Availability of start-up or continuation funding for collaborative efforts can be crucial to the continued development and success of community-based organizations. The BHI provides mini-grants that are designed as short-term, small donations to support binational or collaborative projects that address priority border health issues identified by organizations working in the California-Baja California border region. Such issues include, but are not limited to migrant health, diabetes, emergency services, access to health care, substance abuse, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and reproductive health.

The BHI also partners with local organizations to provide assistance in the design, implementation and evaluation of projects through training and technical assistance. Mini-grants may be available to provide interim funding for high priority collaborative projects while more permanent and sustainable support is established. The mini-grant support may be given as the final part of the capacity building process (levels 3 & 4) where an organization receives an organizational assessment by the BHI, which identifies organizational and technical strengths and for further development.

Depending on the availability of resources and the type of project, the BHI has awarded mini-grants for binational health projects in the amount of $5,000 to $25,000. Request for proposals are announced periodically. Technical assistance from the BHI to help develop grant proposals is also available. Applications are reviewed and selected by an external advisory committee.

The ISF summons aids periodically, and offers technical attendance to the participant organizations for the development of proposals of work with emphasis in the fortification of organizations and programs.

To receive more information or to be added to our mailing list please contact Paul ( National City office), Rosalinda Cano-Hays ( Tijuana office) or Enrique Gómez ( Mexicali office).

Previous Mini-Grant Recipients

Red de Mujeres de la Península de Baja California (Baja California Women's Network) (Oct 99 – Jun 00)
The Red de Mujeres de la Península de Baja California is a coalition of six NGOs that seek to improve the health and well-being of women in Baja California and South Baja California. As a network they use their collective strength to influence policies and other groups in society.

The Red de Mujeres de la Península de Baja California received a mini-grant of $5,000 with funds from the Ford Foundation, in 1999 to conduct their first binational project, (following a year-long BHI capacity building program.) The project made connections with similar organizations in order to share information and establish mutually beneficial relationships.

Promoción y Acción para el Servicio (PAS) in partnership with St. Vincent de Paul, Los Niños and Por La Vida (Feb 01 – Mar 02)

PAS is a coalition of seven NGOs in Tijuana that support the work and development of Community Health Workers. The PAS coalition, in conjunction with three San Diego-based organizations, received a mini-grant of $20,000 to hold a binational congress for Community Health Workers in Tijuana .
The following four Mexico-based NGOs and seven California-based NGOs received mini-grant.

Mexico

Beginning in July 2000, the following organizations received assistance from The Alliance Healthcare Foundation through the BHI's Capacity Building Program .

Méxican organizations :

Proyecto de Consejo y Apoyo Binacional (PROCABI) (Mar 01 – Nov 01)
PROCABI provides free services and medications to people living with HIV/AIDS and implements educational prevention campaigns that target particularly high-risk groups such as men that have sex with men, sex workers, and youth. PROCABI received a mini-grant of $6,895 to hold workshops and provide training for their staff in group facilitation skills, personal development and HIV/AIDS technical updates. They have also developed educational materials and new outreach activities.

Adictos en Recuperación A.C. (ARAC) (Jan 01 – Jul 01)
Adictos en Recuperación is a drug rehabilitation center for youth and adults with locations in Tecate and Tijuana . Fees are based on what recovering addicts and/or families can afford to pay. Clients can stay at the center for up to six months, and participate in a program based on the twelve-step model of recovery. ARAC received a mini-grant of $6,300 to develop a treatment manual for the organization. Clients can also use the manual as a personal diary to record their progress.

Fundación Anisa (Sept 00 May 01)
Fundación Anisa works with both urban and rural populations in the Mexicali Valley using educational programs that emphasize community involvement. The work embarks on diverse themes such as reproductive health, racism, gender equality, and moral leadership. Fundación Anisa received a mini-grant of $8,900 for a project involving four communities in the Mexicali area. The project began with a community survey to determine problems of gender equity, sexual health, and values. Fundación Anisa formed school groups to work with children, parents and teachers. Results were presented in a theater performance for the community. Fundación Anisa also provides workshops on these topics and teaches a technique for improving family communication.

Centro de Atención y Orientación Familiar (CENAFAM) (Mar 01 – May 02)
CENAFAM provides educational, cultural, medical and psychological services to families in Mexicali with a focus on assisting female maquiladora workers and/or sex workers and their children, who face problems of abuse and violence. CENAFAM received a mini-grant of $8,143 to implement a sexual education program for parents and schoolteachers on how to speak with youth about sexuality and reproductive health. The training covered biological and psychosocial development in adolescents, causes of teen pregnancies, communication methods, and information about sexually transmitted diseases. How to identify and stop family violence was also a part of the training.
California .

U.S. Organizations :

Bi-national AIDS Advocacy Project (BAAP) (Mar 01 – Mar 02)
The Binational Aids Advocacy Project (BAAP) works with Latinos infected and affected by HIV/AIDS, STDs and tuberculosis, especially those who cross the border. The primary services of BAAP include: advocating for access to HIV services, peer advocacy, immigration and welfare advocacy, outreach services, and HIV related education and training. BAAP received a Mini-Grant of $25,000 to continue its program in Tijuana with emphasis on building an infrastructure for the HIV community, and to augment the present programs in order to reach a greater number of the "at risk" Latino population. This involves going to locations frequently attended by Latinos and having information tables at as many bars, dance, and community centers as possible.

