{"id":30269,"date":"2025-10-14T15:23:41","date_gmt":"2025-10-14T20:23:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/?p=30269"},"modified":"2026-01-28T11:17:04","modified_gmt":"2026-01-28T17:17:04","slug":"boards-across-borders-dos-hermanos-de-chicago-carta-de-amor-a-la-comunidad-skate-guatemalteca","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/es\/2025\/10\/14\/boards-across-borders-two-chicago-brothers-love-letter-to-the-guatemalan-skate-community\/","title":{"rendered":"Boards Across Borders: Una carta de amor de dos hermanos de Chicago a la comunidad guatemalteca de patinaje"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\t\t<div id=\"fws_69eab9a33973a\"  data-column-margin=\"default\" data-midnight=\"dark\"  class=\"wpb_row vc_row-fluid vc_row\"  style=\"padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; \"><div class=\"row-bg-wrap\" data-bg-animation=\"none\" data-bg-animation-delay=\"\" data-bg-overlay=\"false\"><div class=\"inner-wrap row-bg-layer\" ><div class=\"row-bg viewport-desktop\"  style=\"\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"row_col_wrap_12 col span_12 dark left\">\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-2 vc_hidden-sm vc_hidden-xs wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col no-extra-padding inherit_tablet inherit_phone \"  data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-8 wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col left_padding_desktop_3pct top_padding_desktop_0pct right_padding_desktop_3pct bottom_padding_desktop_0pct \"  data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\n<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element \" >\n\t<p><i>Editor\u2019s note [10\/14\/2025]: Borderless Magazine has chosen not to publish the full names of some of the sources mentioned in this story to protect their safety and privacy. For questions, please contact us at <\/i><a href=\"mailto:board@borderlessmag.org\"><i>board@borderlessmag.org<\/i><\/a><\/p>\n<p>As EDM music pulsed through a portable speaker, Javier Ponce surveyed a detached garage in Chicago\u2019s North suburbs crowded wall to wall with skateboarding equipment, a small notebook cradled in his hand.<\/p>\n<p>Javier, 26, is a Chicago native with Guatemalan roots whose life has been anchored by his love of skateboarding since being introduced to the activity at 10 years old.<\/p>\n<p>He earned his stripes at Wilson Skate Park and found a community he thrived in, despite what he says used to be a less welcoming environment.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"templatera_shortcode\">\n\t\t<div id=\"fws_69eab9a33ae05\"  data-column-margin=\"default\" data-midnight=\"dark\"  class=\"wpb_row vc_row-fluid vc_row vc_row-o-equal-height vc_row-flex vc_row-o-content-middle small\"  style=\"padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; \"><div class=\"row-bg-wrap\" data-bg-animation=\"none\" data-bg-animation-delay=\"\" data-bg-overlay=\"false\"><div class=\"inner-wrap row-bg-layer\" ><div class=\"row-bg viewport-desktop\"  style=\"\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"row_col_wrap_12 col span_12 dark left\">\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-12 wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col no-extra-padding inherit_tablet inherit_phone border_color_909090 border_style_solid \"  data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<div id=\"fws_69eab9a33ba0b\"  data-column-margin=\"default\" data-midnight=\"dark\"  class=\"wpb_row vc_row-fluid vc_row vc_row-o-equal-height vc_row-flex vc_row-o-content-middle large top_margin_20px bottom_margin_20px\"  style=\"padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; \"><div class=\"row-bg-wrap\" data-bg-animation=\"none\" data-bg-animation-delay=\"\" data-bg-overlay=\"true\"><div class=\"inner-wrap row-bg-layer\" ><div class=\"row-bg viewport-desktop\"  style=\"\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"row-bg-overlay row-bg-layer\" style=\"background: #FFFFFF; background: linear-gradient(90deg,#FFFFFF 0%,#FFFFFF 100%);  opacity: 1; \"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"row_col_wrap_12 col span_12 dark left\">\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-12 wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col padding-3-percent force-phone-text-align-center inherit_tablet inherit_phone border_top_desktop_1px border_bottom_desktop_1px border_color_FFFFFF border_style_solid \"  data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t<div id=\"fws_69eab9a33c0b2\" data-midnight=\"\" data-column-margin=\"default\" class=\"wpb_row vc_row-fluid vc_row inner_row vc_row-o-equal-height vc_row-flex vc_row-o-content-middle\"  style=\"\"><div class=\"row-bg-wrap\"> <div class=\"row-bg\" ><\/div> <\/div><div class=\"row_col_wrap_12_inner col span_12  left\">\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-7 wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col child_column no-extra-padding inherit_tablet inherit_phone \"   data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\n<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element \" >\n\t<h4 id=\"news-that-puts-power-under-the-spotlight-and-communities-at-the-center\"><strong>News that puts power under the spotlight and communities at the center.<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates twice a week.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\t\t<\/div> \n\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n\n\t<div style=\"margin-top: -20px; \" class=\"vc_col-sm-5 wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col child_column neg-marg no-extra-padding inherit_tablet inherit_phone \"   data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\n\t<div class=\"wpb_raw_code wpb_raw_html wpb_content_element\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"_form_1\"><\/div><script src=\"https:\/\/borderlessmag.bluelena.io\/f\/embed.php?id=1\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/div> \n\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element \" >\n\t<p>\u201cIt\u2019s one of those things where you wish you could remember the moment better, because it was when your whole life changed,\u201d\u00a0 said Javier.<\/p>\n<p>Today, Javier runs a grassroots operation called \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/boards_across_borders\/?hl=en\">Boards Across Borders<\/a>\u201d alongside his younger brother Rodrigo \u201cBooger\u201d Ponce. Together, they source new and used gear in Chicago and redistribute it at public events in Guatemala City.