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. |
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Dear Friends of the Border Community Alliance (BCA),
As the end of this tumultuous year approaches, we hope you are all healthy and well. The last 18 months have been like no other in our lifetimes, and here in the borderlands, we are now reopening borders, again welcoming visitors, family, and friends, and enjoying the beauty, culture, and history of our tremendously unique region.
If this unprecedented pandemic time has taught us anything, it is that: Borders are fluid, people need and want to travel and migrate, and we all yearn for and need community, whether that comes through Zoom get-togethers, spending time with family and friends, or through celebrations of life and cultural events. Without connections and communities, the world is a desolate place.
At the Border Community Alliance, we seek to foster community and bridge the border through education, cultural exchange, and social investment. We were forced to halt our cross-border tours temporarily during the pandemic; however, we persevered with Zoom Borderland Forums, online Spanish classes, and Borderland Literature & Film Circle events. These past 18 months provided obstacles, but also created many opportunities to spread our reach further and communicate in different ways about the borderlands. We now have members in 26 states and several countries, and we are growing.
We communicate about the border region by highlighting all the positive forces involved in living in and visiting this region, including our unique and vibrant cultures, languages, geography, economy, history, and much more. We also seek to balance this positive portrayal of the borderlands with the reality on the ground—through forums on threatened biodiversity, climate change’s effects, and the migrant and refugee situation.
Through BCA’s unique mission of creating community and understanding through cross-cultural exchange, education, and social investment, we are strengthening our region and helping those from around the country and the world understand the complex dynamics at play where we live.
Please help us continue this critical mission with a generous year-end gift today. You can contribute by sending a check or giving online at www.BorderCommunityAlliance.org.
We also welcome planned gifts to our endowment fund, gifts of stock, IRA Qualified Charitable Contributions (QCDs), and donor-advised fund grants. No gift is too small, and we are grateful for all.
Thank you for your continued support of our work, and may the new year bring you peace and health.
In community,
Celia Bavier
Executive Director
(520) 917-1886
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Border Community Alliance (BCA) is planning for 2022 and beyond and we need your input!
As we move into a new year, BCA staff and volunteers are busy planning a variety of programs, tours, and events. In order to do this effectively, we’d very much like your suggestions on what you’d like to see offered.
Please fill out the attached short survey that will enable you to share your thoughts and ideas for BCA programming moving forward and help us plan for the new year.
The survey can be found here:
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Fundación Del Empresariado Sonorense A.C.
Update
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Reap what you Sew:
The Fruits of Social Investment
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Featured above are students of the Taller de Costura Guadalupana, a sewing workshop that meets biweekly in Nogales, Sonora. Teacher Lorenia Zamora, who was once a student herself, is now leading 45 women and runs a small business from the comfort of her home. Most of the women–Sonora and Arizona locals–have followed suit and started small sewing businesses as well. They make alterations and sew varying types of attire, from school uniforms to wedding dresses.
Most recently, the group received a generous donation of 25 sewing machines from the Sewing Machine Project, Inc. (SMP), a 501(c)(3) organization formed in 2005 for the purpose of bringing sewing into people’s lives. FESAC, through the sponsorship of the Border Community Alliance, applied for and received this valuable donation. SMP provides sewing machines, tools, and education to local, national, and international groups. Their work provides people with the opportunity to create, learn new skills, and build self-confidence. Evidently, people are using their newfound knowledge not only to rebuild their lives but also to start businesses.
One of the primary tenets of the SMP is the idea of Paying it Forward. They ask that every person receiving a machine “pay it forward” in a sewing-related way. This idea gives their work a ripple effect and reminds the recipients that despite their own difficult circumstances, they as individuals are important and capable of making a positive difference in their community, giving them a renewed feeling of self-worth. The entrepreneurial students at Taller de Costura Guadalupana are paying it forward with their business, and empowering themselves in the process.
To date the SMP has distributed over 2,900 sewing machines internationally. The thousands of ripples they have made across the international community have been felt and will continue to make their mark. SMP’s contributions are a testament to how social investment transforms a community, and therefore the world.
Nancy Lopez-Alvarez
FESAC Intern
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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. |
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Let’s Speak Spanish! Starts Again in January 2022 with New and Improved Classes
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BCA will be offering several new Let’s Speak Spanish classes starting in January. First, to help all new students we are scheduling two classes for the week of January 3 that will concentrate on pronunciation. Next, starting the week of January 10 we will repeat our basic 8-week Beginning Conversation program which should be suitable for both new students and current students wanting more time to study basic conversation concepts. Finally, we are introducing a new 8-week Advanced Conversation and Grammar program for students who have participated in our basic class or have studied Spanish in other venues. This program also will start the week of January 10.
