AVSI-USA

10/15/2026

“Solidarity isn’t just about giving help—it’s a two-way dialogue where we share achievements, experiences, hope, and our lives together. It is truly friendship beyond borders.”— Socorro, Executive Director of Crecemos

These words capture the heart of AVSI-USA’s Building Bridges Tour: Friendship Beyond Borders as we travel across the country!

Over the past few days in Ohio, Massachusetts, and Arizona, we’ve had the joy of:
--🏫 Connecting with communities: Visiting local schools and gathering with Mexican community members and friends old and new.
--🌮 Sharing life at the table: Enjoying incredible home-cooked barbecue with fresh nopal salad, music, laughter, and kids playing all around us.
--🤝 Building the future: Diving into deep conversations about our shared hopes for raising good children—and dreaming up new ideas, like a pen pal connection between kids in the US and Mexico!

At every stop, we’re reminded that true human development begins with genuine companionship, open doors, and the vibrant life families bring to our mission.
Thank you to everyone who has opened their homes, shared their tables, and welcomed us with open hearts!

10/09/2026

🚌 The Building Bridges Tour is officially on the road! AVSI-USA is traveling across the country to reconnect with old friends, welcome new ones, and share the vibrant impact of our work.

🤝 For us and our longtime partner , "Friendship Beyond Borders" is so much more than a tagline—it’s a shared mission rooted in human dignity, mutual encounter, and long-term commitment. That’s where AVSI-USA comes in: serving as a vital bridge connecting supporters here in the U.S. to partners across 42 countries. Through intimate gatherings in homes and local venues, this tour creates space to share these powerful stories, deepen relationships, and give community leaders the resources and stability they need to keep showing up and creating lasting change.

🎉 We kicked off our journey in Washington, D.C., with a lively week of events that brought this spirit to life. Highlights included:
• Delicious tacos, dancing feet of all ages, and colorful papel picado at our Fall Fiesta
• An unforgettable evening of world-class Mexican cuisine and rich conversation hosted by Chef Alam David Mendez Florian
Moving reflections from Crecemos DIJO Director María del Socorro del Río Angulo and AVSI-USA Director Jacqueline Aldrette reminded us just how powerful a simple, genuine encounter can be in building lifelong partnerships.

🌽 Next stop: Ohio! But wherever you are, we want to bring you along for the journey. Connect or reconnect with us today—send us a message, drop us an email, or tap the link in our bio to subscribe to our newsletter and join the story!

Crecemos - DIJO

10/08/2026

🎶Did you know La Bamba was the first foreign-language song to reach #1 on the Billboard 100? Our DMV Fall Fiesta crowd may not have been millions strong, but that familiar rhythm still got plenty of people on their feet.

For our partners at in Oaxaca, music is an important part of helping children, families, and communities discover their talents and potential, while creating a culture of peace.

That is the heart of our Tour: creating opportunities for encounter and seeing how Friendship Beyond Borders grows when people share life together. Next stop: Ohio!

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🇲🇽 ¿Sabías que “La Bamba” fue la primera canción en un idioma extranjero en llegar al #1 del Billboard Hot 100? Nuestra gente de la Fiesta de Otoño en el DMV quizá no haya sido una multitud de millones, pero ese ritmo tan conocido sí logró poner a muchos de pie.

Para nuestros aliados de en Oaxaca, la música es una parte importante de ayudar a que niñas, niños, familias y comunidades descubran sus talentos y su potencial, al mismo tiempo que construyen una cultura de paz.

Ese es el corazón de nuestro : crear oportunidades de encuentro y descubrir cómo la Amistad Sin Fronteras crece cuando las personas comparten la vida. Próxima parada: Ohio!

10/07/2026

🍁Crisp autumn breezes, 🎉colorful papel picado, and the rhythm of 🎺 “La Bamba” set the scene for AVSI-USA’s Fall Fiesta—an afternoon celebrating friendship, presence, and community.

Between fresh tacos, crafts, music, and laughter across generations, we experienced the joy of a beauty that brings people together. Jackie Aldrette, AVSI-USA Executive Director, and Socorro del Rio, Crecemos Dijo AC Executive Director, shared moving words that reminded us how friendship and love can cross any distance and build bridges beyond borders.
What a beautiful afternoon together—and hopefully the start of a new annual tradition!

🇲🇽 Brizas frescas de otoño, papel picado y el ritmo de “La Bamba” le dieron vida a la Fall Fiesta de AVSI-USA: una tarde para celebrar la amistad, la presencia y la comunidad.

Entre tacos recién hechos, manualidades, música y risas de todas las edades, vivimos la alegría de esa belleza que nos une. Jackie Aldrette, directora ejecutiva de AVSI-USA, y Socorro del Río, directora ejecutiva de Crecemos DIJO (Crecemos Dijo AC), compartieron unas palabras muy emotivas que nos recordaron cómo la amistad y el amor cruzan cualquier distancia y tienden puentes más allá de las fronteras. ¡Qué tarde tan bonita pasamos juntos y ojalá sea el inicio de una nueva tradición anual!

