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 families we assist in the Rio Grande Valley struggle with basic necessities of life.  You are needed to lend your hands and compassion to vital community projects that improve living conditions through an exemplary program originally founded to assist migrant farm workers. Everyone can be helpful.  In one week, you can make a positive difference, form bonds with the local people, and learn first-hand about 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
Most impoverished families in this area live in Colonias, unincorporated, “informal” rural communities, many of which have gravel roads and often lack water, sewage treatment, and garbage pickup. Housing is a major challenge. Volunteers are needed to work alongside residents of colonias to help build, repair, paint, and maintain homes under the direction of Proyecto Azteca, our primary community partner. This organization serves low-income residents through a self-help home repair and construction program of single-family homes. Through this program, families acquire valuable lifelong skills in home building, maintenance, and financing. Your assignment will depend on your skill level and may include interior painting, house siding, tile work, site preparation, landscaping, building handicapped ramps, and upgrading bathrooms to be accessible.

Community Development and Education

Colonias residents have a variety of needs, including science-based nutrition and health knowledge, basic supplies, child enrichment, and psychological support. Our partner is ARISE (A Resource In Serving Equality), a community development organization that focuses on improving the lives of families in the colonias of the Rio Grande Valley. Volunteers assist ARISE by distributing essential items to families, participating in community education classes, and helping at children’s summer camps.  Alongside local people, volunteers help educate, advocate for, and support colonias residents in various ways.

Humanitarian Respite Center
Hunger affects families and children. Volunteers are needed to work with local staff 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. The Respite Center aids and supports those in need to regain hope and dignity. They serve the homeless and other vulnerable populations. Volunteers work with local staff to prepare, cook, and serve hot meals twice a day.

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

Insufficient nutritious food is an ongoing challenge for many elderly and children. At the Rio Grande Valley Food Bank, another Global Volunteers’ community partner, you are needed to pack and distribute boxes of food, stock shelves with food and other supplies, and work in a community garden. This food bank serves over 82,000 area residents each week. Volunteers are vital to support the critical mission of this local initiative to eliminate hunger for all in need.

About Global Volunteers in Texas.

Be The Change.

Poverty rates are between 30% and 40% in this part of the United States. Children and their families’ needs are substantial, including inadequate nutrition, insufficient health care, a challenging education system, and high unemployment. Through important, full-day volunteer assignments, you can help improve children’s lives and enhance their community. Our time-tested, proven philosophy of service ensures that your efforts advance our local partners’ development vision and goals and contribute to genuine community-based projects. In doing so, you’ll be accepted as part of a large extended family. Our commitment to engaging short-term volunteers in long-term community projects, in partnership with local people, enables you to serve as a critical link in a chain of volunteer support spanning four decades. Further, you’ll have the opportunity to experience the local culture and learn from and about the people who live in the Rio Grande Valley.

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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