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBeing here in Chicago and seeing the surplus [of gear] that everybody manages, it was a no-brainer to just transfer a lot of these things down to Guatemala,\u201d said Javier.<\/p>\n<p>The Ponce brothers say they hope to boost the country&#8217;s skating scene and make it more accessible by getting gear in the hands of Guatemalans who otherwise wouldn&#8217;t be able to purchase it themselves.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI think it all started from being a skater that at one point spent months or years hoping I could get more equipment, and I just could never access it,\u201d said Javier.<\/p>\n<p>Javier lost reliable access to affordable skate equipment after he and his family had to move to Guatemala \u2014 where equipment could be twice if not three times the price he would have bought it for in the United States \u2014 when he was a young teen.<\/p>\n<p>The Ponce\u2019s left the U.S. after their father had an encounter with a federal agent in Texas that led him to opt for a voluntary departure in 2012. The decision meant he\u2019d have to leave the country for 10 years before attempting to return legally.<\/p>\n<p>Despite originally having moved to the United States from Guatemala, the brothers\u2019 family found themselves essentially starting from zero upon their return. While his family tried to rebuild their lives in a new country, Javier, then 14, just wanted to skate.<\/p>\n<p>Javier, a U.S. citizen, stocked up on gear when he visited extended family in the United States, but often couldn\u2019t bring enough back to last him until the next visit.<\/p>\n<p>In 2021, Javier moved back to the United States to pursue a career in communications and begin the legal process of bringing his family back to the U.S.<\/p>\n<p>When he rejoined the Chicago skate community he was jarred by how much unused equipment he saw people had stateside.<\/p>\n<p>On a visit home in 2022, Javier came back with a suitcase full of random skate gear he had collected from friends while skating in Chicago throughout the year to distribute to whoever they could in the parking lot of Claret\u2013 a church in Guatemala City people often use as a DIY skate spot.<\/p>\n<p>After helping give out that first round of donations, his younger brother Rodrigo decided he wanted to help him move the effort forward as much as he could. He moved to Chicago in 2023, and managed to marry his love for EDM and DJing with his desire to help shape Boards Across Borders events.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-2 vc_hidden-sm vc_hidden-xs wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col no-extra-padding inherit_tablet inherit_phone \"  data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t<div id=\"fws_69eab9a33dfc2\"  data-column-margin=\"default\" data-midnight=\"dark\"  class=\"wpb_row vc_row-fluid vc_row\"  style=\"padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; \"><div class=\"row-bg-wrap\" data-bg-animation=\"none\" data-bg-animation-delay=\"\" data-bg-overlay=\"false\"><div class=\"inner-wrap row-bg-layer\" ><div class=\"row-bg viewport-desktop\"  style=\"\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"row_col_wrap_12 col span_12 dark left\">\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-2 vc_hidden-sm vc_hidden-xs wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col no-extra-padding inherit_tablet inherit_phone \"  data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-8 wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col left_padding_desktop_3pct top_padding_desktop_0pct right_padding_desktop_3pct bottom_padding_desktop_0pct \"  data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"img-with-aniamtion-wrap center\" data-max-width=\"100%\" data-max-width-mobile=\"default\" data-shadow=\"none\" data-animation=\"fade-in\"  style=\"margin-top: 3%; margin-bottom: 3%; \">\r\n      <div class=\"inner\">\r\n        <div class=\"hover-wrap\"> \r\n          <div class=\"hover-wrap-inner\">\r\n            <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-with-animation skip-lazy \" data-delay=\"0\" height=\"1281\" width=\"1920\" data-animation=\"fade-in\" src=\"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.03_BoardsAcrossBorders_Fundraiser_RodrigoDJing.jpg\" alt=\"Rodrigo Ponce, 20, sets up a DJ deck and his laptop during a Boards Across Borders fundraising event in partnership with Wilson Wednesdays at Wilson Skate Park. A girl skater laughs nearby.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.03_BoardsAcrossBorders_Fundraiser_RodrigoDJing.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.03_BoardsAcrossBorders_Fundraiser_RodrigoDJing-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.03_BoardsAcrossBorders_Fundraiser_RodrigoDJing-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.03_BoardsAcrossBorders_Fundraiser_RodrigoDJing-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.03_BoardsAcrossBorders_Fundraiser_RodrigoDJing-240x160.jpg 240w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.03_BoardsAcrossBorders_Fundraiser_RodrigoDJing-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.03_BoardsAcrossBorders_Fundraiser_RodrigoDJing-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.03_BoardsAcrossBorders_Fundraiser_RodrigoDJing-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.03_BoardsAcrossBorders_Fundraiser_RodrigoDJing-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.03_BoardsAcrossBorders_Fundraiser_RodrigoDJing-1500x1000.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.03_BoardsAcrossBorders_Fundraiser_RodrigoDJing-1245x830.jpg 1245w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.03_BoardsAcrossBorders_Fundraiser_RodrigoDJing-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1450px) 75vw, (min-width: 1000px) 85vw, 100vw\" \/>\r\n         <\/div>\r\n      <\/div><span class=\"vc_figure-caption ccfic-text media-caption\">Rodrigo Ponce, 20, sets up a DJ deck during a Boards Across Borders fundraising event in partnership with Wilson Wednesdays at Wilson Skate Park on Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025. <\/span><span class=\"media-credit\">Camilla Forte\/Borderless Magazine\/Catchlight Local\/Report for America<\/span><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-2 vc_hidden-sm vc_hidden-xs wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col no-extra-padding inherit_tablet inherit_phone \"  data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t<div id=\"fws_69eab9a33f4e1\"  data-column-margin=\"default\" data-midnight=\"dark\"  class=\"wpb_row vc_row-fluid vc_row\"  style=\"padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; \"><div class=\"row-bg-wrap\" data-bg-animation=\"none\" data-bg-animation-delay=\"\" data-bg-overlay=\"false\"><div class=\"inner-wrap row-bg-layer\" ><div class=\"row-bg viewport-desktop\"  style=\"\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"row_col_wrap_12 col span_12 dark left\">\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-2 vc_hidden-sm vc_hidden-xs wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col no-extra-padding inherit_tablet inherit_phone \"  data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-8 wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col left_padding_desktop_3pct top_padding_desktop_0pct right_padding_desktop_3pct bottom_padding_desktop_0pct \"  data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\n<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element \" >\n\t<p>Today, the events involve music lineups curated by Rodrigo and partnerships with local skate organizations. The combination has won over members of the skate scene in Chicago.