Get Involved
Below are opportunities for individuals who want to volunteer for more time than a Saturday shelter outreach trip.
For in person volunteers, we ask they be vaccinated and registered. Registered volunteers will receive a confirmation email with a date and meet-up information 1-2 weeks prior to trip date.
Unregistered volunteers will be turned away secondary to COVID19 safety and licensure concerns.
Application Deadline
Applications can be submitted at any time. If there is a need for volunteers, applicants will be notified by email for an interview. Please note that due to the pandemic, we are limiting the number of volunteers we can have at one time.
Saturday Shelter Volunteer
Come join the RHA as a volunteer in Tijuana! We have regular volunteer opportunities at the San Ysidro Border Crossing. We meet at the following address at 8:00 AM.
4463 Camino De La Plaza #111, San Ysidro, CA 92173
If you wish to become a volunteer, please sign up using the link below!
On the Ground Resistencia General Volunteer Opportunities
Requirements:
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Must be able to provide their own housing and transportation. Subsidized housing may be available for those in financial need. Please indicate in the “Additional Notes” section of your application if you would like to apply. Must be proficient in Spanish or bring/hire own translator
Responsibilities
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Triaging (must be proficient in Spanish), organizing donations, running errands (such as buying supplies), ultimately helping wherever is needed
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If you are an MS4 and would like to help see patients, please indicate that in the “Additional Notes” section of your application.
Application deadline: Applications can be submitted at any time. If there is a need for volunteers, applicants will be notified by email for an interview. Please note that due to the pandemic, we are limiting the number of volunteers we can have at one time.
Remote Mental Health Services
Provide psychosocial skills and support to individual migrants remotely or psychiatry in consultation with on the ground health providers support (BIG NEED given lack of psychiatrists across Mexico). Occasionally, there are also opportunities to help with other remote mental health projects. Please email mmotamedi@refugeehealthalliance.org if you are interested in helping with our mental health efforts
Grant and Partnerships Coordinator Volunteer Position (Remote)
The Refugee Health Alliance is looking for dedicated health justice advocates with excellent writing skills to become Grants and Partnerships Coordinators (GPC)! As thousands of migrants are lining up along the Tijuana border in the hopes of finding refuge from being violently persecuted in their hometowns under dire conditions, the need for donations to meet the needs of this population has mushroomed. A GPC assists with writing and applying for grants, fundraising for the work we do in Tijuana, and helps in networking and collaborating with organizations in the US and Tijuana. Previous grant writing experience is preferred, but not required. You can find a list of responsibilities and preferred skills below. Please send us a sample of your writing (either with a previous grant application or another persuasive essay/writing piece) along with your completed application.
On the Ground Saturday Shelter Coordinator Application
This form is intended for volunteers specifically interested in serving as an On the Ground Saturday Shelter Coordinator for the Refugee Health Alliance. Please click here to review the volunteer position description & requirements:
As mentioned in the position description, we are asking for a minimum of 6 months commitment.
NOTE: We are currently not accepting applications for Saturday Coordinators. Please check back in the Spring!
Resident elective with RHA
Duration: 2 (minimum) - 4 weeks
Role and responsibilities: This is a 2 to 4 week resident rotation for internal medicine, family medicine, pediatrics, emergency medicine or obgyn residents. The day to day responsibilities includes clinical work at the Refugee Health Alliance clinic Monday-Friday (9am-2pm) during which time you will see approximately 15-30 patients a day, a quality improvement project, and a teaching requirement. All unlicensed residents who are not independent practitioners in their own states will be supervised by a licensed provider.
Requirements: Must be at least a PGY-2. Must be able to commit at least 2 weeks but ideally 4 weeks of elective time. Spanish language proficiency (able to do interview and medical charting in Spanish) or an independent plan for translation services is required.
About the clinic: Refugee Health Alliances serves vulnerable patients at the US-Mexico border, primarily refugees currently awaiting to present themselves for asylum. There are a wide range of medical conditions seen at the clinic, including anything from viral upper respiratory tract infections to more complicated management of chronic diseases (eg HTN, DM). We see a cohort of prenatal patients and assist them throughout their pregnancies along with a local midwife. RHA also serves the LGBTQIA+ refugee community, with provision of culturally competent services and hormonal therapy. In addition to refugees, the clinic also serves a variety of populations a the border including deportees and internally displaced individuals. This includes the provision of harm reduction services. At the clinic we also perform minor procedures such as I&D of abscesses, Nexplanon removals, chronic wound care, lipoma excisions, laceration repairs, toe nail removals, etc.
Skills you will learn: As a resident rotator you will have the unique privilege of serving an under-resourced population. You will have the opportunity to learn about trauma-informed care, immigration/refugee health care, LGBTQIA+ heath, prenatal care, and care in low resource settings.
Safety: While Tijuana can be a dangerous place, previous resident volunteers have felt very comfortable staying/living in Tijuana for the month. Please use your best judgement while staying in Tijuana. Chose a place to live that is close to clinic and avoid walking along after dark. However, if using common sense and judgment, no residents have had any safety issues while staying in Tijuana.
Housing: There are plenty of hotels and airbnbs available in Tijuana very close to clinic. There is also the option of staying in San Diego although this would involve a longer commute in the morning.
Cost: RHA is not able to provide funding for residents at this time, thus the cost of housing, food and transportation to and from the rotation falls to the resident. However, many programs offer funding for residents to participate in abroad electives. We ask that residents attempt to fundraise for the clinic in advance of their rotation. Please ask your specific residency program about funding opportunities.
For more information, please contact medrotations@refugeehealthalliance.org