Paths to Human Dignity in the Migrant Communities
of Baja California
The Via Migrante program supports populations impacted by migration through holistic, multidisciplinary programming in partnership with shelters and grassroots advocacy groups. Life as a migrant is isolating and oftentimes traumatic, and our program breaks down barriers to offer resources and support services to individuals and families living this trauma. Our team reaches migrants where they are -- in shelters and in public plazas that serve as gathering places for people on the move. We identify key leaders in these networks, and offer trainings on topics as diverse as nutrition, health, finance and entrepreneurship, leadership development, and ecology customized to their circumstances. Through a program of participatory education (usually 12 weeks), people get to know each other, and leadership cohorts are strengthened. The needs of migrant communities are many and participants in the program work together to shed light on the way forward. Community leaders lead.
Our work with migrant populations in Tijuana is two-fold: first, to empower those who are newly residing in Tijuana, whether permanently or semi-permanently; and second, to facilitate access to the asylum process and other legal pathways of entering the United States. While we offer direct assistance (like food support), we never lose sight of the community development approach. Via Migrante creates paths to self-sufficiency, an approach which saves money, saves lives, and provides REAL SOLUTIONS to migrant communities in the Tijuana border region.
We are proud to report that as a result of Via Migrante, migrants access tools and confidence to make new lives for themselves and their families while networks of shelters and community groups strengthen their capacity to serve.
Our key program partners include:
Paths to Human Dignity in the Migrant Communities
of Baja California
Via Migrante is a border-rooted initiative supporting the well-being, leadership, and future of migrant and repatriated communities in Tijuana. We work in partnership with shelters across the city, from family shelters to LGBTQ+ safe spaces and shelters for repatriated men.
Food Security
We prepare and distribute over 30,000 hot, dignified meals each year in collaboration with shelters and migrant kitchens.
Mental Health
We offer trauma-informed care, counseling, and safe spaces for healing.
Leadership Development
We invest in the leadership of migrants themselves, offering stipends, training, and mentorship within our programs.
Comunidad de Luz
Our new shelter for migrant women and children, Comunidad de Luz, is a collaborative project with the Episcopal Church, Vida Joven, and local promotoras. It provides not just housing, but a foundation for healing and rebuilding lives.
The Migrant Kitchens of Tijuana
Every Sunday, our kitchens come alive with color, aroma, and care. Migrants and deported individuals lead the effort—cooking for each other and building community through shared meals.