<\/p>\n<p>Will Stephan, the owner of local Chicago skate shop<a href=\"https:\/\/sapientskateboards.com\/\"> Sapient<\/a> and host of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/wilsonlocals\/p\/DJ6vWP9xT3c\/?hl=en&amp;img_index=1\">Wilson Wednesdays \u2014 <\/a>\u00a0\u201ca giant skate and grill party&#8221; \u2014 \u00a0has lent his platform to Boards Across Borders.<\/p>\n<p>During the second Wilson Wednesdays co-hosted with Boards across Borders, Stephan alternated between grilling hot dogs, encouraging young skaters and steering donations to the Boards Across Borders DJ booth tent.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI think what they are doing with their organization is so epic,\u201d said Stephan.<\/p>\n<p>They made their first official shipment after hosting an event in 2024. The brothers filled a 36-by-42-inch box with donations. Their recent shipment \u2014 \u00a0which they sent out on Oct. 4 \u2014 \u00a0carried double the amount.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s a 100 percent family run operation,\u201d Javier said. \u201cI&#8217;m trying to do something and I need[ed] people, help and support.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Rodrigo\u2019s aunt Rita*, provides packing support and coordination, honed from years of shipping care packages of items purchased in the US to send to family abroad, from a few essential supplies to a whole living room furniture set.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-2 vc_hidden-sm vc_hidden-xs wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col no-extra-padding inherit_tablet inherit_phone \"  data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t<div id=\"fws_69eab9a3404b6\"  data-column-margin=\"default\" data-midnight=\"dark\"  class=\"wpb_row vc_row-fluid vc_row article-image\"  style=\"padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; \"><div class=\"row-bg-wrap\" data-bg-animation=\"none\" data-bg-animation-delay=\"\" data-bg-overlay=\"false\"><div class=\"inner-wrap row-bg-layer\" ><div class=\"row-bg viewport-desktop\"  style=\"\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"row_col_wrap_12 col span_12 dark left\">\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-12 wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col left_padding_desktop_3pct top_padding_desktop_0pct right_padding_desktop_3pct bottom_padding_desktop_0pct \"  data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"img-with-aniamtion-wrap center\" data-max-width=\"100%\" data-max-width-mobile=\"default\" data-shadow=\"none\" data-animation=\"fade-in\" >\r\n      <div class=\"inner\">\r\n        <div class=\"hover-wrap\"> \r\n          <div class=\"hover-wrap-inner\">\r\n            <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-with-animation skip-lazy \" data-delay=\"0\" height=\"639\" width=\"1920\" data-animation=\"fade-in\" src=\"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025_10_14_BoardsAcrossBorders_Boxing_02-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Rita* supervises her nephews Rodrigo and Javier Ponce as they sort through skate deck donations during the boxing process in Harwood Heights, IL. Ina second image, Rita stuffs trucks and wheels into skate helmets to maximize space while packing donations in her garage.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025_10_14_BoardsAcrossBorders_Boxing_02-scaled.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025_10_14_BoardsAcrossBorders_Boxing_02-1536x511.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025_10_14_BoardsAcrossBorders_Boxing_02-2048x682.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025_10_14_BoardsAcrossBorders_Boxing_02-18x6.jpg 18w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025_10_14_BoardsAcrossBorders_Boxing_02-900x300.jpg 900w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025_10_14_BoardsAcrossBorders_Boxing_02-1245x414.jpg 1245w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025_10_14_BoardsAcrossBorders_Boxing_02-768x256.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1450px) 75vw, (min-width: 1000px) 85vw, 100vw\" \/>\r\n         <\/div>\r\n      <\/div><span class=\"vc_figure-caption ccfic-text media-caption\">First image: Rita* supervises Rodrigo and Javier Ponce as they sort through deck donations during the boxing process in Harwood Heights, IL on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025. Second image: Rita* stuffs trucks and wheels into helmets to maximize space while packing donations.<\/span><span class=\"media-credit\">Camilla Forte\/Borderless Magazine\/Catchlight Local\/Report for America<\/span><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t<div id=\"fws_69eab9a3411fb\"  data-column-margin=\"default\" data-midnight=\"dark\"  class=\"wpb_row vc_row-fluid vc_row\"  style=\"padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; \"><div class=\"row-bg-wrap\" data-bg-animation=\"none\" data-bg-animation-delay=\"\" data-bg-overlay=\"false\"><div class=\"inner-wrap row-bg-layer\" ><div class=\"row-bg viewport-desktop\"  style=\"\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"row_col_wrap_12 col span_12 dark left\">\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-2 vc_hidden-sm vc_hidden-xs wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col no-extra-padding inherit_tablet inherit_phone \"  data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-8 wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col left_padding_desktop_3pct top_padding_desktop_0pct right_padding_desktop_3pct bottom_padding_desktop_0pct \"  data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\n<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element \" >\n\t<p>Once they ship donations to Guatemala, the boxes are picked up and stored by Ponce\u2019s mother until the brothers can coordinate pick up and delivery to their local partner <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/fish.skate\/?hl=en\">FISH skate<\/a>, one of the largest skate shops in Guatemala City.