About Us
History
- Overview of how and why the Collaborative was formed
As religious congregations of women renewed their focus on the works of mercy to address the immediate needs of the poorest and disenfranchised. In Southern California various religious congregations of women have sought to alleviate the sufferings of the immigrant community in the Border region.
Although there has always been a cooperative and mutual support character among these ministries, given the growing complexity of government policies, the increased numbers of refugees, as well as increased animas towards immigrants, it has become evident that these new border ministries would be more effective by instituting collaborative programming to strengthen current services and provide for the sustainability of the ministries themselves.
MINISTRIES at the BORDER
Pope Francis characterized the refugee crisis as the “globalization of indifference”. The numbers seem to bear this out. The United Nations High Commissioner on Refugees (UNHCR) reported that currently there are some 82.4 million forcibly displaced people in the world, seventy-five percent of whom are women and children. Approximately 22% of the refugee population reside in camps.
As of this writing, thousands of persons languish on the streets or in shelters waiting an opportunity to request asylum—a right guaranteed under international law. Hundreds more, detained in Department of Homeland Security Detention Centers, are incarcerated for months awaiting adjudication of their cases. This Mexican American border in southern California, from San Ysidro through to Yuma is a region fraught with human suffering. Thousands along this border continue to be victimized and are easy prey to Mexican cartels. Many have been victims of robbery, kidnapping, rape and human trafficking.
Additionally, there is the pervasive fear among all undocumented persons on both sides of the border: the fear of apprehension by immigration authorities and the separation from loved ones and deportation. The feverish plea for “papers” is whispered in hundreds of dialects and languages throughout the border region. Their plight is further complicated by Immigration policy and enforcement practices that are arbitrary and often incomprehensible. There is an ever present need for a welcoming presence, for shelter, food and clothing, counsel.
These realities weigh heavily in the border region already home to an estimated 170,000 undocumented persons who live in the shadows of society. Many of these undocumented persons live in “mixed” families where those with documents reside with those without. Fear of detection prevents even qualified family members from accessing social services and health care for which they are eligible. Many within these families are unemployed or underemployed; many lack work authorization papers. The gospel compels the faith community to assist those lacking basic needs.
The Border ministries initiated by members of women’s congregations over the past thirty years have sought to address these needs. They have been a beacon of hope in a sea of despair. Looking to the future, the religious congregations realize that these good works, as in the past, will need to engage the laity in leadership roles if these ministries are to endure. In addition to ongoing financial support, the professional and spiritual formation of lay partners in ministry is of major concern of the Collaborative, currently and for the long term.
MINISTRIES at the BORDER
The Collaborative for Border Ministries is a network addressing immediate needs in the border region by providing direct services and gospel presence to immigrants and victims of human trafficking.
In pursuit of this mission the Collaborative will continue and initiate programs to
- Ensure access to basic needs of food, shelter, clothing, and support services and pastoral care;
- Provide programs enabling victims of human and civil rights violations access to legal services;
- Maintain a strategic planning process by which individual ministries and the Collaborative itself fosters the effective use of resources.
COLLABORATIVE FOR BORDER MINISTRIES
Working Together
Statistics:
Brief Descriptions Of Collaborative Projects
Casa Cornelia Law
Casa Cornelia Law Center honors Casa Los Pobres and solicits financial support for this ministry at the La Mancha Awards event.
Sothern California Legal
Sothern California Legal Services provides Right Your Rights presentations and legal counsel for residents of sheltered served by Border Compassion in Mexicali
RJM Border Ministries
RJM Border Ministries coordinates the distribution of blankets and clothing from several Collaborative ministries.
The Immigration
The Immigration Committee of Casa de Misericordia and Casa Cornelia Law Center partner in conducting monthly immigration legal clinics in Logan Heights neighborhood.
Call to Action
Description of Immediate Needs
Our shared commitment to witnessing the gospel mandate of Matthew 25 compels us to unite in addressing the humanitarian crisis along the Southern California border. As women religious working together with our lay colleagues, we have a unique opportunity to alleviate the suffering of the hundreds migrants and refugees currently residing along the Tijuana/Mexicali corridor.
Multimedia Gallery
Photo Gallery:
High-Quality Images Capturing the coalition's activities.
Recent activities
BORDER uPDATES, rECENT Events & ACHIEVEMENTS
In September 2023 the Board of Supervisors of San Diego County unanimously declared a State of Emergency in recognition of the fact that the situation at the border had become unmanageable.
