Who We Are
For 2 years, we have been a growing movement of grass-roots volunteers. Our primary purpose is to empower existing volunteers and programs in Tijuana, that they might be able to better care for those in need. We are Primarily San Diegans who are looking to help in nay way we can. Here are some of our core leadership personnel:
James Hays
Founder
James has started various charitable service efforts since 2020. He first started with Stay Home San Diego, a free grocery delivery service, intended to keep seniors home and safe during the COVID epidemic. Since then, he has led several community service efforts, including servicing low income families, the homeless, domestic abuse victims, and those recovering from alcoholism and addiction.
James first started working regularly in Tijuana in early 2022. He was crossing the border as a pedestrian and encountered a group of Ukrainian families that were sleeping on the sidewalks and streets near the border in Tijuana. Since then, he has helped coordinate resources and service for various refugee groups in San Diego, including families from Honduras, Haiti, southern Mexico, and other distressed areas.
Janina Hofer
Shelter / Site Manager
Janina and James first started working together when they converted a abandoned bus stop into a shelter in the streets of Tijuana. Since then, the Swiss born volunteer has dedicated her life to serving the people oof Tijuana. She resides in Tijuana and works on-site every day at various shelters, including the Temple Embajadores de Jesus, a shelter of 1700 Central American refugees. She has earned the respect of thousands, and leads as a formal site manager.
Sarah Overbey
Founder, Open Road Global
Sarah founded and is the primary operator of Open Road Global, a 501(c)3 non-profit that focuses on helping families in need in third world countries. Based out of Encinitas, CA, Open Road currently has projects in Tijuana and Malawi.
Open Road Global has been partnering with sandiegofortijuana.org to provide resource management and financial transparency and compliance. All donations given to sandiegofortijuana.org go directly through Open Road Global, and 100% of donations are spent directly on programs.
Heidi Niego
Resource and Volunteer Coordinator
Heidi is a key person to connect resources and people in San Diego with volunteers and those in need in Tijuana. She ensures smooth, safe, effective flow of goods and services to the people that need it most. She has a special place in her heart for the refugee children in Tijuana, and prepares them for their legal entry into the US.