AVSI-USA

🚌 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

🍁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!

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