Humanitarian Respite Center, McAllen, TX

Respite Center at the US Southern Border


McAllen, TX

This international competition winner envisions a place of respite for newly arrived migrants to the US.  Currently in design, the new center will provide a permanent home for the operation envisioned and managed by Sister Norma Pimentel, MJ.  Operating in borrowed space since 2014, the center has greeted migrants recently granted asylum with warm showers and meals, travel arrangements and personal items.

“They’ve come through so much. They’ve come from different countries in Central America, up through Mexico, most of the time walking and hiding from people who want to hurt them.” Sr. Norma Pimentel, MJ