Gil Gillenwater explores work on U.S.-Mexico border in new book

Gil Gillenwater, the author of the book “Hope on the Border,” joined “Horizonte” to discuss his new book.

Gillenwater said his book is based on his decades of work on the U.S.-Mexico border with the Rancho Feliz Charitable Foundation. Gillenwater is the founder and president of the award-winning foundation, which has reimagined border philanthropy since 1987.

His group gives money to those on the border and also arranges trips to expose service groups and families to the hard life lived by many just south of the border.

In 1987, Gillenwater and his brother set out on a simple trip to deliver supplies to Nogales. They took a wrong turn and ended up in Agua Prieta, Mexico.

“They go from $18 an hour, $16 an hour minimum wage, to $14 a day. How do you raise a family on $14 a day? How do you survive?” Gillenwater asked.

Gillenwater is quick to challenge how people typically think about nonprofit work.

“Well, no, my contention is no, that’s the charity that helps Americans by creating a venue where they can be them better, their better selves in serving the less fortunate,” he said.

At the core of Rancho Feliz is a philosophy of reciprocal giving, a deliberate rejection of one-sided aid.

“Welfare is misguided compassion. Welfare doesn’t work. Every one of our programs there has to be reciprocity. So I create a way for him to give back because, here I am, ‘Oh, I’m the benevolent gringo. And look at you. You’re the lowly receiver.’ It’s that uneven exchange of energy that is detrimental to human dignity,” he said.

Gillenwater argues the U.S. needs immigrant labor but must balance that with structure and accountability. More importantly, he believes the solution begins before migration happens.

“They don’t want to illegally immigrate,” Gillenwater said. “They don’t want to leave their food, their families, their tradition. They don’t. But they can’t survive on $14 a day.”

Despite decades of work, Gillenwater said his foundation’s ultimate goal is “to put ourselves out of business.” That would mean communities are self-sustaining no longer dependent on outside help. Until then, Rancho Feliz continues its work, powered entirely by volunteers and donations.

“We’re all in this together. None of us really know why we got to help each other,” Gillenwater said.

Sign up to volunteer, learn more about the Rancho Feliz Charitable Foundation or about Gillenwater’s book, “Hope on the Border.”