<\/p>\n<p>Javier says Jacobo Erique Aguilar, the owner of FISH not only stores the donations, but builds up excitement ahead of events that up turnout from local skaters and integrate the effort seamlessly into the local skate scene.<\/p>\n<p>After 5 hours of packing and processing donations Rodrigo has to head out. He\u2019s been called in to work an evening shift at his restaurant job.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-2 vc_hidden-sm vc_hidden-xs wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col no-extra-padding inherit_tablet inherit_phone \"  data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t<div id=\"fws_69eab9a342135\"  data-column-margin=\"default\" data-midnight=\"dark\"  class=\"wpb_row vc_row-fluid vc_row article-image\"  style=\"padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; \"><div class=\"row-bg-wrap\" data-bg-animation=\"none\" data-bg-animation-delay=\"\" data-bg-overlay=\"false\"><div class=\"inner-wrap row-bg-layer\" ><div class=\"row-bg viewport-desktop\"  style=\"\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"row_col_wrap_12 col span_12 dark left\">\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-12 wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col left_padding_desktop_3pct top_padding_desktop_0pct right_padding_desktop_3pct bottom_padding_desktop_0pct \"  data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"img-with-aniamtion-wrap center\" data-max-width=\"100%\" data-max-width-mobile=\"default\" data-shadow=\"none\" data-animation=\"fade-in\" >\r\n      <div class=\"inner\">\r\n        <div class=\"hover-wrap\"> \r\n          <div class=\"hover-wrap-inner\">\r\n            <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-with-animation skip-lazy \" data-delay=\"0\" height=\"1280\" width=\"1920\" data-animation=\"fade-in\" src=\"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.21_BoardsAcrossBorders_55.jpg\" alt=\"Sitting in a garage, Rodrigo Ponce detaches salvageable trucks from a waterlogged skateboard during the boxing process.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.21_BoardsAcrossBorders_55.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.21_BoardsAcrossBorders_55-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.21_BoardsAcrossBorders_55-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.21_BoardsAcrossBorders_55-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.21_BoardsAcrossBorders_55-240x160.jpg 240w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.21_BoardsAcrossBorders_55-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.21_BoardsAcrossBorders_55-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.21_BoardsAcrossBorders_55-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.21_BoardsAcrossBorders_55-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.21_BoardsAcrossBorders_55-1500x1000.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.21_BoardsAcrossBorders_55-1245x830.jpg 1245w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.21_BoardsAcrossBorders_55-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1450px) 75vw, (min-width: 1000px) 85vw, 100vw\" \/>\r\n         <\/div>\r\n      <\/div><span class=\"vc_figure-caption ccfic-text media-caption\">Rodrigo Ponce, 20, detaches salvageable trucks from a waterlogged board during the boxing process on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025.<\/span><span class=\"media-credit\">Camilla Forte\/Borderless Magazine\/Catchlight Local\/Report for America<\/span><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t<div id=\"fws_69eab9a342e99\"  data-column-margin=\"default\" data-midnight=\"dark\"  class=\"wpb_row vc_row-fluid vc_row\"  style=\"padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; \"><div class=\"row-bg-wrap\" data-bg-animation=\"none\" data-bg-animation-delay=\"\" data-bg-overlay=\"false\"><div class=\"inner-wrap row-bg-layer\" ><div class=\"row-bg viewport-desktop\"  style=\"\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"row_col_wrap_12 col span_12 dark left\">\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-2 vc_hidden-sm vc_hidden-xs wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col no-extra-padding inherit_tablet inherit_phone \"  data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-8 wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col left_padding_desktop_3pct top_padding_desktop_0pct right_padding_desktop_3pct bottom_padding_desktop_0pct \"  data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\n<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element \" >\n\t<p>However, there is still work to be done. Rita expertly slots skateboard decks and stuffs shoes with wheels, maximizing every inch of space in the two boxes they\u2019ll be shipping. Slowly, the garage floor comes back into view.<\/p>\n<p>As Javier reflects on what comes next for Boards, his wishlist is long, but simple: a warehouse to store donations so he can free up his aunt\u2019s garage; staff to sanitize wheels and boards; sponsors for events; and funds to build real obstacles for the skate competitions.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf I could work on this 100 percent of the time, that would be great, but at the end of the day, it\u2019s about more than just collecting donations,\u201d he said. \u201cThe community we\u2019re building is essential to this.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><em>Communities of care is a recurring visual series highlighting the passion projects, organizing efforts and care models created and led by Gen Z and Millennials from Chicago\u2019s immigrant communities.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Immigration news can feel chaotic and scary, but we also know the city is full of passionate, innovative people who care deeply about their city and work every day to make a positive impact.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>At Borderless, we want to keep telling stories that highlight joy, innovation and resistance to expand our understanding and connection to the readers we serve.