KBI June Announcements

As World Refugee Day approaches, we share information about the day’s significance as well as KBI news about: a celebration of volunteers; Father Sean’s honorary doctorate; upcoming Leadership Days; a reflection on the KBI’s mission; recent immersion experiences; and board meeting highlights.

• World Refugee Day: June 20 marks World Refugee Day, an annual day to raise awareness of our shared responsibility to protect the rights of refugees. Sponsored by the United Nations since 2001, with commemorations around the globe, the day reminds us to be mindful of the 65 million migrants and refugees worldwide and work on behalf of their welfare. Read more about World Refugee Day at: http://www.un.org/en/events/refugeeday/. And stand with refugees by signing the U.N. petition at: http://www.unhcr.org/refugeeday/us/.
• Annual Thank You Celebration: The KBI honored our volunteers with a celebration at El Rancho Bellotoso in Nogales, Sonora. We are ever-grateful for the service of these wonderful volunteers who make our work possible and keep the doors of the comedor open 365 days a year. Enjoy photos from the celebration here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1437620946317847.1073741837.107724095974212&type=1&l=2b4f7efc2a
• Honorary Doctorate for Father Sean: Fairfield University in Connecticut presented Father Sean Carroll, S.J. with an honorary doctorate in acknowledgement of his work with the KBI. Read more about Fairfield’s commencement celebration here: http://news.fairfield.edu/topstories/topstoryheadline,156190,en.html.
• Kino Teens Leadership Days: Our second annual Kino Teens Leadership Days is happening in late June. This five-day conference of 15 students from 10 high schools across the U.S. includes workshops, presentations, and hands-on experience about the reality of the border and ways to accompany migrants, and helps to establish a network of young leaders dedicated to affecting change. We are so proud of these bright and engaged young people!
• A Word about the Work of the KBI: After the success of the KBI’s Annual Fundraising Dinner in March, Board President Lucy Howell was inspired to write a summary of the KBI’s mission and work for a wider audience: https://ivcusa.org/2017/05/ignatian-volunteer-reflects-on-kino-border-initiative-nogales-azsonora/. And we wish to thank Karla for her work on the Dinner Committee, and artist Hilario Gutierrez for donating a painting to the silent auction, with apologies for these omissions in our last newsletter.
• Immersion Experiences: Even as the summer heat takes hold, the KBI continues its immersion program with three student groups visiting during May.

• KBI Board Meeting Highlights: The May 25 KBI board meeting covered various committee reports, the KBI/Florence Project legal fellow who will work with asylum seekers starting in August, and ways to continue to meet the changing needs of deported migrants who arrive at the comedor and shelter.