Bilingual Community Education/Prevention Programs & Services (BiCEPPS) (Jan 02 - Oct 02)
BiCEPPS provides the communities of Imperial county with a comprehensive HIV/AIDS education & prevention program that incorporates a full spectrum of HIV service delivery including education, prevention, skills building, behavioral modification, client empowerment, counseling, and prevention case management, complimented by the highest degree of client centered service delivery. BiCEPPS received $19,196 to run the "Taking Charge" program, which targets people who are HIV positive in an effort to reduce the spread of HIV in Imperial County . All of this was done through a client-centered approach, allowing the participants to engage in group activity as well as receive individualized services.

Center for Family Solutions (Sep 01 – Nov 02)
Center for Family Solutions (Woman Haven Inc.) is a private, non-profit organization located in Imperial County (California) that provides services and education for victims of family violence and their children, and education about domestic violence to the community at large. Center for Family Solutions received a mini-grant for $7,870 to provide a series of three training sessions to organizations in Mexico on the subjects of family violence and effects on children and other family members, the cycle of violence, and anger management/conflict resolution. The grant also supported group training for Mexican staff members who work with victims of domestic violence and other crisis intervention programs that prevent unhealthy family relationships.

Radio Bilingüe KUBO (Apr 01 – Feb 02)
Radio Bilingüe/KUBO is a non- profit organization whose primary focus is public broadcasting to Spanish speaking Latinos. Radio Bilingüe provides farm workers and their families with news, music, cultural segments, and information that is relevant to their lives. Radio Bilingüe strives to serve young people living in rural areas that are affected by three main problems: substance abuse (alcohol and drugs), sexual behavior (including high-risk sex and teen pregnancy), and youth violence. Radio Bilingüe received $25,000 to expand its youth focused social marketing program on health to the Latino community in the Imperial and Mexicali Valleys by furthering peer education training and radio production training.

Planned Parenthood (Jul 01 – Feb 02)
Planned Parenthood is a non-profit organization with a Binational Program that focuses on Latino families of all income levels from both sides of the border. The primary services of Planned Parenthood include providing comprehensive medical services such as: gynecology, cervical cancer screening, immunizations for children, and basic dental care. Planned Parenthood received $25,000 as a mini- grant to improve the services provided to those seeking reproductive health/family planning services. Planned Parenthood offered technical training and skill building to medical providers, emphasizing sensitivity and quality of service.

Por La Vida (Oct 01 – Nov 02)
The mission of Por La Vida is to enhance well-being in the Latino community and advocate for quality services, polices, and health promotion. Por La Vida works in partnership with San Diego State University Foundation and University of California San Diego . Por La Vida received a mini-grant of $25,000 to expand its " Familias Saludables " program in the border region, with sites in the U.S. and Mexico . The goal of this program is to prevent alcohol and drug abuse amongst youth through strengthening family bonds, sharing expectations and participation.

Centro de Integración y Recuperación para Enfermos de Alcoholismo y Drogadicción (CIRAD) & Youth Advocates/Innocent Addicts (YA/IA) (Apr 02 – Jun 03)
CIRAD, A.C. is a nonprofit organization assisting individuals who are addicted to drugs and alcohol by helping them in the process of recovery and societal re-integration. Their internal structure includes providing the following; shelter, food, clothing, medicines, occupational therapy and group therapy. Their services are free of charge and their resources derive from grants, some donations, and in-kind contributions from individuals and organizations. CIRAD received a mini-grant of $20,000 To develop a project entitled “Design of initiatives to reform the Mexican Legal system and training of service provider units within the addiction treatment network of in Baja California ”.

YAIA is a non-profit corporation in the State of California whose primary focus is mental health and substance abuse prevention and treatment. Their primary services include: Education, prevention, social services, clinical services, mental health counseling, and technical assistance. YAIA received a $20,000 mini-grant to work in collaboration with staff of CIRAD and assist them in their strategies to help establish a drug court in Tijuana .

San Diego Prevention Coalition & Tijuana San Diego Border Initiative (Sep 02 – Oct 03)
SDPC is a non-profit corporation in the State of California whose mission is to serve as the unifying voice and connecting link for prevention efforts in San Diego County. Its purpose is to promote healthier communities along the San Diego/Tijuana border by marketing, advocating and mobilizing people and resources. The primary services of SDPC include education, prevention and technical assistance. SDPC was awarded $20,000 to Work in collaboration with staff of Tijuana-San Diego Border Initiative to develop a Binational Fellows Program, identify participants and create a sustainability plan for the program.

The Binational Fellows Program is intended as a binational version of the already SDPC established fellows program which aims to develop community advocates for substance abuse prevention.

Tijuana San Diego Border Initiative is a nonprofit organization created to encourage closer collaboration among social and community service providers in the region with the specific intent of promoting institution building and policy development for issues of equal importance to both sides of the border. Over the last four years the Tijuana San Diego Border Initiative has focused on substance abuse prevention efforts as a vehicle for developing closer cross-border collaboration. A mini-grant of $20,000 was awarded to this group to develop a program entitled “Binational Fellows Program” in collaboration with San Diego Prevention Coalition.
To receive more information or to be added to our mailing list please contact , Rosalinda Cano -Hays ( rcano-hay@projectconcern.org ), (619)791-2614 in National City, or Enrique Gomez ( enriquegomez@uabc.mx ), (011 52 686) 582-3110 Mexicali office