Human Rights On the Border 2012

A BorderLinks Trip sponsored by the Mountain Desert District of the Unitarian Universalist Association

Thursday - Sunday, May 3-6th, 2012

The trip will be a service/learning/reflection journey for Unitarian Universalists to engage in the issues of human rights and immigration at the Arizona/Sonora, Mexico border. We will visit with individuals and organizations that provide basic assistance to migrants, create community-based alternatives, and advocate for just policies on both sides of the border. We will meet with people who are directly affected by current economic and immigration policies, and we’ll be given tools and resources to work for justice. There will be ample time for worship, theological reflection, and fellowship while we travel the borderlands of Arizona.

Total trip cost will be $300, not including travel to/from Tucson, AZ.

Space is limited, so register now!

For more information, contact Kierstin Homblette, Community Ministry Intern at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Full information about the trip after the break!

Supporting Documents (PDF):

Please note that the registration form has been updated for youth under 18 traveling with someone other than a parent.

When: May 3-6th, 2012

What: The trip will be a service/learning/reflection journey for Unitarian Universalists to engage in the issues of human rights and immigration at the Arizona/Sonora, Mexico border. We will visit with individuals and organizations that provide basic assistance to migrants, create community-based alternatives, and advocate for just policies on both sides of the border. We will meet with people who are directly affected by current economic and immigration policies, and we’ll be given tools and resources to work for justice. There will be ample time for worship, theological reflection, and fellowship while we travel the borderlands of Arizona.

How much: $300.00, not including travel to Tucson, which is the responsibility of the participant

Maximum number of participants: 26

Registration deadline: March 22^nd, 2012. Registration is in two parts:

1. Registration with and payment made to MDD, either online at www.mdduua.org or via mail.

2. Online registration filled out at www.borderlinks.org. From their website – click on the registration link on the right. Choose full trip registration option. The group name is MDD UUs. Group coordinator email is This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Start date May 3, 2012. The registration form is fairly long and involved, so give yourself about 15 minutes to fill it out.

Participants are not considered registered until we receive their payment in the MDD Office or online.

If you are under 18 years old and not traveling with a parent but instead with an advisor, you must print and submit a registration form via mail and have your parent/guardian’s signature and your DRE’s signature on your registration form. You are not considered registered without these signatures.

You can pay for your registration online using the form below. A PayPal account is not required to use this service.

Mail your registration and payment to:

Mountain Desert District; Melanie Buck, Administrator, 2242 S. Albion Street; Denver, CO 80222.
Note “Human Rights on the Border” in the memo line of your check, or indicate on your form that you paid with Paypal.

You can also email your completed registration form to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , unless you are a youth under 18 traveling with someone other than your parent(s).

Age range: 16 years on up to our elders.

Program: We will start on Thursday at the BorderLinks headquarters in Tucson. BorderLinks (www.borderlinks.org) is a non-profit educational group that has provided education, action, and awareness experiences on the border since 1988.

Transportation: Transportation to Tucson is provided by participants. BorderLinks provides our transportation in Tucson and to/in/from Nogales, Sonora, Mexico on Friday and Saturday.

Housing: Accommodations provided by BorderLinks Thursday, Friday and Saturday night, in dorm-style rooms that sleep between two and four people/room.

Passport: Every participant will need a valid passport or passport card! Check NOW to make sure your passport has not expired and begin the process of obtaining one, if you do not already have one. It can take up to eight weeks. You can find out more information about passports here: http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html.

Food: Meals begin with Thursday evening dinner. All meals are provided. Every effort will be made to honor vegan and gluten-free diets. Be aware that families in Mexico may host some of our meals on Friday and Saturday and meal requests may be harder to honor. Please come prepared with supplemental snacks if you feel that is needed.

Translation: BorderLinks provides translators for the Friday and Saturday portion of our trip.

Pre-packet and preparation: Participants will receive a pre-packet with information on how to prepare and what to pack, several weeks before the trip. There will also be pre-trip reading and centering questions.

Sample itinerary (actual itinerary will vary from what is listed, but this will give you a taste):

Thursday
5:00            Gather at BorderLinks in Tucson. Check-in with registrar. Enjoy refreshments.
5:45            Dinner
6:30            Opening worship
7:00            Grounding ourselves in our community & preparing for our experience (Ice breakers, logistics, leader intros, small group work)
9:00            Closing – get a good nights sleep!

Friday
7:30            Light breakfast
8:30-10:00 Orientation at BorderLinks office
10:15–11:30     Travel to Nogales, Sonora
11:45          Lunch
1:15            Small group reflection
2:30-5:00    Activities in Nogales
5:20            Dinner
6:30            Head to BorderLinks dormitories
7:30            Small group reflection
8:30            Evening worship

Saturday
7:30            Breakfast
8:15            Centering
8:30-12:00 Activities in Nogales
12:30          Lunch
1:30            Small group reflection
2:30            Hands-on activity
5:30            Dinner
6:30            Drive back to Tucson
8:00            Evening reflection and closing worship

Sunday
8:00            Breakfast
9:00            Head to UU Church of Tucson
10:00          Worship service
11:00          Socialize and enjoy lunch
12:30          Closing activities and closing worship
2:00            End. Head to airport or drive away.

Posted Wednesday, 07 March 2012 12:08 Written by Jess Cullinan