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Do you know of someone we should highlight in this column or feel like you\u2019d be a good fit? Email Camilla at <a href=\"mailto:camilla@borderlessmag.org\">camilla@borderlessmag.org<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-2 vc_hidden-sm vc_hidden-xs wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col no-extra-padding inherit_tablet inherit_phone \"  data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t<div id=\"fws_69eab9a343dcb\"  data-column-margin=\"default\" data-midnight=\"dark\"  class=\"wpb_row vc_row-fluid vc_row article-image\"  style=\"padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; \"><div class=\"row-bg-wrap\" data-bg-animation=\"none\" data-bg-animation-delay=\"\" data-bg-overlay=\"false\"><div class=\"inner-wrap row-bg-layer\" ><div class=\"row-bg viewport-desktop\"  style=\"\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"row_col_wrap_12 col span_12 dark left\">\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-12 wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col left_padding_desktop_3pct top_padding_desktop_0pct right_padding_desktop_3pct bottom_padding_desktop_0pct \"  data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"img-with-aniamtion-wrap center\" data-max-width=\"100%\" data-max-width-mobile=\"default\" data-shadow=\"none\" data-animation=\"fade-in\" >\r\n      <div class=\"inner\">\r\n        <div class=\"hover-wrap\"> \r\n          <div class=\"hover-wrap-inner\">\r\n            <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-with-animation skip-lazy \" data-delay=\"0\" height=\"1281\" width=\"1920\" data-animation=\"fade-in\" src=\"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.06_BoardsAcrossBorders_Dundraiser_Javier.jpg\" alt=\"Javier Ponce skates a bowl back move with his arms stretched out at the Wilson Skate Park during a Boards across Borders fundraising event in partnership with Chicago Roller Girls.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.06_BoardsAcrossBorders_Dundraiser_Javier.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.06_BoardsAcrossBorders_Dundraiser_Javier-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.06_BoardsAcrossBorders_Dundraiser_Javier-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.06_BoardsAcrossBorders_Dundraiser_Javier-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.06_BoardsAcrossBorders_Dundraiser_Javier-240x160.jpg 240w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.06_BoardsAcrossBorders_Dundraiser_Javier-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.06_BoardsAcrossBorders_Dundraiser_Javier-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.06_BoardsAcrossBorders_Dundraiser_Javier-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.06_BoardsAcrossBorders_Dundraiser_Javier-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.06_BoardsAcrossBorders_Dundraiser_Javier-1500x1000.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.06_BoardsAcrossBorders_Dundraiser_Javier-1245x830.jpg 1245w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.06_BoardsAcrossBorders_Dundraiser_Javier-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1450px) 75vw, (min-width: 1000px) 85vw, 100vw\" \/>\r\n         <\/div>\r\n      <\/div><span class=\"vc_figure-caption ccfic-text media-caption\">Javier Ponce skates a bowl back during a Boards across Borders fundraising event in partnership with Chicago Roller Girls at Wilson Skate Park on Sept. 6, 2025.<\/span><span class=\"media-credit\">Camilla Forte\/Borderless Magazine\/Catchlight Local\/Report for America<\/span><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t<div id=\"fws_69eab9a344b4c\"  data-column-margin=\"default\" data-midnight=\"dark\"  class=\"wpb_row vc_row-fluid vc_row article-image\"  style=\"padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; \"><div class=\"row-bg-wrap\" data-bg-animation=\"none\" data-bg-animation-delay=\"\" data-bg-overlay=\"false\"><div class=\"inner-wrap row-bg-layer\" ><div class=\"row-bg viewport-desktop\"  style=\"\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"row_col_wrap_12 col span_12 dark left\">\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-12 wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col left_padding_desktop_3pct top_padding_desktop_0pct right_padding_desktop_3pct bottom_padding_desktop_0pct \"  data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"img-with-aniamtion-wrap center\" data-max-width=\"100%\" data-max-width-mobile=\"default\" data-shadow=\"none\" data-animation=\"fade-in\" >\r\n      <div class=\"inner\">\r\n        <div class=\"hover-wrap\"> \r\n          <div class=\"hover-wrap-inner\">\r\n            <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-with-animation skip-lazy \" data-delay=\"0\" height=\"1281\" width=\"1920\" data-animation=\"fade-in\" src=\"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.06_BoardsAcrossBorders_Fundraiser_Javier_02.jpg\" alt=\"Javier Ponce stands behind a table as he explains the mission of Boards across Borders to a man wearing glasses during a fundraising event in partnership with Chicago Roller Girls at Wilson Skate Park on\" srcset=\"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.06_BoardsAcrossBorders_Fundraiser_Javier_02.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.06_BoardsAcrossBorders_Fundraiser_Javier_02-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.06_BoardsAcrossBorders_Fundraiser_Javier_02-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.06_BoardsAcrossBorders_Fundraiser_Javier_02-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.06_BoardsAcrossBorders_Fundraiser_Javier_02-240x160.jpg 240w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.06_BoardsAcrossBorders_Fundraiser_Javier_02-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.06_BoardsAcrossBorders_Fundraiser_Javier_02-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.06_BoardsAcrossBorders_Fundraiser_Javier_02-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.06_BoardsAcrossBorders_Fundraiser_Javier_02-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.06_BoardsAcrossBorders_Fundraiser_Javier_02-1500x1000.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.06_BoardsAcrossBorders_Fundraiser_Javier_02-1245x830.jpg 1245w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.06_BoardsAcrossBorders_Fundraiser_Javier_02-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1450px) 75vw, (min-width: 1000px) 85vw, 100vw\" \/>\r\n         <\/div>\r\n      <\/div><span class=\"vc_figure-caption ccfic-text media-caption\">Javier Ponce explains the mission of Boards across Borders during a fundraising event in partnership with Chicago Roller Girls at Wilson Skate Park on Sept. 6, 2025.