac and catered lunch: $95/BCA member; $105/non-member. Sponsored in part by grants from the AZ Community Foundation and the Santa Cruz Community Foundation. Click to register.

Tuesday, December 9, 9am - 5pm

Cross-Border Day Tour: Nogales, Sonora 

Visit two of our partner nonprofit organizations in Nogales. Learn about the value of “social investment” in cultivating community with our neighbors to the South. Enjoy the best burrito ever, featuring Sonoran tortillas at Burrito Hass; learn about the vast city of Nogales, Sonora as we tour the various neighborhoods; then end up with coffee & flan at La Roca. We will meet in Nogales, AZ then cross the border together to meet our van in Nogales, Sonora. There is some walking (less than 1 mile) on this tour. Tour fee: $95/BCA member; $105/non-member. Click to register.

Friday, December 12, 4:30 - 7pm

Concert: Tish Hinojosa with Gary Nabhan

Join us for an evening with acclaimed singer & songwriter Tish Hinojosa. Born to Mexican immigrant parents in San Antonio, Texas, Ms. Hinojosa began performing at an early age. She has released 16 albums in the folk, country, pop, and Latino/a genres and her musical works are expressions of cross-border cultures, diversity and life. She will be joined by renowned ethnobotanist and storyteller, Dr. Gary Nabhan, author of many books including his most recent book, Against the Grain: A Borderlands History of Resistance and Agave Spirits. The event will begin with a brief honoring of our Lady of Guadalupe and an optional meet & greet reception at 4:30pm with Ms. Hinojosa and Dr. Nabhan. Concert begins at 5:30pm. Location: Tin Shed Theater (304 Naugle Ave, Patagonia). $35 for concert only, $50 for concert and pre-event reception with tamales, tequila and wine. Click to get your tickets.

First and second week of January

Let's Speak Spanish! Weekly classes and Pronunciation Practice

Start the New Year with a Spanish class designed to build conversational skills at a

variety of experience levels. Classes are held weekly in the afternoons on Zoom. These classes fill up quickly! Click here to browse classes and register.

Wednesday, January 14, 2 - 3:30pm

Borderlands Forum: “How Did We Get Here? 2025 U.S. Immigration Policy at the Southern Border and Within” with Alyson Ball

Join us at the United Methodist Church of Green Valley! During this presentation Alyson Ball will review what occurred during 2025, explore how border issues influenced the national situation, and discuss how national policies are impacting both the southern border and interior communities nationwide. Alyson Ball is a resident of both Green Valley, AZ and Charlottesville, VA. She serves on the Community Development Committee of the IRC that resettles refugees in Central Virginia. For the last eight years, she has studied U.S. immigration and the border so that she can inform the general public about immigration and the US/MX border with fact-based presentations and discussions. Free event. Donations welcome. Location: United Methodist Church of Green Valley (300 W. Esperanza Blvd, Green Valley). Click to register.

January 27 - 28 

Multi-Day Borderlands Tour: Tohono O’odham Cultural Center and Ajo, AZ  

We’ll begin this tour with a docent-led tour of Himdaq Ki, the beautiful cultural center & museum of the Tohono O’odham people. We’ll have our BYOPicnic lunch on the patio gazing up at the sacred Baboquivari Peak. Onward to Ajo to experience the vibrant art and history renaissance happening there. We’ll spend the night at the beautiful Sonoran Desert Inn where we’ll have a specially catered dinner featuring native plants/recipes. Wednesday we’ll have a walking tour of the historic, revitalized downtown and learn about its history; stop by the humanitarian aid office to get an update on their activity, and have a docent-led tour of the Ajo Historical Society Museum. Tour fee: $375/BCA member; $390/non-member includes transportation, lodging, catered dinner, breakfast & lunch on Wednesday. Sponsored in part by a grant from the AZ Community Foundation. THIS TOUR IS FULL. Register for the waitlist, as we typically have a cancellation or two.

February 19 - 23

Multi-Day Borderlands Tour: Kino Bay, Sonora, Mexico 

During this tour, participants will experience the Bahía de Kino region and learn about many different cultural, economic, environmental, and ecological perspectives. This experiential education opportunity focuses on community-based conservation initiatives, species monitoring, indigenous knowledge, and bio-cultural history. Located on the edge of the Sonoran Desert and shores of the Gulf of California, this region contains incredibly rich, diverse, and unique desert, marine, and island ecosystems. This tour is in partnership with the Prescott College Kino Bay Center for Cultural & Ecological Studies. Tour fee: $1,500/ BCA member; $1,600/non-member includes transportation from Tubac, lodging, and 11 meals (11 out of 13). Click to register for the tour. We will host an informational webinar about this tour on Saturday, November 8 at 11am. Click to register for the informational webinar. 

March 30 - April 6

Multi-Day Tour: Oaxaca, Mexico

Join BCA in Oaxaca for an unforgettable adventure into art, culture and history! Semana Santa (Holy Week) in Oaxaca is a very special time to experience the most reverent week in the Catholic calendar. In Oaxaca the public ceremonies and traditions have a wonderfully creative character, which we will explore together. Visiting small pueblos across the Central Valleys and strolling historic cobblestone city streets, our week will show you a side of Oaxaca that many visitors never see. Tour fee: $3,095/BCA member; $3,195/non-member; $600 single supplement. Fee includes daily travel in Oaxaca (airfare not included), daily breakfast, 2 lunches, 1 dinner. Click to register for the tour. We will host an informational webinar about this tour on Monday, December 1 at 10:30am. Click to register for the informational webinar. 

Office Hours

Tuesdays & Thursdays

9:30am-3:00pm

and by appointment