For six years, No More Deaths has served as an avenue for thousands of people of conscience to participate in direct humanitarian aid. The goal has been and is mobilization to confront an ongoing humanitarian emergency that is a direct consequence of US trade policy, border policy, and immigration policy.

Participating in No More Deaths fieldwork as a guest volunteer requires two simple things:

1. An invitation. This may be obtained by application, for a specific work period. Although participation is by invitation only, we respect the movement-building value of inclusiveness; we do not run a "selective" volunteer program.
2. Volunteer training. This must precede any fieldwork. For repeat volunteers, training must be renewed annually. Trainings are held in Tucson every weekend during the summer. At other times of the year, training is provided on the first Sunday of every month (courtesy of the Tucson Samaritans). Consult the calendar for scheduling information.

Logistical details, including the specific volunteer placement and the arrangement for covering food, housing and other expenses, are worked out during the application process.

Guest volunteers work side by side with experienced local volunteers, who act as hosts and guides and provide direction, support, and needed context. Guest volunteers consistently report that their volunteer experience is illuminating, galvanizing, and unexpectedly joyful.

Currently, with regard to guest volunteering opportunities, the No More Deaths year breaks down as follows:

This is the deadliest season in the Sonoran Desert, and the time of most intense activity for No More Deaths. See the summer 2009 program description.

Volunteer opportunities will be announced in October, and throughout winter 2009–2010. During the winter period, the burden of direct-aid operations is mainly on local volunteers. For visiting groups that can commit more than a few days (one week is typical), we may be able to create a desert-aid experience. Special arrangements must be made, so contact the Volunteer Coordinator between one and three months in advance. Be flexible, since the situation on the ground can change very quickly and we have to respond to it.

Alternative Spring Break (March)
For the past two years, No More Deaths has conducted a successful Alternative Spring Break program during the month of March. Spring Break volunteers—mostly college students, mostly arriving in groups—do essentially the same things summer volunteers do, just with a bit more emphasis on education. For more information, see the Spring Break 2009 wrap-up and the 2009 organizing toolkit for groups. Full program details for the 2010 program will appear on this website in November or December. We will run three week-long programs: March 6–13, March 13–20, and March 20–27. Additional weeks may be added. The cost is tentatively set at $140 for the week (7 days at $20 per day).