Vol 50 NEWSLETTER
August 2022
CLean
The Border Community Alliance is a 501(C)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to bridging the border and fostering community through education, collaboration and cultural exchange. 
August 2022

Dear BCA Friends and Supporters,

Many of us fondly said goodbye to our Borderlands Ambassador interns this past week. These six impressive humans did us proud: They came to the borderlands with open minds and hearts and an eagerness to learn about and explore the rich cultures, unique natural environment and landscapes, and complexities of our region.  

They asked excellent questions wherever they ventured and, we believe, returned to their communities with a strong desire to tell others about why many of us choose to call the southern Arizona borderlands our home. They will tell others about the wonderful blend of centuries-old cross-border cultures and languages that exist here, our beautiful Sonoran desert landscape and life-giving monsoon season, our diverse array of ethnic foods and traditions, and so much more .  

At the same time, the interns also learned about the turmoil and tragedies caused by U.S. immigration policy as witnessed in border towns in southern Arizona, the imminent threats to our desert environment and animal and plant species, and our severe water supply problem. 

As many of our interns have done over the past decade, we hope they will return to the borderlands to live and work - or at least visit often.

We thank everyone for their support of our intern program and ongoing support of BCA’s mission. As we do every day, we hope you feel proud of the accomplishments of BCA and our Borderlands Ambassador program.

As Liliana, our Borderlands Ambassador intern from Indiana shared with us recently in her blog post: “When I was researching what to do this summer, I stumbled upon the Border Community Alliance organization, whose mission is “Dedicated to bridging the border and fostering community through education, collaboration, and cultural exchange.” I knew immediately that this was an organization I needed to be a part of. In a world full of polarization and separation, I needed something that brought cultures, beliefs, and communities together.”

Thank you, Liliana, for understanding and sharing what makes BCA so special and vital in our world today..

In borderlands community,

Celia Bavier
Executive Director


P.S. Read the blog posts of our Borderlands Ambassador interns here and see their final presentations about their intern experience here.
Fall Spanish
Class Update
Response to our fall lineup of Spanish classes has been very strong, with nearly fifty students registering so far for our three fall classes. But because we have recruited a large contingent of facilitators, we still can accommodate more students.

If you are interested in joining one of our classes this fall but aren’t sure which class is right for you, we are scheduling a free orientation session to help you. This special session will be held Tuesday, August 23 at 4:00 PM Arizona time (UST-7). During this free online session, we will share how Let's Speak Spanish is different from many other language classes. You will learn how we make the online environment inviting and fun by adding curated videos, songs, games, and secret shortcuts for effective learning. You also will have the opportunity to meet many of the experienced facilitators who host our small group sessions and make our program so unique. 

Finally, if you have any questions about which level of class is best for you, we will provide a brief description of the Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced classes, including suggested prerequisites and the learning
structure for each level. If you would like to participate in this orientation session. please follow this link to register.
Also, if you know anyone who is interested in learning Spanish but was a little hesitant to sign up so far, please refer them to this free class.
Fundación Del Empresariado Sonorense A.C.
Update
Alma Cota de Yanez,
FESAC Director
We're happy to report that several youth who are recent college graduates and are now teachers, interpreters and have other jobs, and who also attended afterschool programs at Manitas Que Hablan Nogales throughout their school years - a program for deaf youth in Nogales, Sonora - attended the Deaf Nation World Expo in Las Vegas this month. Their trip was sponsored by long-time supporters of Manitas, Susan and Silverio Ontiveros.

At Manitas, participants learn and use both Spanish and American sign language. Parents and their children learn these skills.

We thank the Ontiveros family and all those who have supported these students to achieve such success!
From the beginning BCA has had a close relationship with FESAC, a Nogales, Sonora-based community foundation. This unique arrangement allows us to provide pass through donations to FESAC and to specific NGO community organizations that BCA/FESAC supports. We strongly stand with FESAC in lifting up local community by changing the narrative from charity to social investment.
 To register for tomorrow's BLFC meeting, go here or call Suzy at 520.398.3229.
Please Help!

The Border Community Alliance (BCA) is in critical need of general operating funds to get us through the end of the year.  

We aim to keep all our program and tour costs low and affordable to members and the public - and to continually invest generously in our Sonora, Mexico nonprofit partners - but we also have to pay rent, utilities, staff salaries (one full-time and two part-time), insurance, and other standard non-profit operating costs.

Please help us continue offering high quality and affordable cross-border programs, invest and collaborate with our Sonoran nonprofit partners, and foster community by giving a generous donation today.

Donations can be given online here or mailed to
P.O. Box 1863
Tubac, AZ 85646
Thank you for your generosity and support.
Office Hours Vary
Call for appointment
(520)398-3229
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 1863
Tubac, AZ 85646

Physical Address (no mail):
I-19 2221 E. Frontage Rd.
Bldg F201
Tubac, AZ 85646