10/02/2026

When eight-year-old Arleth Guzmán first arrived at Crecemos’ María Guadalupe Community Center in Monte Albán, Oaxaca, she kept her distance. Struggling to socialize and unaccustomed to nutritious foods, she often sat alone at breakfast, holding unchewed vegetables in her mouth until she could step outside to the safety of the playground.

The need for connection and belonging was right there, waiting to be awakened—and the team at Crecemos met Arleth right where she was. Every morning, staff members sat beside her. Through patient, daily accompaniment, they offered gentle presence, sharing how good food helps bodies grow strong so children can run, play, and thrive. Side-by-side with her mother, Crecemos built personalized nutrition habits that brought health back home, slowly building Arleth’s confidence to open her heart to friendship.

Through this shared journey, the change took root. Today, the morning air is filled with the bright, ringing sound of Arleth’s laughter. She sits surrounded by friends—confidently smiling, playing, and sharing meals.

This is the power of daily accompaniment. AVSI-USA builds bridges between American supporters and key local organizations like Crecemos through our Opportunity Program—investing in long-term partnerships rooted in human dignity and love.

And tomorrow, the story comes directly to you! We kick off the AVSI-USA Building Bridges Tour TOMORROW, October 2nd, right here in Washington, D.C. with our Fall Fiesta! Join us to meet Socorro Del Rio, Executive Director of Crecemos, hear these powerful stories firsthand, and celebrate friendship beyond borders.

📍 Tour Stops: Washington, D.C. • Columbus • Cincinnati • Phoenix • Boston • Madison • New York

Come meet us in person or follow along as we share the journey online.

Crecemos - DIJO Crecemos AC

10/01/2026

📣 We’re hitting the road!

At AVSI-USA, we believe that real change begins with authentic relationships and a shared recognition of human dignity. This October, we are embarking on the Building Bridges Tour: Friendship beyond borders—and we want to meet you along the way!

We are honored to be traveling across the U.S. with Socorro Del Rio, Executive Director of Crecemos - DIJO in Oaxaca, Mexico. Come hear how her team lives out a mission of human dignity, enduring hope, and peace, creating vibrant spaces where children and families discover their true worth.

📍 Catch us on tour this month:
• Washington, DC: Oct 2–7
• Columbus, OH: Oct 8–9
• Cincinnati, OH: Oct 10
• Phoenix, AZ: Oct 11–12
• Boston, MA: Oct 13–14
• Madison, CT: Oct 15
• New York, NY: Oct 16–17

🤝 Want to get involved?
You can help bring this message to life in your community by hosting or planning a local gathering—whether it’s a parish witness, dinner, mini-concert, or informal get-together!

🔗 Join us in person or online to encounter powerful stories from the field and build bridges together. Visit avsi-usa.org to learn more!

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06/26/2026

🚨 EMERGENCY VENEZUELA

Two of magnitude 7.1 and 7.5 hit northern .
Thousands have lost their homes. Hospitals, roads and essential infrastructure are severely damaged. Hundreds of thousands of people will need drinking water, food, medical care and shelter.

In a country already marked by a serious humanitarian crisis, this new emergency is making the lives of millions of people even harder. AVSI is stepping up to bring relief to affected communities.

Support emergency response ⬇️

Earthquake in Venezuela: It’s an EmergencyTwo strong earthquakes, measuring 7.1 and 7.5 in magnitude, have struck northern Venezuela, causing extensive damage and leaving thousands of people without homes or access to essential services.The impact...

03/28/2026

The situation in Lebanon is rapidly worsening. About 2 million people have been displaced, and the number is expected to keep on rising.
Many areas of South Lebanon are now nearly deserted after residents fled the violence to seek shelter in the North.

That’s why we moved our supply from AVSI’s community center FADAI in the South to the North, to help as many people as we can.

Listen to the testimony from Francesca Lazzari, AVSI representative in Lebanon and help us as you can.

Donate now to stand with us in this emergency
🔗 https://donorbox.org/create-waves-of-hope-bring-light-to-southern-lebanon

03/27/2026

End of , far from home.

Maryam spent in a school turned into a shelter in Keserwan, north of , after fleeing Dahieh, one of the areas most affected by the escalation of the war. She left with her daughters. Her eldest is afraid. "Psychologically, we are exhausted. But we keep going."

disrupts daily life, fragments communities, and denies children access to education, exposing them to significant psychological stress. In shelters, activities led by AVSI Middle East and North Africa for children provide spaces of continuity and support.

💚 Donate today: https://donorbox.org/create-waves-of-hope-bring-light-to-southern-lebanon

03/19/2026

At Ajaltoun Technical High School, classrooms have been turned into temporary for families fleeing the escalation of the conflict.
Mariana returns to this shelter where she gave birth two years ago.

AVSI is distributing hygiene kits to families who have just arrived in search of a safe place.

Across the country, more than 287 schools are hosting displaced people, while over 90,000 children do not have access to .

Families need essential goods, kits for , water, and basic support to live with dignity.

To donate visit https://avsi-usa.org/donate-now/.