💛 Paper Houses Across the Border is an all-volunteer charity with no paid employees. Your support helps provide food, medical care, education, shelter assistance, and other urgent help for families in need.💛 Paper Houses Across the Border is an all-volunteer charity with no paid employees. Your support helps provide food, medical care, education, shelter assistance, and other urgent help for families in need.💛 Paper Houses Across the Border is an all-volunteer charity with no paid employees. Your support helps provide food, medical care, education, shelter assistance, and other urgent help for families in need.
Families in the Acuña border region

Paper Houses Across the Border

What sets us apart is that we walk the streets of the poor. We listen, assess needs face-to-face, and act fast — often within hours — to respond to medical emergencies.

Paper Houses is an all-volunteer charity. Our volunteers give their time so we can focus our resources on helping the people we serve.

Since 2001

Serving communities for over 20 years

Over 1 Million

Free meals served

Vetted

By Global Giving

Act Now

Urgent Needs

These children need your help today. Paper Houses is an all-volunteer organization — no paid staff, so donations support the people we serve.

Juan, a young child who needs surgery
Needs Special Surgery

Juan

Fingers of hands are fused together. Specialized surgery is required.

Read Juan's Story
Zoe, a young student who needs a hearing aid
Needs $2,000 Hearing Aid

Zoe

Zoe was born with a blocked eardrum. A bone conduction hearing aid will let her hear her teachers.

Read Zoe's Story
Oscar, a young child fighting leukemia
Needs Cancer Treatments

Oscar

Make treatment for leukemia possible.

Read Oscar's Story
Children in a shelter receiving support

Shelters

We support two vital shelters — one for children rescued from trafficking, and another for adults with physical, mental, or addiction challenges. Children's Shelter: We provide monthly support, supplies, and — most recently — guitars, drums, and art materials. Music and creative activities give the children additional ways to express themselves..

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Doctor providing medical care to a child

Medical Crisis: Every Second Counts

We respond quickly to medical emergencies — because some situations can't wait. We met a young boy who was about to lose his foot at a public hospital. We paid for private surgery — and saved it. Since then, we've helped many others receive medical care they couldn't afford.

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Children learning in a classroom

Education

We believe education changes everything. Our support has included: books, computers, and laptops for special needs students; backpacks filled with school supplies; building materials; repairs to classrooms; playground equipment; instruments to create a school band.

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Emergency relief volunteers helping a community

Emergency Relief

When rain turns streets into rivers, fires destroy homes, or floodwaters rise above rooftops, we respond immediately. We provide hot meals and groceries, replace school supplies, furniture, and basic essentials. Our most important response brings comfort, hope, and the first steps toward recovery.

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Our Story

Hope Continues with One Small Act

We began by walking through neighborhoods and handing out small bags of food — no fanfare, just help where it was needed. Then we found a children's shelter that had lost its sponsor. We stepped in to protect and feed 27 children. A school teacher said, 'The children arrive, too hungry to concentrate.' We started feeding 40 students. That turned into building cafeterias — and have provided over a million free meals since that small beginning. We met a boy about to lose his foot at a public hospital. We covered surgery at a private clinic — and saved his foot. We've made eyeglasses, chemotherapy, surgeries, and other life-changing medical care possible for many others.  And it just keeps growing.

How We Help

Medical Needs

Free School Meals

Shelters of all Types

Helping the Blind

School Supplies

Groceries to Families

Get in Touch

Contact Us

We'd love to hear from you. Whether you have a question about our work, want to help, or would simply like to learn more about Paper Houses Across the Border, send us a message.

Mail Checks To

Paper Houses Across the Border
10827 Colt Chase
San Antonio, TX 78254
GlobalGiving Site Visit Verified 2019GlobalGiving Vetted Organization 2019Bravo Award