Border Community Alliance is bridging the border and fostering binational community through education, collaboration and cultural exchange.
We focus on the borderlands region of Southern Arizona and Sonora, Mexico. We are inspired to share with the public the “good news” of the borderlands region. Our vision of the borderlands is a vibrant place of collaborative discovery.
Photography: Rocio Preciado
Photography: Robert Castagna
Our Impact
Social investment in Sonora, Mexico border communities totaling over $750,000 dollars, including for programs that serve migrants, the disabled, the elderly, children, and others.
Outreach to thousands of residents through our Borderlands Forums and Breakfast & the Border series, which focus on cultural, historical, environmental, and public policy topics related to the border region.
Impact on youth through our Borderlands Ambassador Internship program and cross-border day tours, which encourages awareness of the borderlands region among high school and college-age students from across Arizona and the country.
Hundreds of educational tours on both sides of the border, with an emphasis on social investment and cultural and historical awareness of the southern Arizona and northern Mexico border region.
Our virtual Borderlands Literature and Film Circle has engaged our audiences in talks with over 80 borderlands authors and filmmakers and over a thousand online participants.
Hundreds of students have learned Spanish through our Let’s Speak Spanish program, designed for all ages and skill levels.
Thousands of BCA members have joined our organization over the past decade. We currently have members residing in 32 states.
Our Values
We believe in social investment to elevate a strong sense of international community, not charity.
We seek to listen and learn from each other, rather than presume we know it all.
We respect the cultures and traditions of both Mexico and the United States and advocate for wider public knowledge.
We value working together with like-minded organizations and individuals on both sides of the border.
We welcome participation in our programs regardless of one’s viewpoint on divisive issues.
Our History
BCA was incorporated in 2013 in the state of Arizona and our board members reside in various states. Our office is in Tubac, Arizona, a community forty miles south of Tucson and twenty miles north of the US-Mexico border.
Border Community Alliance grew out of relationships with people who wanted to promote binational relationships between non-profit organizations. They sought to encourage a more balanced narrative about Mexico to replace the media’s narrow focus of drugs, violence and immigration. From the beginning, BCA has had a close relationship with FESAC, a Mexican community foundation. Through this and other partnerships, BCA’s program was created, including the cross border tour program, the Borderlands Forum and student internship program.
Bob Phillips was BCA’s founding Executive Director. In 2015, Bob transitioned into the role of Founding Director and Senior Consultant and in 2016, Jerry Haas became Executive Director and Co-Chair of the Board with Marty Bronstein. In 2021, Celia Bavier became Executive Director. Jerry Haas remains as Senior Advisor to the Board. We are a 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit organization with no religious or political affiliations. BCA depends on donations and grants for funding.
Our Partner: FESAC
FESAC (Fundación del Empresariado Sonorense A.C.) is an independent community foundation, in Nogales, Sonora. FESAC is dedicated to meeting the most pressing needs of the community, generating opportunities for development and improving the quality of life in Sonora. BCA and FESAC have maintained a close relationship since our founding. FESAC helps BCA build relationships with community organizations in Nogales, including the ones we visit on our Social Investment Tours. Our unique arrangement allows BCA serve as a “pass-through” organization for people in the U.S. who wish to donate to community organizations in Nogales, totaling over half a million dollars in the past decade. FESAC also supports our Borderlands Ambassador Internship Program by helping place interns for service learning projects. We are proud to work with FESAC to lift up the community in Nogales through a strategy of social investment, not charity.
Board of Directors
Oscar Cardenas
Board Member
Connie Counter
Board Member
Gary Chambers
Board Member
Dusty DeHaven
Secretary
Tim Dornfeld
Board Member
Quinn Jones
Board Member
Allison Kreis
Board Member
José A. López
Board Member
Staff
Celia Bavier
Executive Director
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Celia has worked in program management, fundraising, communications and advocacy within the nonprofit world for much of her career. For the past several years, she worked on borderlands issues for area nonprofits, including No More Deaths/ No Más Muertes and the Center for Biological Diversity, both based in Tucson, AZ. She enjoys bringing people together through common interests and values and through a love of learning and community.
"I am thrilled to work with the committed staff, Board and volunteers at Border Community Alliance to promote the positive nature of the border region and all that it has to offer. Through the arts, history, language, social investment and advocacy, BCA works to foster a sense of shared culture and community that transcends human-made borders, politics and public policy. The work of BCA is ambitious, but yet practical, and I look forward to working towards its mission, engaging with residents of southern Arizona and as well as visitors curious about the region."
Anne Gibson
Tours Coordinator
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Anne is a 3rd generation Southern Arizona native, living on her family's historic Mexican Land Grant ranch in Elgin, AZ. Having spent her lifetime traversing the border and being raised in the cross-border culture she's a true advocate of the mission of the Border Community Alliance.
"Our Mexican neighbors have enriched our lives and contribute so much to our lifestyle; we need to spread the word of respect and compassion. My experiences from the many (7+) BCA tours I attended before being awarded this position inspire and generate my enthusiasm. I can't wait to share all of this with you!" I welcome your suggestions for potential tours.
Ellie Lindberg
Office Manager
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I first started learning about the US-Mexico borderlands as a History student participating in an immersive program in Tucson. Learning about the history of the borderlands and local movements for justice changed my worldview and inspired me to return to the area in 2021. I joined the humanitarian aid group No More Deaths as a volunteer and later as a fundraising coordinator. After my recent move to Nogales, Sonora, I became interested in the collaboration between BCA and non-profits in Sonora. I am enthusiastic about BCA’s mission to bridge the border through educational events, tours, and internships.
Professional Support of Contract:
Vanessa Haro
Frontera Voices Social Media Intern
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Pam McNutt
financial manager
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Pam started her career in medical clinic management and then shifted to concentrate on financial management and accounting. She has worked in the non-profit sector for over 10 years. She has lived in the borderlands for close to 30 years and has gained a great appreciation for its natural beauty, cultural diversity, and history. She has realized her passion lies in being involved in wonderful organizations doing great things in the world.
“I love working with Border Community Alliance, everyone involved is passionate about the organization and it shows. Their sense of kindness and commitment comes through in all that they do – working with them is truly a joy.”
Amy Tice
borderlands ambassador program supervisor
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Amy is a resident of Searsmont, ME, though recently she has been spending 4-6 months a year in the Borderlands. In addition to being an instructor in the Writing Program at Husson University, Amy is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor. She studies the events in the Arizona borderlands through a social work lens, working towards creating understanding and contributing to an accurate narrative for the people impacted on both sides of the border.
“When my partner and I stumbled upon the BCA office while exploring Tubac, I was immediately drawn to be a part of the organization, as the mission and values are strongly aligned with my own. I am so grateful to be involved with BCA and am thrilled to be coordinating the BCA Borderlands Ambassador Internship Program. It is an honor each summer to accompany young people on a journey of discovery as they experience the vibrance of the region, notice and contribute to the collaboration across borders and walls, and foster community through all of their experiences.”
Suzy Webber
Graphic designer
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Suzy is an artist, musician and Spanish teacher who moved to Arizona for the sunshine and in hopes of getting involved in a positive way with the border situation.
“I love BCA’s mission to bring about change through understanding and compassionate action instead of confrontation.”