<\/span><span class=\"media-credit\">Camilla Forte\/Borderless Magazine\/Catchlight Local\/Report for America<\/span><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t<div id=\"fws_69eab9a3458e4\"  data-column-margin=\"default\" data-midnight=\"dark\"  class=\"wpb_row vc_row-fluid vc_row article-image\"  style=\"padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; \"><div class=\"row-bg-wrap\" data-bg-animation=\"none\" data-bg-animation-delay=\"\" data-bg-overlay=\"false\"><div class=\"inner-wrap row-bg-layer\" ><div class=\"row-bg viewport-desktop\"  style=\"\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"row_col_wrap_12 col span_12 dark left\">\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-12 wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col left_padding_desktop_3pct top_padding_desktop_0pct right_padding_desktop_3pct bottom_padding_desktop_0pct \"  data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"img-with-aniamtion-wrap center\" data-max-width=\"100%\" data-max-width-mobile=\"default\" data-shadow=\"none\" data-animation=\"fade-in\" >\r\n      <div class=\"inner\">\r\n        <div class=\"hover-wrap\"> \r\n          <div class=\"hover-wrap-inner\">\r\n            <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-with-animation skip-lazy \" data-delay=\"0\" height=\"1281\" width=\"1920\" data-animation=\"fade-in\" src=\"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.03_BoardsAcrossBorders_SeptFundraiser_Detail.jpg\" alt=\"Javier receives a gear donation from Mark Slonina during a Boards Across Borders fundraising event in partnership with Wilson Wednesdays.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.03_BoardsAcrossBorders_SeptFundraiser_Detail.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.03_BoardsAcrossBorders_SeptFundraiser_Detail-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.03_BoardsAcrossBorders_SeptFundraiser_Detail-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.03_BoardsAcrossBorders_SeptFundraiser_Detail-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.03_BoardsAcrossBorders_SeptFundraiser_Detail-240x160.jpg 240w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.03_BoardsAcrossBorders_SeptFundraiser_Detail-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.03_BoardsAcrossBorders_SeptFundraiser_Detail-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.03_BoardsAcrossBorders_SeptFundraiser_Detail-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.03_BoardsAcrossBorders_SeptFundraiser_Detail-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.03_BoardsAcrossBorders_SeptFundraiser_Detail-1500x1000.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.03_BoardsAcrossBorders_SeptFundraiser_Detail-1245x830.jpg 1245w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.03_BoardsAcrossBorders_SeptFundraiser_Detail-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1450px) 75vw, (min-width: 1000px) 85vw, 100vw\" \/>\r\n         <\/div>\r\n      <\/div><span class=\"vc_figure-caption ccfic-text media-caption\">Javier receives a gear donation from Mark Slonina during a Boards Across Borders fundraising event in partnership with Wilson Wednesdays. Boards relies entirely on donated gear, with the Ponce brothers funding most additional costs. \u201cWhen we receive money, that goes to the box itself, which is $500\u201d Javier said. \u201c If we cut even, that\u2019s a success.&quot;<\/span><span class=\"media-credit\">Camilla Forte\/Borderless Magazine\/Catchlight Local\/Report for America<\/span><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t<div id=\"fws_69eab9a346618\"  data-column-margin=\"default\" data-midnight=\"dark\"  class=\"wpb_row vc_row-fluid vc_row article-image\"  style=\"padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; \"><div class=\"row-bg-wrap\" data-bg-animation=\"none\" data-bg-animation-delay=\"\" data-bg-overlay=\"false\"><div class=\"inner-wrap row-bg-layer\" ><div class=\"row-bg viewport-desktop\"  style=\"\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"row_col_wrap_12 col span_12 dark left\">\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-12 wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col left_padding_desktop_3pct top_padding_desktop_0pct right_padding_desktop_3pct bottom_padding_desktop_0pct \"  data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"img-with-aniamtion-wrap center\" data-max-width=\"100%\" data-max-width-mobile=\"default\" data-shadow=\"none\" data-animation=\"fade-in\" >\r\n      <div class=\"inner\">\r\n        <div class=\"hover-wrap\"> \r\n          <div class=\"hover-wrap-inner\">\r\n            <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-with-animation skip-lazy \" data-delay=\"0\" height=\"1281\" width=\"1920\" data-animation=\"fade-in\" src=\"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.06_BoardsAcrossBorders_Fundraiser_Rodrigo.jpg\" alt=\"Rodrigo Ponce skates in a bowl in the Wilson Skate Park as his aunt&#039;s dog, Benny, runs behind him during a fundraising event in partnership with Chicago Roller Girls.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.06_BoardsAcrossBorders_Fundraiser_Rodrigo.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.06_BoardsAcrossBorders_Fundraiser_Rodrigo-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.06_BoardsAcrossBorders_Fundraiser_Rodrigo-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.06_BoardsAcrossBorders_Fundraiser_Rodrigo-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.06_BoardsAcrossBorders_Fundraiser_Rodrigo-240x160.jpg 240w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.06_BoardsAcrossBorders_Fundraiser_Rodrigo-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.06_BoardsAcrossBorders_Fundraiser_Rodrigo-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.06_BoardsAcrossBorders_Fundraiser_Rodrigo-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.06_BoardsAcrossBorders_Fundraiser_Rodrigo-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.06_BoardsAcrossBorders_Fundraiser_Rodrigo-1500x1000.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.06_BoardsAcrossBorders_Fundraiser_Rodrigo-1245x830.jpg 1245w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.06_BoardsAcrossBorders_Fundraiser_Rodrigo-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1450px) 75vw, (min-width: 1000px) 85vw, 100vw\" \/>\r\n         <\/div>\r\n      <\/div><span class=\"vc_figure-caption ccfic-text media-caption\">Rodrigo Ponce carves a bowl alongside Boards mascot Benny during a fundraising event in partnership with Chicago Roller Girls at Wilson Skate Park on Sept. 6, 2025.