Class 1: Pronunciation Basics
· Classes: Meet for 2 sessions: Tuesday January 4 and Thursday January 6
· Designed for: Beginners and more advanced students needing to brush up on pronunciation
· Class format: Small group breakouts to practice pronunciation
· Registration fee: No charge for anyone who registers for Class 2 or 3
Class 2: Beginning Conversation
· Classes: Meet each Tuesday January 11 through March 1 (8 weeks)
· Designed for: Beginners and more advanced students needing to refresh their skills
(Note: Separate conversation groups provided for first-timers and more advanced students)
· Class format: Small group breakouts with conversation exercises
· Registration fee: $120 / $100 for BCA members
Class 3: Advanced Conversation and Grammar
· Classes: Meet each Thursday January 13 through March 3 (8 weeks)
· Designed for: Advanced beginners and intermediate students
· Class format: We will study four key methods of conversation, with a week of grammar review and a week of free-form conversation for each topic
· Registration fee: $120 / $100 for BCA members
Note: All classes will meet from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM Arizona Time (UTC-7)
As during the past three editions of Let’s Speak Spanish, all classes will be delivered virtually via Zoom. The biggest advantage a virtual program offers is that we are able to recruit both native speakers from across Mexico as well as experienced teachers throughout the United States to serve as facilitators. However, we do hope to supplement the virtual class sessions with several in-person events. If the border remains open, we would like to visit Nogales, Sonora as a group; and there may be other special events such as concerts we could attend.
TO REGISTER FOR ANY OF THESE CLASSES, PLEASE USE THE FOLLOWING LINKS:
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And if you have any questions or suggestions regarding the Let’s Speak Spanish program, please contact the program coordinator, Jim Hoff, at jhoff@tegnos.org
Jim Hoff is a BCA board member and a business consultant in Tubac, AZ.
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Santa Cruz Valley Heritage Tour SOUTH
Dec 4(FULL) & Jan 8
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Join BCA to learn more about what makes the borderlands and the Santa Cruz River Valley so unique.
Throughout the day, we will visit the Canoa Ranch, Tumacacori National Historical Park, Las Lagunas de Anza in Nogales, and other places that showcase the culture, history, and nature of this region.
Please note that the tour includes a short walk on the banks of the Santa Cruz River located between Tumacacori Mission and the Tubac Presidio. This will offer a chance to enjoy the natural surroundings and bird watch. So make sure to wear comfortable shoes and bring your binoculars, journal, water colors, or anything else you may need to take in the natural views.
Registration is based on a first come first serve basis. Only 12 spots are available. Itinerary will be shared via Email.
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Guidelines: Drive your own car and wear a mask
Cost $55 for Members, $65 for Non-Members
Time: 9:00 - 3:00 PM
Lunch is included
Tour Guide: Magda E. Mankel, Ph.D, is a cultural anthropologist by training and is pairing her interests in culture and heritage with BCA's bi-national mission of creating community across the U.S.-Mexico borderlands
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TOHONO O’ODHAM HISTORY AND CULTURE: An Introduction
(3 sessions - $90 members; $120 non-members). Zoom only.
As a graduate student at Arizona State University, Seth Schermerhorn traveled to the Tohono O’odham Nation many times, getting to know the people, their stories, their humor, their sacred traditions. He participated in the pilgrimage walk to Magdalena five times. Out of this extended contact, he grew to deeply appreciate their culture. This doctoral thesis, “Walking to Magalena: Personhood and Place in Tohono O’odham Songs, Sticks, and Stories,” published by the University of Nebraska Press in 2019, illustrates his care and affection for these people. Dr. Schermerhorn’s book became a valuable and timely resource for BCA for its documentary, produced in 2021, “Pilgrimage to Magdalena.” After an introduction in session one, Professor Schermerhorn will explore more deeply TO History and Culture and in the final session, provide commentary on the pilgrimage experience. Dates and times are:
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January 3 – 10 am
January 10 – 10 am
January 17 – 10 am
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MEXICO: History, Culture and Context
(3 sessions - $60 members; $75 non-members). In-person only.
This BCA Forum is for the vast number of us who move to Southern Arizona from other parts of the US or Canada and know little about our neighbor to the South. Participants in this three-session class will take away a basic knowledge of Mexico’s complex history, gain an appreciation for its rich cultural heritage and have a better understanding of its current economic and political context. The first two sessions (February 7 and 21) will be at a classroom at CPAC. The third session on February 28 will be at the Mexican Consulate in Nogales, Arizona. Recommended text: A Brief History of Mexico by Lynn V. Foster (4th edition).
