Volunteer & Leadership Arizona-Mexico

Join us in the Arizona-Mexico border region and witness firsthand the challenges of development where global inequality is front and center. You’ll begin with skills training at the Arizona Wind-Song Leadership Center and then venture south into Mexico for a homestay with a local family. Arizona and Northern Mexico share a similarly breathtaking natural environment that acts as a backdrop for two strikingly different cultures. Explore contrasts and challenges by volunteering on both sides of the massive wall that divides the small border cities of Nogales, Sonora and Agua Prieta.

Delve into life in Nogales, Mexico

Drive fifteen minutes from Arizona Wind-Song and the brightly coloured and bustling markets of Nogales, Mexico come into view. During an extended stay in Mexico, you will live with local families in structured homestays and volunteer in a youth migrant shelter, a primary school and a fair trade coffee cooperative. You’ll work side by side with community members as you undertake environmental projects, construction efforts and youth programming initiatives to benefit local communities. Your efforts will provide help where it is needed most while giving you a firsthand glimpse into the most critical issues faced by those living in the border region: poverty, immigration and development.

Arizona Wind-Song Leadership Center

The Arizona Wind-Song Leadership Center is based at the ranch of Mrs. Virginia Benderly, your humble and gracious host. Armed with a keen wit but gentle words, Gini adds spice to every aspect of our leadership program through her storytelling and music. After long days of leadership training or volunteering, the center’s natural beauty and solitude create the perfect environment for a guided hike, a meal and a night’s rest.

Leadership and Community Building in Arizona

During your stay at Arizona-Windsong, your facilitators and insightful guest speakers will share their expertise on a wide range of topics, such as United States immigration policy, the region’s colourful history and Native American storytelling. Intensive leadership and advocacy skills training will push you to build self-knowledge, analyze global issues and think outside the box to equip you as an effective activist.

While in Arizona you’ll have the chance to give back to the communities north of the border by volunteering at local charitable organizations such as eco-sanctuaries.

Are you ready to explore issues of poverty, inequality and development while learning effective techniques for social activism? Then this is the life-changing experience you’re looking for!

Trip highlights

  • Community development: Volunteer at a local migrant shelter, a fair trade cooperative and a community building project
  • Leadership training: Expand your skills with hands-on training
  • Issues education: Gain insight into critical social issues in the border region
  • Natural exploration: Enrich your mind and body with guided desert hikes
  • Cultural education: Build bonds with your new family in Mexico

Volunteer & Leadership Arizona is waiting for you!
Find out what trips are offered this year

Arizona-Mexico Trip information package
2008 Application package
2009 Application package
Fundraising package
View Arizona Wind-Song

For more information please contact trips@leaderstoday.com