Now more than ever, your support is critical in helping us expand our physical space to meet the complex needs of the migrant population of today and the future. Join us in making a lasting impact at the border—together, we can create a space of hope and possibility for those seeking a better future.
$3,301,780 USD raised to date, of our $3,600,000 USD goal!
Please make checks payable to Kino Border Initiative and mail to: PO Box 159, Nogales, AZ 85628-0159 with “Migrant Community Campus” in the memo
Expanding our Footprint in Nogales: KBI’s Migrant Community Campus
The Evolution of the Migrant Community Campus
The Decision to Grow Deeper in Accompaniment in Nogales
In 2021, as we looked ahead to the future of KBI, we faced a defining question: Should we expand our footprint to other border cities, or should we deepen our presence where we began? Our answer was clear and unwavering. We chose to remain locally rooted in the Nogales community. Instead of expanding geographically, we decided to anchor ourselves more profoundly in this specific community. The Migrant Community Campus is a direct result of that choice—a physical testament to our commitment to grow deeper, not wider.
Celebrating our Roots in Nogales
Our deep connection to Nogales began in 2009 with a simple, immediate response to human suffering: serving a single hot plate of food to a migrant in need. Initiated by the Sisters of the Eucharist and strengthened by the Jesuit traditions of justice and solidarity, our entire ministry operated out of the old comedor from 2009 until 2020. It was a space where deported migrants could quickly find a warm meal, clean clothes, and immediate medical attention. More importantly, the old comedor taught us how to listen, how to serve, and how to build community.
2020: The Transition to the Migrant Outreach Center
In 2020, we moved across the street from the comedor and into the Migrant Community Center. Beyond simply offering a larger building, this move allowed us for the first time to have dedicated spaces to separate our services. These included private rooms for intakes, legal consultations, medical treatments, on-site shelter space, and classrooms.
This new facility allowed us to expand and enhance our services beyond humanitarian aid. We stepped into a ministry of holistic accompaniment to serve the whole person. With this new space, we could systematically organize our care and lay the groundwork for what would become the next evolutionary step in KBI’s path: the Migrant Community Campus.
KBI’s Next Chapter: The Migrant Community Campus
The Migrant Community Campus is the physical manifestation of our deepening commitment to holistic accompaniment and more deeply root ourselves in the Nogales community. Upon completion, the 2-acre campus will feature these key spaces :
- Well-Being & Wellness Areas: Landscaped green spaces and courtyards featuring native trees and plants, combined with contemplative spiritual areas, Way of the Cross walking path, chapel, and outdoor reflection space to foster mental peace, quiet prayer, and emotional wellness
- Recreational Areas: Dedicated outdoor spaces designed to support play and physical activity, ensuring individuals, families, and children have safe, open environments to reflect, exercise, and gather
- Migrant Service Areas: Expanded infrastructure providing private, confidential areas for legal aid orientations, social workers and casework, and psychological accompaniment as well as a dedicated medical clinic, accessible showers, increased housing areas for vulnerable families, and a dignified waiting area
- Flexible Community Spaces: Multi-purpose areas specifically designed to adapt to daily needs—hosting everything from workshops and legal orientations to accredited job-training classes (sewing, baking, computer literacy), to children’s activites, etc.
- Public Spaces: Open, welcoming community areas and shaded outdoor pavilion to foster natural encounter, conversation, and mutual solidarity among migrants and the local Nogales community
- Staff & Guest Areas: Dignified, functional workspaces and break areas designed to support the well-being of our growing team
- Off-Site Volunteer House: A newly developed, dedicated residential space built off-site to safely house the long-term volunteers who keep so many of our daily campus operations running
Conceptual Designs for the Migrant Community Campus
Birds’ eye view of the full 2 acre campus
Enhanced and secured entrance to the full Migrant Community Campus
Waiting area for showers overlooking the inner courtyard
Inner courtyard directly connected to the waiting area that provides access to other buildings and spaces throughout the campus
Medical clinic with enhanced accessibility
Aerial view of project showcasing the flex space buildng in the center of the campus and incorporation of outdoor spaces, courtyards, greenery, etc.
Inside the flex space building, which will be utilized for job training workshops and classes as well as large gatherings, such as “Kino town halls,” legal orientations, children’s camps, etc. Flex space can be partitioned into 4 smaller classroom or gathering areas depending on programming and need
Children’s play area directly outside of the flex space building
View of playground from the corner of the courtyard next to the toddler room
To the left, toddler room appropriately equipped for younger clients. To the right: eating and gathering space with a traditional kitchen to be utilized for informal gatherings, carne asadas, hosting small birthday parties, etc.
Aerial view of the south end of the campus
Esplanades leading to the covered pavilion
Pavilion area to be utilized for local events and gatherings such as international food fairs, artisan markets, job fairs, concerts, plays, exercise classes, soccer games, and beyond!
Way of the Cross walking path with benches/stations along the way and a hillside reflection and vista point
Community garden at the bottom of the hill utilizing rainwater catchment system
Migrant Hopes for the Migrant Community Campus
“In Guerrero, there was a big, open park where [my children] would play… They would come home so tired they would go to bed early! Here they certainly don’t get bored, but at 10:00 p.m. they still have energy. It’s all enclosed… It would be a dream to see them play among the trees again.” – Liliana, migrant mother of 3
Construction Progress Updates
Construction is moving fast. Here is a look at the the recent, major updates:
- Framing Completed: All primary interior spaces are framed out with core pillars are securely in place.
- Roofing Underway: Crews have begun building the overhead roof structure and the roof of the flex space and workshop area has begun.
- Brickwork Progress: Walls for the shower area, courtyard-facing waiting room, and the flex space and workshop are nearly complete.
- Pavilion Framework: The foundational metal framework for the outdoor pavilion is fully assembled and roofing secured.
Beyond the physical structure, we are already planning how to make this campus feel more welcoming, vibrant, and alive. Our team recently conducted site walkthroughs with both our landscape architect and our muralist to further influence and inspire their full vision to beautify this entire campus.
