Volunteer in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas

  • “Partnerships are the biggest thing for us.
    We want volunteers to understand our issues
    here on the border.”
    – Proyecto Azteca Director Ann Cass

Be the Change. Be a Global Volunteer in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas.

“We just wanted to come and embrace and welcome people to their new country and we felt this was such a beautiful place to be.”

Proyecto Azteca was established in 1991 in the spirit of Cesar Chavez as a means of respond to the housing crisis in Texas’ Rio Grande Valley colonias located in Hidalgo County.

The children consider themselves “los olvidados,” the forgotten ones, who live with social, economic, health and political oppression.

Texas has both the largest number of colonias – substandard housing communities – and the largest colonia population -approximately 400,000 residents. More than 75 percent of colonia residents were born in the U.S. and 85 percent are U.S. citizens.

A colonia is a neighborhood of 30-200 homes outside of the normal city structure, often without public utilities such as sewer, water, paved roads, garbage collection etc.  81% of people in colonias are food insecure.

Proyecto Azteca is one of some 35 organizations in Hidalgo County addressing housing, health and education needs for under-served area residents.

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Experience Life along the US-Mexico border.

The Rio Grande Valley often looms large in today’s news. But beyond the headlines and politics lies vibrant communities requesting your help.  The families we assist struggle with the basic necessities of life.  You can lend your hands and spirit to projects improving their living conditions through an exemplary program originally founded to assist migrant farm workers. In just one week, you can make a difference, form bonds with the people of this community, and learn first-hand the issues facing this multicultural community.

Get Started in Texas

Serve in the Rio Grande Valley.

Local time:

Required Mobility Level:
Somewhat mobile

Minimum Age(s):
  • San Juan - 12

Call: 651-407-6100

Request Program Information

Quick Online Registration

FAQs:

Genuine development projects to help children and families thrive. Exceptional service-learning for families, groups and individuals.

Home Construction and Repair
Help build, repair, paint, and maintain homes for colonia residents with Proyecto Azteca, our primary community partner. This organization serves low-income residents through a self-help construction program of single-family homes. Through this program, families acquire valuable lifelong skills in home construction and financing. Volunteer assignments depend on skill level, and include interior painting, house siding, tile work, site preparation, landscaping, building handicapped ramps, and upgrading bathrooms to be handicapped accessible.

Community Development and Education

Distribute essential items, participate in community education classes, and help at children’s summer camps with ARISE (A Resource In Serving Equality). ARISE is a community development organization that focuses on improving the lives of families in the colonias of the Rio Grande Valley. Alongside local people, volunteers can expect to help this organization to educate, advocate for, and support colonia residents in a variety of ways.

Humanitarian Respite Center
Work alongside local staff and volunteers to provide for the poor and most vulnerable populations in the area at the Humanitarian Respite Center, run by Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley. They aid and support to help those in need regain hope and dignity. They serve the homeless and other vulnerable populations. Volunteers work with local staff preparing, cooking, and serving hot meals twice a day to approximately 50 people.

Distribute Fresh Produce, Dry Goods and Frozen Foods to Children, Families and Seniors

Pack and distribute boxes of food, stock shelves with both food and other supplies, or help with a community garden at the Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley. This food bank system serves over 82,000 area residents each week. Volunteers are vital to support the critical mission of this local institution in their efforts to eliminate hunger for all in need.

About Global Volunteers in Texas.

Be The Change.

Through important, full-day volunteer assignments and free-time activities, you learn about culture and the significant ways you improve children’s and families’ lives. Our time-tested and proven philosophy of service ensures your efforts help advance the host community’s development vision and goals. You contribute to genuine community-based projects, and in doing so, you’re accepted as family. Our commitment to engage short-term volunteers on long-term community projects in partnership with local people enables you, in just a short time, to serve as a critical link in a chain of volunteer support spanning three decades.

Global Volunteers
375 East Little Canada Road
St. Paul, MN 55117-1628 USA
(800) 487-1074 | toll-free
(651) 482-0915 | fax
globalvolunteers.org
email@globalvolunteers.org
Federal EIN: 36-3352680

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