Migrant Advocacy Initiative
THREE WAYS TO GET INVOLVED IN MIGRANT ADVOCACY
Donate / Fundraise
Donate / Fundraise
Donate / Fundraise
Give to one of the non-profit organizations supporting migrants or host a fundraiser. Contact me for more ideas.
Volunteer
Donate / Fundraise
Donate / Fundraise
Volunteer at one of the non-profit organizations supporting migrants at the US/Mexico border or in the United States.
Learn
Donate / Fundraise
Learn
Learn more about these organizations and their impact on the migrant community below.
Travel to the US/Mexico Border with the Border Youth Tennis Exchange (BYTE)
BYTE is a multinational youth development organization that combines sports, art, tech-based education, and job readiness training for kids and adults. BYTE specializes in programs that span the US/Mexico border and custom sports enrichment for populations in locked facilities, such as migrant and child-welfare shelters, state and municipal prisons, and facilities for adults and youth with developmental disabilities.
In June 2024, I traveled to Nogales, Mexico at the US/Mexico border with a group of other high school students from my hometown of San Francisco, California. We visited and volunteered at a few local partner organizations of BYTE.
Please donate to BYTE to support their programs for migrant youth.
Kino Border Initiative
Casa De La Misericordia y de Todas las Naciones
Casa De La Misericordia y de Todas las Naciones
Kino Border Initiative is an American organization and partner with BYTE. Located in Nogales, Arizona in the United States, and in Nogales, Sonora in Mexico, their advocacy efforts are rooted in Catholic teaching and are a response to the human realities that are faced at the border.
At this shelter we lead the young children of families i
Kino Border Initiative is an American organization and partner with BYTE. Located in Nogales, Arizona in the United States, and in Nogales, Sonora in Mexico, their advocacy efforts are rooted in Catholic teaching and are a response to the human realities that are faced at the border.
At this shelter we lead the young children of families in activities that included tennis, art, games, and yoga. We got to know the kids and sometimes heard about their family’s stories.
Casa De La Misericordia y de Todas las Naciones
Casa De La Misericordia y de Todas las Naciones
Casa De La Misericordia y de Todas las Naciones
Also a partner with BYTE, Casa De La Misericordia y de Todas las Naciones is a Mexican organization and shelter located in Nogales, Sonora, Mexico. This shelter helps to support more than 200 people of different nationalities in their journey north in search of a better life.
Here we also facilitated tennis, yoga, game, and art activities with children who shared about their family experiences.
Casa Hogar Madre Conchita Foundation
Casa De La Misericordia y de Todas las Naciones
Casa Hogar Madre Conchita Foundation
Casa Hogar para Niñas Madre Conchita is an all-girls Mexican Catholic orphanage in Nogales, Sonora, Mexico. Casa Hogar functions not as an institution, but rather as a large home where girls are taught to treat each other respectfully and love each other as sisters.
We toured the facilities here and did not see any children as they were a
Casa Hogar para Niñas Madre Conchita is an all-girls Mexican Catholic orphanage in Nogales, Sonora, Mexico. Casa Hogar functions not as an institution, but rather as a large home where girls are taught to treat each other respectfully and love each other as sisters.
We toured the facilities here and did not see any children as they were at the school. We also toured a nearby federally owned orphanage which was much more bare and run-down. The children all sat inside watching a single TV as there was not much else to do.
San Francisco High School student led fundraiser
Fundraiser for BYTE
In August 2024, we held a Zoom fundraiser event that doubled BYTE's individual donor base. We want to continue growing BYTE's support. Donations go toward staff member pay and the cost of running programs in addition to other resources including tennis rackets and art supplies.
Local Engagement with Casa Chirilagua in Alexandria, Virginia
Located in a Latino neighborhood in Alexandria, Virginia,
Casa Chirilagua is a faith-based Christian non-profit with a small staff and over 100 volunteers. They serve alongside more than 100 families and their children (1st-12th grades) each week through community programs.
In the Spring of 2024, I spent my afternoons volunteering at Casa Chirilagua’s Kids Club. I did homework and read with middle and lower school students from the Chirilagua community. I also led children in emotional wellness activities and games.