Each session will be approximately an hour and a half long. After the session at the Consulate, an optional “Dutch treat” lunch at La Roca Restaurant in Nogales, Sonora will complete our experience. Masks are required for all sessions.
Presenters: Jerry Haas, Senior Advisor, Border Community Alliance; Victor Manuel Jiménez Segovia, Deputy Consul General, Consulado General de Mexico, Nogales, Arizona.
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Dates and times:
February 7 – 2:00 pm - CPAC
February 21 – 2:00 pm - CPAC
February 28 – 10:00 am – Mexican Consulate, Nogales, Arizona
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Fall-Winter 2021/22
Upcoming Events
Mark your Calendar for these Events
& register at the links below:
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December 7, 2pm: Readings & Discussion from "Voices of the Border: Testimonios of Migration, Deportation, and Asylum” with authors Tobin Hansen and María Engracia Robles (Zoom) REGISTER
January 3, 10, 17, 2022, 10am: "History and Culture of Tohono O’odham Nation" with Dr. Seth Schermerhorn, author of the book “Walking to Magdalena.” REGISTER
January 8: Santa Cruz Valley Heritage Day Tour, South. REGISTER
January 12: Nogales/ FESAC Cross-border Tour: Visit our parter nonprofit organizations in Nogales, Sonora, Mexico (all day tour). REGISTER
January 20, 2pm: Viewing and panel discussion of the film “Taste Bud Memories,” a documentary film produced by the Tucson-based Iskashitaa Refugee Network, focusing on local food and refugees in Southern Arizona, United Methodist Church of Green Valley, Green Valley, AZ REGISTER
January 23, 2022, 2pm: “Pilgrimage to Magdalena” film showing & discussion. “Pilgrimage” is a documentary showing the centuries-old cross-border pilgrimage to Magdalena, Sonora from the U.S. and Mexico. Location: Tin Shed Theater, Patagonia. Registration coming soon!
January 27, 2pm: “Immigration/ Asylum Update with Alba Jaramillo,” Arizona Justice for our Neighbors (ZOOM)(Co-sponsored with Alliance for Action) REGISTER
January 29, 2pm: “Ruby, AZ - Archaeology & Immigration” w/ Magda Mankel (Zoom) REGISTER
February 7 & 21, 2pm: “Mexico: History, Culture and Context”, a three-session class with Jerry Haas, Senior Advisor, BCA. A field trip will be held the 3rd session (date & location TBA), Community Performance & Art Center (CPAC), Green Valley, AZ. REGISTER
February 15, 2022, 8am-Noon: Day trip to Whitewater Draw. one of the premier winter birding sites in southern Arizona, led by Jeff Babson of Sky Island Tours. REGISTER
February 16: Nogales/ FESAC Cross-border Tour: Visit our parter nonprofit organizations in Nogales, Sonora, Mexico (all day tour) REGISTER
February 24, 2pm: “Economics & the Border”, with Cónsul Victor Martinez Jimenez, Mexican Consulate in Nogales and Jaime Chamberlain, President, Chamberlain Distributing, Nogales, AZ, Community Performance & Art Center (CPAC), Green Valley, AZ. Sponsored by the Tucson-Mexico Sister Cities Association. REGISTER
A $10 suggested donation is requested for all events, unless a required fee is charged as seen on the registration page for that event.
To register for any of these events go to www.bordercommunityalliance.org
or call Suzy at (520)398-3229.
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BCA is looking for a few folks to join our
Finance Committee
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We're looking for individuals with budgeting, investment, and/ or accounting experience, particularly with non-profits.
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Interested in joining BCA’s Board?
Border Community Alliance is seeking new Board members.
Board members serve a 3-year term and are expected to participate in monthly board meetings (in-person or online), help out at BCA events when available, and contribute an area of expertise to the organization (i.e., fundraising, graphic design, writing, finance, volunteer management, etc.).
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The Border Community Alliance
was hit hard by the pandemic.
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The cancellation of cross-border tours and reduction of other income streams has put a strain on our budget. However, we are maintaining a robust program lineup this winter and plan to start our cross-border tours again in early 2022.
If you're able, please give a generous year-end gift to help us continue providing strong programming throughout the southern Arizona region and to work with our non-profit partners in Sonora. Thank you for your continued support.
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Office Hours: 10-1
Tuesday, Thursday & Friday
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Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 1863
Tubac, AZ 85646
Physical Address (no mail):
I-19 2221 E. Frontage Rd.
Bldg F201
Tubac, AZ 85646
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