THE BORDER LINE
by Jerry Haas
|
|
Every few years we see snowflakes in Tubac, but they melt quickly when they hit the ground, except that maybe every ten years the snowfall actually accumulates, covering first the mountains and then every bush and cactus with purifying brightness. Such was the case last week when it snowed almost all day in the Santa Cruz Valley. Desert dwellers on this side of the border were tempted to simply watch in wonder, enjoying the rare treat. Then the emails started to come from Alma Cota de Yanez, Executive Director of FESAC, with pictures of the San Juan Bosco Shelter in Nogales, Mexico. Gilda and the people at the Shelter didn’t have time to watch the white stuff come down; they were “snowed under” by huge numbers of people seeking shelter from the storm. The pictures showed more than 325 people crammed into the facility one of our tour groups visited the day before. Of course, I thought, the shelter! We’re enjoying the snow, but others have no place to go! More news began coming in: San Juan Bosco is the largest shelter in Nogales, with the largest water tank. When other smaller shelters in Nogales began running out of water, propane and food, they began sending their people to San Juan Bosco. Gilda was running out of everything; supplies were desperately needed.
For a while we contemplated filling a truck with the needed items but driving them across the international border to the Shelter would be tricky and it wouldn’t be enough. Finally, Alex, Alma and I decided on a plan. BCA would transfer $1000 to stem the crisis; supplies could then be purchased locally for the most immediate need. We weren’t sure whether we could raise the money to recoup this investment, but we had to do something. Then we sent out an email appeal to you, the members and friends of BCA. Within minutes, donations began coming in. In an hour we had raised $1000; in two hours, $3000. I sent a note to Luis Torres, President of FESAC, telling him the news. We were ecstatic! It was such a great gesture, such a contrast to the concertina wire draped on the wall, the messages of fear and hate and disappointment. The next day we went over $10,000 and two days ago I gave Alma a check for $10,500, along with dozens of beautiful baby blankets made by Marylyn Bernard’s group Babies, Blankets and Borders. Funds are still coming in and donations are welcome as the huge numbers are becoming more common. Even though the snow is gone and spring is almost here, US policies aimed at keeping asylees in Mexico will continue to strain facilities there. When I think about how we were able to raise such a large amount of money so quickly, however, I think of the trust relationships that have taken years to develop. Alma, Alex, Bob Phillips and I have led hundreds of tours across the line, often visiting the Shelter. Alma and Luis Torres have attended dozens of BCA events. BCA has continued to grow, thanks to your support and we’ve passed the five-year marker. We’re going to celebrate our anniversary on March 13, and what we are going to celebrate is more than the number of years, members or dollars raised. We’re going to celebrate one of the most beautiful things in the world – acts of compassion like the one you just made possible. Jerry Haas
|
|
Where do the Interns Come From?
|
|
SOMEONE ASKED ME THE OTHER DAY…where do the interns come from, how do they find out about us? I was tempted to make some smart remark, like they come from outer space or something. In fact, the answer is the internet. Not too many years ago we sent notices to different colleges and universities, letting them know about our program. Now, however, Google search gives us quality applicants from around the globe, as we experienced last year with students from Paris, Columbia, Germany, Boston and Raleigh. Why the interest? Obviously, the US-Mexico border is getting a lot of press these days. Students, however, see it as part of the global phenomenon with some 200 million displaced or migrating people on our planet today. And when they arrive in Nogales in June for their six-week stay, they discover the unexpected normalcy of life in that region. After all, most people in Nogales, Mexico, get up in the morning in their homes, go to work and live their lives like people all over the world do. In a city of some 400,000, the number of migrants (maybe 2,000 at the most) is comparatively small. It’s after they make this discovery that students often begin to really learn about the region – the fascinating mix of culture, the economic powers at work, the creative and hard-working people. And I would say that learning about the everyday aspect of life from another context is one of the most important things to learn when your twenty years old. Your help in supporting the BCA-FESAC intern program is very much appreciated; thank you!
