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Just across the border from Douglas, Arizona is the city of Agua Prieta, Sonora. The streets are dirty, the homeless dogs are prolific, and the abject poverty is obvious. At the same time, the city is populated with smiling, helpful and genuine people. The children are smart, the parents work hard, and families take care of each other. This city needs more people to believe in it. Helping our neighbors to the south create opportunity for themselves is indeed an act of justice, and it is also an imperative in addressing America’s own immigration concerns. Next Generation Philanthropists leads a service trip to Agua Prieta twice a year. Volunteers in their 20′s, 30′s and 40′s caravan down, from Phoenix, on a Friday morning followed by dining, a visit to the local orphanage and a chance to meet and mingle with other volunteers. We stay at La Divina Provencia, a dorm building with full kitchen and dining room that is securely fenced and guarded. On Saturday we labor hard on a number of projects necessary to the eventual completion of the families’ homes. Whether it is mixing and pouring a concrete floor, laying bricks for a wall, or installing a roof, the work we do will change the lives of every family that we work beside. That evening, we are treated to a fabulous dinner, freshly prepared by a local family. On Sunday morning, we hold a food distribution for over of 1000 families. Each bag that we give contains enough food staples to feed a family of 4 for a week. Following the distribution, and lunch, we caravan back and are home in time for dinner. This trip is about doing good for others – without having to write a big check. The gifts of time, sweat, and loving kindness often leave just as large a legacy. It is not an exaggeration when we say that every one of our volunteers has come home feeling like they received much more than they gave.