Pedacito de la Tierra, meaning "A Little Piece of Home," represents a transformative initiative aimed at creating sustainable, human-centered spaces for migrants at the U.S./Mexico border. This case study examines how a diverse coalition of partners, including Alight, Burning Man Community, Catholic Sisters, and notable figures like Ronald Rael, Lina Plioplyte, and Kai Schoenhals, have come together to address the humanitarian crisis affecting thousands of families seeking asylum in the United States.
Challenge
Migrant families fleeing gang and drug violence in their home countries often face prolonged waits in shelters along the border while their asylum cases are processed. The conditions in these shelters have been deteriorating, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Migrants, yearning for safety and a sense of normalcy, struggle to find the basic comforts of home and community.