<\/span><span class=\"media-credit\">Camilla Forte\/Borderless Magazine\/Catchlight Local\/Report for America<\/span><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t<div id=\"fws_69eab9a3472b2\"  data-column-margin=\"default\" data-midnight=\"dark\"  class=\"wpb_row vc_row-fluid vc_row article-image\"  style=\"padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; \"><div class=\"row-bg-wrap\" data-bg-animation=\"none\" data-bg-animation-delay=\"\" data-bg-overlay=\"false\"><div class=\"inner-wrap row-bg-layer\" ><div class=\"row-bg viewport-desktop\"  style=\"\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"row_col_wrap_12 col span_12 dark left\">\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-12 wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col left_padding_desktop_3pct top_padding_desktop_0pct right_padding_desktop_3pct bottom_padding_desktop_0pct \"  data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"img-with-aniamtion-wrap center\" data-max-width=\"100%\" data-max-width-mobile=\"default\" data-shadow=\"none\" data-animation=\"fade-in\" >\r\n      <div class=\"inner\">\r\n        <div class=\"hover-wrap\"> \r\n          <div class=\"hover-wrap-inner\">\r\n            <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-with-animation skip-lazy \" data-delay=\"0\" height=\"1280\" width=\"1920\" data-animation=\"fade-in\" src=\"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.07_BoardsAcrossBorders_Fundraiser_RollerGirls.jpg\" alt=\"Javier Ponce stands behind a table with colorful chalk as he assembles a poster during a Boards Across Borders fundraising event in partnership with Chicago Roller Girls at Wilson Skate Park on a sunny Saturday.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.07_BoardsAcrossBorders_Fundraiser_RollerGirls.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.07_BoardsAcrossBorders_Fundraiser_RollerGirls-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.07_BoardsAcrossBorders_Fundraiser_RollerGirls-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.07_BoardsAcrossBorders_Fundraiser_RollerGirls-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.07_BoardsAcrossBorders_Fundraiser_RollerGirls-240x160.jpg 240w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.07_BoardsAcrossBorders_Fundraiser_RollerGirls-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.07_BoardsAcrossBorders_Fundraiser_RollerGirls-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.07_BoardsAcrossBorders_Fundraiser_RollerGirls-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.07_BoardsAcrossBorders_Fundraiser_RollerGirls-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.07_BoardsAcrossBorders_Fundraiser_RollerGirls-1500x1000.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.07_BoardsAcrossBorders_Fundraiser_RollerGirls-1245x830.jpg 1245w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.07_BoardsAcrossBorders_Fundraiser_RollerGirls-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1450px) 75vw, (min-width: 1000px) 85vw, 100vw\" \/>\r\n         <\/div>\r\n      <\/div><span class=\"vc_figure-caption ccfic-text media-caption\">Javier Ponce assembles a poster during a Boards Across Borders fundraising event in partnership with Chicago Roller Girls at Wilson Skate Park on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025.<\/span><span class=\"media-credit\">Camilla Forte\/Borderless Magazine\/Catchlight Local\/Report for America<\/span><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t<div id=\"fws_69eab9a347f28\"  data-column-margin=\"default\" data-midnight=\"dark\"  class=\"wpb_row vc_row-fluid vc_row article-image\"  style=\"padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; \"><div class=\"row-bg-wrap\" data-bg-animation=\"none\" data-bg-animation-delay=\"\" data-bg-overlay=\"false\"><div class=\"inner-wrap row-bg-layer\" ><div class=\"row-bg viewport-desktop\"  style=\"\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"row_col_wrap_12 col span_12 dark left\">\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-12 wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col left_padding_desktop_3pct top_padding_desktop_0pct right_padding_desktop_3pct bottom_padding_desktop_0pct \"  data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"img-with-aniamtion-wrap center\" data-max-width=\"100%\" data-max-width-mobile=\"default\" data-shadow=\"none\" data-animation=\"fade-in\" >\r\n      <div class=\"inner\">\r\n        <div class=\"hover-wrap\"> \r\n          <div class=\"hover-wrap-inner\">\r\n            <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-with-animation skip-lazy \" data-delay=\"0\" height=\"1280\" width=\"1920\" data-animation=\"fade-in\" src=\"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.21_BoardsAcrossBorders_Boxing_Detail.jpg\" alt=\"A close up photos of Javier Ponce attaching skateboard wheels with string to transport to Guatemala.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.21_BoardsAcrossBorders_Boxing_Detail.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.21_BoardsAcrossBorders_Boxing_Detail-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.21_BoardsAcrossBorders_Boxing_Detail-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.21_BoardsAcrossBorders_Boxing_Detail-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.21_BoardsAcrossBorders_Boxing_Detail-240x160.jpg 240w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.21_BoardsAcrossBorders_Boxing_Detail-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.21_BoardsAcrossBorders_Boxing_Detail-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.21_BoardsAcrossBorders_Boxing_Detail-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.21_BoardsAcrossBorders_Boxing_Detail-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.21_BoardsAcrossBorders_Boxing_Detail-1500x1000.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.21_BoardsAcrossBorders_Boxing_Detail-1245x830.jpg 1245w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.21_BoardsAcrossBorders_Boxing_Detail-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1450px) 75vw, (min-width: 1000px) 85vw, 100vw\" \/>\r\n         <\/div>\r\n      <\/div><span class=\"vc_figure-caption ccfic-text media-caption\">Javier Ponce attaches wheels with string to transport to Guatemala.