Volunteer in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas

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

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. See Covid-19 requirements.

Get Started in Texas

Serve in the Rio Grande Valley.

Local time:

Required Mobility Level:
Somewhat mobile

“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.

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.