Migrant Caravan
In the recent weeks, the migrant caravans from the Central America, through Mexico, to the United States border, have received significant media attention. The exodus from Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador isn’t new, but traveling in groups this large is a more recent phenomenon. The migrants are fleeing extreme poverty and violence in their home…
Mexico Road: Brothers at the FM4
Originally posted for Teachers Latin America The doorbell buzzes a bzzz-bzzzt as I move to open the small window in the large black door. I look through a window stenciled with the logo of the FM4 Paso Libre. We are here at a shelter for migrants and refugees in Guadalajara. The young man on…
En el camino…On their way
Each person that passes through the doors of the FM4 is received as a part of the family “in the house that keeps dreams alive” and is treated with respect and dignity. With over 5,000 migrants and refugees passing through our house each year, I want to share with you all a part of their…
24 Hours at the FM4
(Originally posted February 2017) The FM4 has been a place continual change. In the past year of volunteering at the migrant shelter, I’ve seen the place transform into a 24-hour facility serving the needs of migrants in transit and refugees. I love being a part of the family of volunteers and staff that makes this…
FM4 Paso Libre
(Originally posted June 2016) Since February, I’ve been volunteering with a grassroots project that supports migrants coming through Guadalajara, called FM4 Paso libre, officially known as Dignidad y justicia en el camino, A.C. The organization provides humanitarian aid, along with legal and psychological accompaniment, to ensure the human rights of migrants. The journey migrants…
Back from Mexico
(Originally posted August 2008) After an amazing month at the Casa YMCA, Tijuana and a long day with Frontier Airlines, I am back home in Minneapolis. During the month of July, 163 youth passed through the Casa, some of them arrived more than once as they were unsuccessful in a second and sometimes third attempt…
Another Busy Week at the Casa YMCA – Tijuana
(Originally posted July 2008) It has been a very exciting week here at the Casa YMCA in Tijuana. Along with assisting the Casa with daily cooking/cleaning and working with the migrant youth, I have continued to work with four young adults from Mexico City as they complete a week of service at the…
Casa YMCA – Tijuana
(Originally posted July 2008) Dear Friends and Family, It’s been a year but now that I’ve been back in Mexico with new adventures, I think it’s time for an encore of the weekly update. I’ve been in Mexico for about a week at the Casa YMCA de Menores Migrantes. From the staircase of the…