Tijuana Ministry and Social Justice Trip

Our Mission

We foster friendships and spiritual growth by reaching across borders to bring God’s people together. By putting our faith into action, we build lasting and vibrant communities in collaboration with San Eugenio Parish in Tijuana. We provide opportunities for education, immersion, and commitment to promote human dignity.

Since 2005, St. Julie Billiart Parish has sponsored a Tijuana Ministry and Social Justice Trip, providing an immersive experience building homes for families in dire need and ministering to women and children in Tijuanaʼs La Morita area. The program also offers opportunities for reflection on social justice issues, and direct conversation and interaction with the people in the community we are serving. In 2011 St. Simon Parish made a financial commitment to the Ministry and members traveled to Tijuana. We also had travelers from several other parishes.

In 2011 we:

. Built 3 safe, durable, insulated houses, including plumbing and electricity

. Ran inspiring programs for over 170 children and over 50 women. These programs continue to grow each year and to attract volunteers and participants alike. They leave a lasting and meaningful impression on the hearts of all who take part. . Shared a heart-warming meal at a homeless shelter for migrant workers . Visited the touching border wall memorial . Talked to local families about the challenges of living in an area of 200,000 people living in abject poverty.

Conversion by Immersion This immersive experience can lead to personal growth, and then parish transformation through the sharing of the experiences and shared prayer. Volunteers gain a stronger sense of belonging to their communities and parishes. Parishes gain new, active and energized leaders.

Experience needed but not required We need contractors, teachers, social workers, fundraisers, reflection planners and organizers. Although Spanish knowledge is not required to participate, bilingual speakers enrich our program greatly. We caravan down the 500 miles to Tijuana. We need people willing to drive themselves, others and trucks with trailers. No experience? No Problem! We provide onsite training. You can learn a new skill, or share your knowledge with others. Leadership opportunities are also available!

Can’t travel? Other ways to Help! . Prayers are always needed for the program, participants and the community in Tijuana. . You can help build here!! We have days to help build the walls and trusses at Yerba Buena High School. These are then trucked to Tijuana for the homes we build. . We need to buy building and program supplies. A financial donation or helping us with our fundraising events or planning your own fundraising event will help make these events happen. . Don’t forget to check for matching grants from your company to maximize your gift. . Join our planning board and help us prepare. There’s lots of work before we can go to Tijuana. . The children love soccer! We try and take soccer equipment each year for them to play with in our programs and then we give them away at the end. They love them!! (Deflated is best for transport).

Build Sites for 2012

Whatever you did for one of the least of my brothers and sisters, you did for me. Matthew 25:40

Casa de Jose: Dad “Julio Cesar” works as a repairman in a machine shop, earning ~ $75/week. Mom “Yaritza Cruz” lost her leg due to complications with cancer. She now wears a prosthetic leg and is unable to hold a job. She is challenged by needing to carry water from the outside faucet into the house for cooking and cleaning. They have a 3-year-old daughter named Yuliana. Their current home has lots of mold, especially in the bedroom, and countless leaks, which they trap with buckets and makeshift tubes, so it doesn’t flood their furniture and belongings. They first came to Tijuana looking for work. Their wish is to have a safer house for their daughter.

Casa de Maria: Leticia Ruiz Morales is a single mother who works in a restaurant, earning ~ $60/week. She has two children; 10-year-old daughter in 6th grade also named Leticia and 8-year-old son Kevin in 4th grade. To make ends meet, they are renting a small provisional room at one end of their property to a nephew, Pablo. The site needs a retaining wall and fill dirt to reroute the rain water away from the house and into the street. The house has an uneven pitted cement floor that is impossible to keep clean. It has lots of mold and severe roof problems, with gaping holes that let in the wind and rain. Their current toilet is outside and in bad condition, with no shower. The family is originally from Sinaloa and came to Tijuana to find work. Leticia dreams of a new home “so the kids have a warm and secure place to live.”

Escuela de Jesus Project: Semillas de Dios,“Seeds of God”: In Tijuana, children with special needs lack access to schools and programs to assist in their development. They are an under-served population. The local parish of San Eugenio received a papal grant to begin building a school for children with disabilities. The school is called “Semillas de Dios” (seeds of God). The grant only covers a portion of the total funds required to complete the project, and the school currently stands unfinished and unusable. The parish hopes to continue to build piece by piece with the help of external partners and donations. During our 2012 trip, the Tijuana Ministry will continue working on the site, finishing electrical work and other items to be able to start using a portion of the facilities.

Join us on a trip that changes lives and communities -- including yours! July 7-14, 2012

. Lodging is provided in a secured facility, with indoor shower and bathroom facilities . Volunteers can choose to work in any part of the ministry: house building, children and mothers ministry, cooking, organizing, etc. . $275 fee per volunteer to cover food and lodging and transportation . We ask for your assistance in fundraising the additional $500 per person for building and program supplies. We have traditionally asked our parish for prayer and financial support to make this a parish to parish alliance. . Approximately $10,000 and 20 volunteers are required for a parish to sponsor a house . We are a multigenerational program, starting with high school age through retirement!

For more information, please visit: http://www.tijuanaministry.org

[email protected] Bob Malone | 408.640.0206 | St Julie Joanna Thurmann | 408.568.2559 | St Julie Joan Mibach | 650.279.0450 | St Simon Jesse Perez | 408.690.6672 | Español