Holy Family Volunteer Programs

The Rio Grande Valley

Known in Texas simply as "the Valley", the Rio Grande Valley is really not a valley  at all.
It's the fertile, flat lowland surrounding the Rio Grande River. Hot summers and very mild
winters provide a climate that supports year-round farming. Texas's famous Ruby Red
grapefruit hails from the Valley, as do cucumbers, onions, sugar cane, lemons, aloe vera,
cotton, and lots more. There's plenty to explore here along the US/Mexico border. South
Padre Island, the Gulf coast's finest beach, is about an hour's drive from the birth center. Santa
Ana, an exotic, semi-tropical Wildlife Preserve is only twenty minutes away.  McAllen and
Brownsville are larger cities nearby with restaurants, theaters, malls, and markets.

Nuevo Progreso, just down the road from the birth center, is a small Mexican town with an
easily accessible tourist/shopping district. An afternoon's drive takes you to San Antonio (4
hours), Austin (5.5 hours), or Corpus Christi (2.5 hours). Airports in Harlingen and McAllen
are convenient to the birth center (20 minute drive to either) and provide service by major
airlines. And, of course, in any direction you step from Holy Family's door, fresh fruit stands
and great taquerias abound.
Holy Family staff
cooking together
Holy Family nurses LOVE
attending births!
Holy Family volunteer staff
having fun together  in a three
legged race
                    Holy Family Needs You!  

Holy Family Birth Center is a wonderful place to volunteer if you are a:  midwife, nurse, doula,
CNA, lactation consultant, or anyone who would love to be involved with a birthing
community!   There is definitely nothing like being a Holy Family volunteer. Your duties in a
day might include helping a new mother with breastfeeding problems, assisting at a birth, fixing
lunch and feeding the chickens.

Some days might be very busy, others muy tranquila (very calm). Not only are you a staff
member, but you are also part of the community. During the week, the entire staff has lunch
together.  Throughout the year, there occasions for the staff to get together and enjoy some
good food and fun and decorations of the season can be found everywhere!  The hours are
sometimes long, and the expectations are high, but the rewards cannot be measured.
Holy Family staff having some fun
and great food in Mexico

If you would
like to help
but you are
not a nurse or
midwife
please see our
contact page.

Students of
all kinds are
welcome here
when prior
arrangements
have been
made!
Programs for Nurse-Midwives

Newly graduated certified nurse-midwives may gain
valuable experience through our three and six month
fellowship program. Room and board is provided, along
with use of a car and monthly stipend. Holy Family is a
popular clinical site for midwifery students and new
graduates because of its unique practice environment and
the outstanding mentorship of its senior midwives.
    Volunteer as Clinical Staff   
             
We are accepting volunteers for 3 months to 1+ year time
period. Room and board are provided for volunteer staff,
with a negotiable stipend, health insurance,  and shared use
of a car for those who commit to at  least one year of
service.

We currently have multiple volunteer positions available-
to share call for births and to work in during clinic hours.
We are open to Registered Nurses,  Licensed Vocational
Nurses and Medical Assistants with a strong interest in
OB and Women's Health. Conversational Spanish would
be helpful, but a willingness to learn is a requirement!  
Annual Birthday party for ALL patients and staff
of Holy Family.
Where Birth is a Blessed Event
For more information, please contact:

Holy Family Birth Center
5819 North FM 88
Weslaco, Texas 78596
Tel: 956.969.2538
Fax: 956.969.5884
Holy Family staff at one of
their parties
A midwife is examining an expectant patient
Two Holy Family volunteer
nurses doing some shopping in
Mexico
Holy Family guest quarters,
screened patio and staff house
Doula supports a patient while
laboring in the tub