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Our latest Volviendo a Casa recipient, Omar Antonio Gamez was born in a humble, low-income family in Sinaloa, Mexico. He migrated to Tijuana 12 years ago, met his partner Maria de Jesus, and had a daughter. Unfortunately, he lost his job last year at a company where he had planned to retire. Desperate to find a new source of income, he decided to migrate through the desert to cross to San Diego and work in El Cajon. Sadly, he lost his life in his attempt to cross. He was 58 years old.
His cause of death is still not yet confirmed as Omar was lost in the desert of Dulzura, CA, in February. His remains were recently discovered by Border Patrol, and the family was contacted. They then had to conduct a DNA test in order to identify him due to the condition in which the body was found. His partner, who is now a single mom of a seven-year-old, has a job that barely makes ends meet and cannot afford the expenses of the preparation and transportation of the body. Through our program, we were able to assist with his funeral expenses so that he may finally be laid to rest.
“This was our last picture together in January. I am deeply grateful to all of you because due to all of your work, we could return him home, after such a long process. Thank you so much.”
- Maria de Jesus, partner of Omar Antonio
This program is some of our toughest work emotionally as a team to take on, and we are so grateful for the dedication of our General Manager Dulce Aguirre, who spearheads this program. We admire her strength, respect, and care while handling each case and family.
Omar Antonio Gamez, May he Rest In Peace.
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Familias Reunidas Bond Fund:
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Meet our latest Familias Reunidas bond fund recipient: Amadi. He is our first recipient from Guinea and our 129th recipient. Our Bond Program has helped people from 28 countries of origin. He is 26 years old and spent 2 months inside the Imperial Regional Detention Center. Amadi is excited to start his new life in Indianapolis.
If you would like to help others like Amadi you can donate below, your donation goes towards freeing someone from detention! If your loved one is in the Otay Mesa, Adelanto, or Imperial Regional Detention Center and you need assistance paying for their bond, you can fill out an application on our website.
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This past weekend, as the temperature rose into the 100s we headed into the desert for our July Water Drop. Due to the excessive heat, we opened this event only to experienced hikers with prior water drop experience. Along with the commitment to preventing desert deaths, we also uphold the responsibility of ensuring the safety of all of our volunteers. We are so grateful to this group for spending their long holiday weekend in support of our mission of love. With their help, we were able to leave water alongside care packages with socks, bandanas, electrolytes, etc.
Our upcoming Water Drop sign-up links are below under Volunteer Opportunities. For more information, you can email our coordinator at [email protected].
Eres muy fuerte, (You are very strong)
Border Angels
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We are grateful for the continued partnership of the San Diego Symphony for inviting us to be part of their Music Connect program and their mission to bring music to all:
"Music Connects is San Diego Symphony’s program dedicated to the accessibility of classical music. From free tickets to performances for San Diego’s most economically disadvantaged neighborhoods to special events for active and veteran military members and their families, we understand the value of inclusion and connection in supporting a thriving arts community."
Thank you for the opportunity and a wonderful concert!
Click here to learn more about Music Connect.
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We want to thank Tadin Teas for providing us with dozens of tea boxes to donate to the communities we serve. We are excited about this new partnership and how it can help our various programs.
Tadin Teas is a family and Latino-owned company that has been proudly serving the Hispanic community since 1982. Their sole goal is to promote their consumer’s well-being with high-quality products.
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A special visit from Seattle!
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We want to give a huge thank you to Ken, a volunteer from Seattle, who visited us recently. Ken, an emergency room doctor, conducted “Stop the Bleeding” trainings during his visit. Currently touring San Diego, Tijuana, and Tucson to teach similar clinics, he imparted essential skills to our team on halting life-threatening bleeding and utilizing tourniquets. These abilities are invaluable for our Water Drop team, enabling us to administer crucial first-aid in desert emergencies.
If you have a skill, clinic, presentation etc. and would like to volunteer your time, please contact out Volunteer Coordinator Osvaldo Ruiz at [email protected].
We can’t wait to hear from you!
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Schedule a Donation Drop-Off
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Due to limited storage space we will be receiving physical donations by appointment only. Appointments are available Monday-Friday from 9AM to 3PM.
Call us or email us to schedule today at 619-487-0240 or [email protected].
Drop off donations at our office located at the Sherman Heights Community Center at 2258 Island Ave. San Diego, CA 92102. We do not accept used clothing donations.
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California heat has immigration activists bracing for a humanitarian crisis
It’s dawn at the foot of Otay Mountain, and the heat is already nauseating.
Even this early in the morning, temperatures near this 3,500-foot peak reach triple digits, with this part of the U.S.-Mexico border under an excessive heat warning.
Volunteers with Borderlands Relief Collective, a group of private citizens from the San Diego area, are preparing to drive up the mountain and deliver water and first aid to migrants crossing into the U.S.
Read Full Article
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Why California’s surge in immigration is lifting our economy
Kamala Harris had no sooner replaced Joe Biden as the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee than Donald Trump began bashing her over the number of immigrants coming into the United States, declaring that they had driven countless American workers from their jobs.
But the data on U.S. employment and the economy overwhelmingly suggest a reality far more beneficial when it comes to immigration than the nightmarish vision the former president has put forth.
The surge of international migrants since 2021 — including refugees, asylum seekers and others entering legally and illegally — has lifted the U.S. and California economies by filling otherwise vacant jobs, helping to keep job creation strong, growing businesses and pumping millions of tax dollars into state, local and federal coffers.
Read Full Article
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We have everything from t-shirts, to totes, to water bottles! All merchandise purchases go towards our programs and life-saving work.
Visit our online shop here.
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Make a difference and donate today!
Visit our website: www.borderangels.org
Please make checks payable to:
Border Angels
2258 Island Ave
San Diego, CA 92102
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