About Paper Houses
We are a small, all-volunteer nonprofit that has served the Mexican community in Acuña, Coahuila since 2001 — walking streets, listening to needs, and responding with food, medical care, and education.
Who We Are
Paper Houses Across the Border is an all-volunteer nonprofit organization based in San Antonio, Texas. Since 2001, we have worked directly with children and families in Acuña, Coahuila.
What sets us apart is simple: we walk the streets. We don't operate from a distance. We go door to door, listen to families, assess needs face-to-face, and respond — often within hours of learning about a crisis.
We have served over one million free meals, supported shelters for children rescued from trafficking, funded surgeries, provided school supplies, and responded to floods and emergencies. Paper Houses is an all-volunteer charity — we have no paid employees, company vehicles, offices, or company-owned equipment. Our volunteers give their time so we can focus our resources on helping the people we serve.
Our Core Values
All-Volunteer
Paper Houses has no paid employees, company vehicles, offices, or company-owned equipment. Our volunteers give their time so we can focus our resources on helping the people we serve.
We Walk the Streets
We don't sit in an office. We walk through neighborhoods, listen face-to-face, and assess needs directly — then act fast.
We Respond in Hours
Medical emergencies can't wait. When a child needs surgery or urgent care, we respond the same day — often within hours.
Vetted & Trusted
Vetted by GlobalGiving in 2019. Award recipients in both Mexico and the USA. Transparent, accountable, and trusted since 2002.
Serving Since 2001
2001
Paper Houses is incorporated and begins serving families — walking neighborhoods and handing out small bags of food. No fanfare, just help where it's needed.
2001
Paper Houses is incorporated and begins serving families — walking neighborhoods and handing out small bags of food. No fanfare, just help where it's needed.
2002
The IRS grants Paper Houses 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status.
2002
The IRS grants Paper Houses 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status.
2003
We discover a children's shelter that lost its sponsor. We step in to protect and feed 27 children rescued from trafficking.
2003
We discover a children's shelter that lost its sponsor. We step in to protect and feed 27 children rescued from trafficking.
2005
A school teacher tells us: "The children arrive too hungry to concentrate." We begin feeding 40 students — the start of our school meal program.
2005
A school teacher tells us: "The children arrive too hungry to concentrate." We begin feeding 40 students — the start of our school meal program.
2008
We build our first school cafeteria. The free meal program expands to multiple schools across the Acuña region.
2008
We build our first school cafeteria. The free meal program expands to multiple schools across the Acuña region.
2012
We meet a boy about to lose his foot at a public hospital. We pay for private surgery — and save it.
2012
We meet a boy about to lose his foot at a public hospital. We pay for private surgery — and save it.
2019
Vetted by GlobalGiving in 2019. Over 500,000 free meals served. We receive the Bravo Award for humanitarian service.
2019
Vetted by GlobalGiving in 2019. Over 500,000 free meals served. We receive the Bravo Award for humanitarian service.
2026
Over one million free meals served. We continue to respond to medical emergencies, support shelters, and fund education across the border region.
2026
Over one million free meals served. We continue to respond to medical emergencies, support shelters, and fund education across the border region.
Be Part of the Story
Your gift — no matter the size — goes directly to people in need. Paper Houses is an all-volunteer organization. No donations are used for salaries.