Service/Learning Trips to the U.S./Mexico Border with BorderLinks

Trip Description

Through education, meetings with partners, service opportunities, and theological reflection, we'll grow in understanding the human rights issues at stake on the U.S./Mexico border and return to our homes informed and inspired to be leaders for Immigration Justice.

BorderLinks has deep experience designing programs and guiding groups, including Unitarian Universalists. They'll make arrangements for all of the logistics: accommodations, meals, transportation, translators. The Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) will set our faith-context for the journey and provide Unitarian Universalist (UU) theological reflection.

Rev's. Barbara and Bill Hamilton-Holway described their experience on the January trip in two sermons (PDF, 14 pages). These sermons provide a terrific overview of the experience.

Dates

• February 1-4, 2013 (Registration Deadline: December 1, 2012)
• May 24-27, 2013 (Registration Deadline: March 24, 2013)

Where

Each Service/Learning trip will begin at the BorderLinks Headquarters in Tucson, AZ and includes experiences in Nogales, SO (Mexico).

Accommodations and Meals

Participants will stay in the dormitory on the Borderlinks campus, which comfortably sleeps 30-40 people. The dorm is split into a series of cubicles. Each cubicle has two bunk beds, a door that locks, and cabinets. While in Mexico, the group will stay at a community center dormitory with shared rooms instead of cubicles. Both facilities have shower/bathroom facilities with running water. Participants enjoy delicious vegetarian meals prepared and served at Borderlinks.

Price

Price is all-inclusive (except for transportation to/from Tucson)

• $620—All adults (except as described below)
• $465 (25 percent scholarship)—Fellowshipped ministers, religious education professionals, and lay leaders engaged in justice work.
• $310 (50 percent scholarship)—Seminarians and young adults (18-35) with demonstrated interest in advancing justice.

Travel Arrangements

Participants are responsible for getting to and from Tucson, AZ. BorderLinks provides transportation from the Tucson Airport.

For information on travel logistics, a packing list, and more on what to expect on your trip, please read BorderLinks’ Orientation Packet.

Visa Requirements

U.S. citizens are required to have a valid passport. Citizens of other countries should inquire with the Mexican Embassy regarding visa requirements and with U.S. Customs and Border Protection for reentry requirements.

Immunizations/Vaccines

Please see Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

All participants are required to have health insurance that covers medical expenses in the United States and Mexico. Participants are required to have a valid tetanus vaccination. Other vaccinations are recommended–please see the CDC website.

U.S. Government Advisories

Please see Travel.State.Gov for more information.

Trip Leaders

Rev. Eric Cherry, Director of International Office, UUA

Rev. Eric Cherry has been the director of the Unitarian Universalist Association's International Office since August 2007. In this position, Cherry manages the UUA's relationships with UU and interfaith partners around the world, provides resources for congregational international engagement, and supervises the staff of the UU Holdeen India Program and UU United Nations Office. Prior to accepting this position, Eric served for 12 years as a parish minister with UU congregations in Burlington, Iowa, and N. Easton, Massachusetts. Cherry has long been involved in the UU Partner Church movement, serving as the English teacher for Unitarian Seminarians in Kolozsvár, Transylvania in 1998. He earned a bachelor's degree from Earlham College and a master of divinity degree from Meadville Lombard Theological School.

About our Partners and Programs

BorderLinks is a bi-national, nonprofit educational organization at the U.S./Mexico border that focuses on cross-border relationship building opportunities, issues of immigration, community formation and development, and social justice in the borderlands between Mexico, the U.S., and beyond. On average, nearly 1,000 individuals participate annually in BorderLinks learning opportunities.

How to Register

1. Complete the online registration form at the UU College of Social Justice Website website.
   • Group Name: UUA
   • Group Coordinator's Email Address: echerry @ uua.org
2. Read the Orientation Manual (PDF) for BorderLinks delegations
3. View the "Draft Itinerary" (PDF) to familiarize yourself with the trip's schedule. Participants are welcome to stay at BorderLinks on the night before and/or the night after their trip.
4. We will contact you when it is time to make transportation arrangements. At that time, arrange for your transportation to/from Tucson and send your travel itinerary to irodirector @ uua.org.

If you have any questions about the registration process, please contact the UUA's International Office.