Social
Concerns
Summer Fellowship
Casa del Migrante en Tijuana
Site Address:
Galileo 239 Empleado Postal
Tijuana
,
Baja California
22416
Mexico
Categories:
Language Preferences:
Location Details
Description
Since 1987, Casa del Migrante in Tijuana has provided support to people in the context of mobility, regardless of their immigration status. We serve deportees, internally displaced persons, refugees and people in transit from different parts of the world and Mexico. With the capacity to accommodate up to 140 people, including families and individuals, the Casa offers a safe and welcoming environment. In addition to basic services such as shelter, food, and clothing, it has a multidisciplinary team that provides legal, psychological, and medical assistance. It also focuses on the care of minors and has a labor insertion program, ensuring that each person receives the necessary support to rebuild their lives and improve their conditions. This comprehensive approach not only addresses immediate needs but also promotes the dignity and well-being of migrants, helping them find a path to a better future.
Student Role
The main activities are Humanitarian Attention, each day you will have a shift in one of the following areas: *Door: Here, firsthand information is provided, the flow of people entering and leaving the Casa is monitored, initial interviews are conducted, hygiene supplies are distributed, donations are received, among other tasks. *Kitchen: Meals are prepared with the help of the cook and the sheltered individuals. Volunteers assist with food distribution, coordination of cleaning, and organization of the flow of people. *Child Care Program: The volunteer is responsible for conducting recreational and educational activities with children and adolescents, accompanying them during meals, and keeping an eye on them. *Delivering clothes. *Daily assistance with the requests of the sheltered individuals. *Planning and organizing recreational activities for the residents of the shelter (men, women, children, and adolescents). *These activities are rotated so that volunteers can take on different roles.
Work Schedule
Full-time volunteers collaborate six days a week at the Casa and have one day off. They are provided with a schedule that assigns them a shift each day, lasting between 6 and 8 hours, either in the morning or in the afternoon. This schedule rotates approximately every 15 days.
Orientation
We will have a virtual meeting prior to arrival to explain about the Casa and the work we do. Upon arrival, there will be two days of training. On the first day, a tour of the Casa will be conducted so that they can familiarize themselves with the spaces and meet the people who work in each area. They will also be provided with documents such as the Volunteer Manual. On the second day, there will be a more specific explanation of the activities carried out in each shift and the schedule they will need to follow. During their stay, they will receive personal follow-up regarding their experience and participate in a weekly group meeting with the team.
Housing Information
The students reside within the Casa, where we have a dedicated floor for volunteers. In this space, they share accommodations with students from other universities and volunteers from different countries. Some of the common areas include the kitchen, living room, chapel and meeting room. As for the bedrooms, they are usually shared between 1 and 2 people and have a private bathroom within the room. We have internet access in the Casa, although in some places it does not reach 100%. As a volunteer you will be part of a community so it is important that you are aware of the daily activities that take place and of which you should be a part: A daily morning prayer begins at 8:15 a.m. and is led by a volunteer each day (according to the schedule). This space is to share our spirituality with others so you can choose a prayer, a song, a text, a poem, a meditation. Inside the Chapel there are some books that can serve as a guide, selecting one or two prayers. It is also a space where announcements of the day are said and you can discuss topics that are happening in the Casa. Every day lunch is shared as a community, each day it is one volunteer’s turn to cook for the others (according to the volunteer schedule). You can take the opportunity to share your favorite dish, bring out your cooking skills or experiment with new things. Don’t worry if you are not an expert in the kitchen, it can be something simple, the important thing is to share a space together during the day at the end or beginning of the shift.
Student Preferences
*Empathy: The ability to understand and share the feelings of people in difficult situations. *Communication: Effective skills to listen and convey information clearly. *Flexibility: Adaptability to manage different situations and changes in the environment. *Teamwork: Ability to collaborate with other volunteers and shelter staff. *Resilience: Capacity to face and overcome emotional and physical challenges. *Organization: Skills to plan and execute activities efficiently. *Intercultural Awareness: Sensitivity and respect for diverse cultures and backgrounds. *Proactivity: Initiative to identify needs and offer solutions. *Commitment: Dedication to the mission of the shelter and to supporting the migrant population. *Practical Skills: Knowledge in areas such as education, medical assistance, or legal advice, cooking can be a plus but is not a requirement..
Start And End Dates
Eight consecutive weeks between May 17 and August 16, 2026. Students must choose the same 8 weeks.