Over the past ten months, the Border Dignity Project has grown from a vision into a living ministry of hope, compassion, and solidarity. Through a strong partnership with CESFOM (Centro Scalabrini de Formación para Migrantes/Scalabrini Formation Center for Migrants) and alongside other organizations committed to social justice in Tijuana, the project has expanded opportunities for migrants through educational programs and professional job training skills. Together, we have accompanied people from many walks of life, particularly LGBTQ+ individuals, Haitian families, and migrants from across the Globe, with the mission of affirming their dignity, nurturing their gifts, and helping build pathways toward a more hopeful and stable present-future.
On June 20, CESFOM joyfully celebrated five years of serving the Tijuana community. During this special anniversary gathering, CESFOM honored the Border Dignity Project as one of its valued sponsors and trusted ministry partners. This recognition is a testament to what can happen when communities come together across borders, cultures, and experiences to embody justice, hospitality, care for one another, and human dignity.
The plaque engraves the following script: ‘The Scalabrini Formation Center for Migrants thanks the Disciples of Christ for believing, supporting, and being part of the Scalabrini mission; with deep appreciation to University Christian Church, Week of Compassion, DOC Pacific Southwest Region, and Southern California-Nevada Conference of the United Church of Christ.’
As Program Director, I give thanks for all who have made this ecumenical ministry at the border possible (all the sponsors mentioned on the plaque) and look forward with hope to the many lives that will continue to be transformed through this shared work of compassion, accompaniment, and belonging. May this milestone be only the beginning of this ministry that highlights voices and narratives at the border in the line of dignity and justice.
In the spirit of Justice and Care,
Rev. Diego Salazar-Galvis
Program Director
Border Dignity Project
Disciples of Christ /United Church of Christ