Jerry Haas
|
|
Click to make a donation to our Intern Program. Under campaign, select INTERNS.
|
|
BCA is hosting two new tours in March, one to Bisbee and Cananea and the other to Kino Bay. Both are overnight ventures and both expand our geographical reach. The Bisbee/Cananea tour shows how intimately Arizona and Sonora are connected historically and economically through ranching and mining. The mine at Cananea was scene of a huge strike in 1906, an incident that helped spur the Mexican Revolution (1910-1920) in which more than a million people died. American forces intervened numerous times during the conflict, which led to strong anti-Yankee sentiment for years afterwards. Relations are much better today! The tour to Kino Bay will give participants a chance to learn about the aquatic life of the Sea of Cortez, as well as the Seri Indian culture. The Seris successfully eluded the Spanish efforts to colonize and convert them, preferring a hunter gatherer lifestyle along the coast. Depending on the response, BCA may offer one or both of these tours again next season. Your thoughts are welcome.
Jerry Haas & Alex La Pierre
|
|
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
– PART-TIME – BCA has functioned amazingly well these last couple of years with volunteers and Shauna. Shauna’s job title is “Membership and Events Coordinator,” which means that she is the person you talk to when you are trying to register for a tour or a class. She manages her work remotely by carrying laptop and cellphone with her, coming to the office on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings only. She is half-time. BCA’s Board of Directors recently decided to add a part-time Administrative Assistant to open the office the other days of the week and to assist with financial and administrative details. Here is the posting we placed in local newspapers; a complete job description is available by contacting
info@bordercommunity.org.
Jerry Haas
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT – P/T – Required skills include Microsoft Office and other computer, detail and organizational management, team/communication, finances. Prefer 2 yrs experience & English-Spanish. Send resume to
info@bordercommunityalliance.org
.
|
|
BORDERLAND FORUMS
Click date to sign up.
|
|
For more information on our tour schedule and Borderland Forums
|
|
United Methodist Church of Green Valley
300 W. Esperanza Blvd
.
Free admission for both films
|
|
T O U R S
click date to sign up
|
|
Gastronomic Tour
Only 2 spots left
|
|
Cross Border Tour Nogales
FULL
|
|
Magdalena
Here & Now Tour
9 spots left
|
|
|
|
Beautiful Rio Sonora Tour
2 spots left
|
|
Let's Go to Spain
Madrid - Caceres - Merida, - Sevilla - Cadiz - Cordoba - Castilla La Mancha
Extremadura and Andalucia
May 27- June 8, 2019
|
|
Q
ualified Charitable Distribution
Jim Hoff
Although the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 will benefit many individuals by reducing their federal income tax, it also may have a significant and negative impact on charitable giving in the United States. Because more and more taxpayers may choose to take the standard deduction rather than itemizing staring this year, they will not be eligible for tax savings from donations to churches or other eligible nonprofit organizations. As a result, these organizations may see a significant drop in charitable contributions.
However, if you are over age 70 ½ and have retirement funds invested in an IRA, there is a way you can take advantage of the higher standard deduction and still receive a direct tax benefit for charitable contributions. This can be accomplished by using some of the funds in your IRA to make a Qualified Charitable Contribution (QCD) directly from to a qualified charity.
read more
|
|
BCA POLICY: REQUIRED BORDER CROSSING DOCUMENTS
All travelers on BCA tours to Nogales Mexico must have a valid (not expired) passport, passport card, Sentri or Global Entry card. All travelers on BCA tours to destinations beyond Nogales (e.g. Magdalena, Hermosillo, Rio Sonora, Kino Bay, Cananea, etc) must have a valid (not expired)
passport.
(NOTE: passport cards, Sentri or Global entry cards are not accepted at the immigration checkpoint KM 21. Also note that regular or “enhanced” driver’s licenses [good for Canada] are not accepted at the US-Mexico Border.)
|
|
Tubac Office now open!
Regular Office Hours
Tuesday & Wednesday
9:00 am -12:00 pm.
Additional hours by appointment.
|
|
I-19 2221 E. Frontage Rd.
Bldg H Suite 201-202
PO Box 1863
Tubac, AZ 85646
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
