Kino Border Initiative (KBI) Board Begins Search for Next Executive Director
Nogales, Arizona and Nogales, Sonora, Mexico – September 15, 2020 — Fr. Sean Carroll, SJ, longtime Executive Director of the Kino Border Initiative (KBI), a binational ministry that provides humanitarian assistance to migrants at the border in Nogales, Sonora, Mexico, will step down in March of 2021, it was announced today.
Named in honor of Eusebio Kino, a 17th-century Jesuit missionary who ministered in Sonora, KBI was founded in January 2009 by the Jesuits and five other religious groups on both sides of the border. Fr. Carroll has served as the organization’s Executive Director since its founding.
During Fr. Carroll’s tenure, KBI has grown from a modest comedor (dining room) serving a small number of migrants per day to an organization that last year provided 131,725 meals to men, women and children who were recently deported and others seeking asylum in the U.S. Most recently, Fr. Carroll led a $2.8 million campaign to purchase and remodel a building in Nogales, Sonora, Mexico, to serve as the KBI’s new migrant outreach center. The 18,000-square-foot building, which was inaugurated in February of this year, provides overnight shelter for more than 100 people as well as services including first aid, legal support and pastoral accompaniment.
“Sean Carroll has been a champion for our undocumented brothers and sisters – both on the ground at the KBI’s outreach center in Mexico and on Capitol Hill where he has been a relentless, tireless advocate for humane treatment for migrants,” said Fr. Scott Santarosa, SJ, Provincial, Jesuits West. “Sean has walked alongside the least among us and shown them the face of God, and I am proud and humbled to call him my brother.”
“The impact of Sean’s work on improving the lives of migrants has been monumental,” said Steve Haydukovich, Chair of the KBI Board of Directors. “During his tenure, he built a first-class binational organization from the ground up. Through his leadership and vision, KBI is poised for a greater level of service than ever before. As Father Kino made his impact on the Sonoran region, Sean too leaves a lasting legacy of hope and promise. He has established a foundation for us to continue doing God’s work in this important ministry, and there are no words to express our gratitude.”
The Missionary Sisters of the Eucharist, who minister in Nogales, Sonora, Mexico, were instrumental in KBI’s founding and have worked alongside Fr. Carroll for the last dozen years. Speaking on behalf of her community, Sister Diana Rubio, M.E., Superior General of the Missionary Sisters, said, “Fr. Sean has enriched this project with a leadership that made it possible to construct bridges among the staff, the migrants, volunteers and benefactors — these are bridges of solidarity, hope, safety, dignity and compassion. We are grateful for having shared this time with him. While we will miss him, we know that God will continue to bless his next mission.”
Regarding his plans, Fr. Carroll said that he is actively discerning his next mission with his provincial, Fr. Santarosa, just as they discerned that the time was right for him to step down. “It has been a great honor and a blessing to serve as the Kino Border Initiative’s first Executive Director,” said Fr. Carroll. “I am grateful for the dedicated men and women who have served with me throughout the years. KBI has a very bright future, and it will continue to fulfill its important mission to be a humanizing presence on the U.S.-Mexico border and to foster binational solidarity on the issue of migration.”
According to Board Chairman Haydukovich, a search for KBI’s new executive director will begin soon.
What a wonderful organization. Best to you Father Sean in your ongoing journey.
I met him twice in my lifetime and I truly admire and honored to know him. He made a difference in so many peoples lives. Thank you for your hospitality to my brothers and sisters in christ. Chicago illinois
A big thankyou to Fr. Carroll… not enough, I know,, but from the bottom of my heart…
Father Caroll I pray that the Holy Spirit continue blessing you and show you the way to your next mission to continue serving God’s people.
Thank you for all your years of service in the border communities.
Dear Father Carroll, you will be missed and remain in our hearts. Where ever your path leads you, please be sure and visit a PBS station and connect with many good people as you did in AZ. God Bless
Fr Sean. it’s difficult to envision KBI without your continuing presence and leadership! You have been an unfathomable blessing and inspiration to countless numbers of migrants, volunteers, benefactors, and the Staff of KBI.
Blessings on your discernment and your new mission!
Father, we will miss you greatly. Your vision and energy have built this organization. We are proud to have been a small part of it. I know you will be equally successful in your next endeavor
Thanks so much, Pete, for your words of encouragement and support! It has been a great blessing to be part of the Kino Border Initiative over these years! Hopefully, there is an opportunity to have coffee with you before I leave in March! Take care and all the best! -Fr. Sean
Fr. Sean,
I am sad to hear that you are stepping down, but I know God has other great plans for you. I consider it a privilege to have worked with you a bit and gotten to know you a little( still have the picture from when you guys came to my house for dinner). I know you will be greatly missed. God’s blessings to you.
Thanks so much, Mary for your words of encouragement and support! God is truly at work and will definitely lead KBI into the future! Take care and God bless! –Fr. Sean.
Dear Fr. Sean, you have served with such grace and compassion and it was humbling to see your dedication to walking with our migrant brothers and sisters. Every time God has called you and you have answered. Thank you for helping us all see Christ in the people you have served. May God continue to bless your works and keep you safe.
Thanks for your leadership and ministry. You have “big shoes” to fill. May you continue your love of and service for those who need advocacy.
Blessings.
Bendiciones Bendiciones Padre. Gracias por su participación en “Rompiendo Las Aguas” en Radio María. Gracias….Host of Rompiendo Las Aguas.
Fr. Sean,
Susan and I , as well as our entire family, consider it an honor and pleasure to have known and worked with you all these years. While you will certainly be missed, you have built a firm foundation at KBI . May God continue to bless you and yours as you discern the next adventure He has in store for you. Thanks for all the kindnesses and prayers you bestowed upon our entire family. We will continue to keep you in our prayers. All the best in the future. Hope we can break bread before your March departure.
Hi, Sean! Thanks for your service and all the kindness that you show at KBI. Fue un gusto enorme participar con ustedes en ese Proyecto. Mis mejores deseos, mis oraciones para ti en tu próximo destino, se que harás un gran trabajo. A.M.D.G. M. Mc Intosh, S.I.