Double your donation!

On the occasion of his 60th birthday, Via International is pleased to celebrate John Fanestil's 30 years of dedication to the peoples and communities of the U.S.-Mexico borderlands. John's abiding concerns are a perfect match to Via's mission, which is supporting leaders to promote sustainable development in under-resourced communities on both sides of the border.

Anonymous friends of John have agreed to match every dollar raised up to $30,000. Help us turn 30 into 60!

Below is a brief timeline of John's work, which is now very much a part of Via's ongoing support of leaders promoting sustainable community development along and across the US-Mexico border.

JOHN FANESTIL

1961 - Born in La Jolla, California

1979 - Graduated from La Jolla High School

1980s - Active in Central American peace movement while at Dartmouth College & Oxford University

1991 - Year of Seminary in San José, Costa Rica

1992 - Appointed as United Methodist Pastor in border town of Calexico

2004 - Returned to San Diego after pastoral appointments in Los Angeles and Anaheim

2006 - Joined with many others to found the Friends of Friendship Park***

2007 - Became Executive Director of San Diego Foundation for Change, supporting social justice work in San Diego's "immigrant, refugee and border" communities

2008 - Joined with many others to found The Border Church/La Iglesia Fronteriza***

2016 - Joined with friend Dan Watman to create the Escuela Amistad***

2020 - Joined Via International as Executive Director

2020 - Collaborated with Via Staff to create the Via Cafe***

2021 - The work continues! Adelante!

*** = these projects continue as programs of Via International, or under Via's fiscal sponsorship

The 30/60 Campaign - Double Your Donation to Via International

By Via International

The 30/60 Campaign - Double Your Donation to Via International

Supporting Community Development along and across the US-Mexico Border