Giving Tuesday: Wilderness First Responder Training

This Giving Tuesday, we ask you to stand with us in a mission that saves lives. The need is urgent, and your support can make a real difference.

As a nonprofit dedicated to humanitarian aid along the US-Mexico border, we provide vital items to those making the dangerous journey through the desert. One of our most important initiatives is the Wilderness First Responder (WFR) program. This training prepares volunteers to provide emergency medical care in remote and austere environments, where access to healthcare is often delayed or unavailable. Originally designed for wilderness guides and search-and-rescue professionals, WFR training is now an essential resource for our borderland community workers—volunteers who risk their lives to offer support and compassion to those crossing.

Since the implementation of Operation Gatekeeper in 1994,  an estimated 11,000 people have lost their lives while making their migration journey, due to extreme weather, lack of food and water, and the overall perilous nature of the trip. This year alone, we directly assisted the families of eleven individuals in returning their bodies and remains to their country of origin. Our Water Drop program continues to find signs of those trying to survive—consumed items, discarded clothing, and more—reminders of the perilous conditions these travelers face. They need our help, and through programs like Water Drops, we work tirelessly to prevent unnecessary deaths.

The need for well-trained, safe, and prepared volunteers has never been more urgent. That's where your generosity comes in.

How can you help?

This Giving Tuesday, your donation will directly support our Water Drop safety monitors and volunteers by covering the costs of Wilderness First Responder training, travel accommodations, food, and lodging. Your gift ensures that our volunteers are equipped to respond to emergencies effectively and, most importantly, safely.

When you donate, you’re not just contributing to a program; you’re helping to save lives in one of the most dangerous environments in the world.

Your support this Giving Tuesday will directly help prepare our volunteers to respond quickly and effectively in life-or-death situations.

Please consider making a donation today to help ensure our Water Drop teams are as prepared as possible to save lives in the borderlands. With your help, we can continue to offer life-saving aid in the desert and help those who need it most.

Thank you for your compassion and generosity.