<\/span><span class=\"media-credit\">Camilla Forte\/Borderless Magazine\/Catchlight Local\/Report for America<\/span><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t<div id=\"fws_69eab9a348b63\"  data-column-margin=\"default\" data-midnight=\"dark\"  class=\"wpb_row vc_row-fluid vc_row article-image\"  style=\"padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; \"><div class=\"row-bg-wrap\" data-bg-animation=\"none\" data-bg-animation-delay=\"\" data-bg-overlay=\"false\"><div class=\"inner-wrap row-bg-layer\" ><div class=\"row-bg viewport-desktop\"  style=\"\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"row_col_wrap_12 col span_12 dark left\">\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-12 wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col left_padding_desktop_3pct top_padding_desktop_0pct right_padding_desktop_3pct bottom_padding_desktop_0pct \"  data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"img-with-aniamtion-wrap center\" data-max-width=\"100%\" data-max-width-mobile=\"default\" data-shadow=\"none\" data-animation=\"fade-in\" >\r\n      <div class=\"inner\">\r\n        <div class=\"hover-wrap\"> \r\n          <div class=\"hover-wrap-inner\">\r\n            <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-with-animation skip-lazy \" data-delay=\"0\" height=\"1281\" width=\"1920\" data-animation=\"fade-in\" src=\"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.20_BoardsAcrossBorders_Boxing_03.jpg\" alt=\"Friends Javier Ponce and C.DOT sit in an open garage on folding chairs disassembling donated skate boards to make them easier to pack during the boxing process.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.20_BoardsAcrossBorders_Boxing_03.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.20_BoardsAcrossBorders_Boxing_03-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.20_BoardsAcrossBorders_Boxing_03-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.20_BoardsAcrossBorders_Boxing_03-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.20_BoardsAcrossBorders_Boxing_03-240x160.jpg 240w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.20_BoardsAcrossBorders_Boxing_03-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.20_BoardsAcrossBorders_Boxing_03-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.20_BoardsAcrossBorders_Boxing_03-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.20_BoardsAcrossBorders_Boxing_03-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.20_BoardsAcrossBorders_Boxing_03-1500x1000.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.20_BoardsAcrossBorders_Boxing_03-1245x830.jpg 1245w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.09.20_BoardsAcrossBorders_Boxing_03-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1450px) 75vw, (min-width: 1000px) 85vw, 100vw\" \/>\r\n         <\/div>\r\n      <\/div><span class=\"vc_figure-caption ccfic-text media-caption\">Javier Ponce and C.DOT disassemble donated boards to make them easier to pack during the boxing process. <\/span><span class=\"media-credit\">Camilla Forte\/Borderless Magazine\/Catchlight Local\/Report for America<\/span><\/div><\/div><div id=\"fws_69eab9a3495da\" data-midnight=\"\" data-column-margin=\"default\" class=\"wpb_row vc_row-fluid vc_row inner_row\"  style=\"\"><div class=\"row-bg-wrap\"> <div class=\"row-bg\" ><\/div> <\/div><div class=\"row_col_wrap_12_inner col span_12  left\">\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-12 wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col child_column no-extra-padding inherit_tablet inherit_phone \"   data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div> \n\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n<\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element \" >\n\t<p><i>Camilla Forte is a CatchLight fellow and Report for America Corps Member covering immigrant communities for Borderless Magazine. She can be reached at <\/i><a href=\"mailto:camilla@borderlessmag.org\"><i>camilla@borderlessmag.org<\/i><\/a><i>.<\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Javier y Rodrigo \"Booger\" Ponce est\u00e1n aprovechando su conexi\u00f3n con la comunidad de patinaje de Chicago para impulsar la escena de patinaje guatemalteco. <\/p>","protected":false},"author":174,"featured_media":30259,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[318,1,324],"tags":[845],"coauthors":[795],"class_list":{"0":"post-30269","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-arts-culture","8":"category-immigration-policy","9":"category-visuals","10":"tag-boards"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.3 (Yoast SEO v27.3) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Meet Two Chicago Brothers Uplifting the Guatemalan Skate Scene<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Javier and Rodrigo \u201cBooger\u201d Ponce are leveraging their connection to the skate community to make a global impact.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/es\/2025\/10\/14\/boards-across-borders-dos-hermanos-de-chicago-carta-de-amor-a-la-comunidad-skate-guatemalteca\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"es_MX\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Boards Across Borders: Two Chicago Brothers&#039; Love Letter to the Guatemalan Skate Community &#8211; Arts &amp; Culture &#8211; Borderless Magazine NFP\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Boards Across Borders: Two Chicago Brothers&#039; Love Letter to the Guatemalan Skate Community &#8211; Arts &amp; Culture &#8211; Borderless Magazine NFP\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/es\/2025\/10\/14\/boards-across-borders-dos-hermanos-de-chicago-carta-de-amor-a-la-comunidad-skate-guatemalteca\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Borderless Magazine NFP\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/BorderlessMagazine\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-10-14T20:23:41+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-01-28T17:17:04+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.08.26_BoardsAcrossBorders_Portrait.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1080\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"721\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Camilla Forte\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Escrito por\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Camilla Forte\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Tiempo de lectura\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"6 minutos\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label3\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data3\" content=\"Camilla Forte\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"NewsArticle\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/borderlessmag.org\\\/2025\\\/10\\\/14\\\/boards-across-borders-two-chicago-brothers-love-letter-to-the-guatemalan-skate-community\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/borderlessmag.org\\\/2025\\\/10\\\/14\\\/boards-across-borders-two-chicago-brothers-love-letter-to-the-guatemalan-skate-community\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Camilla Forte\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/borderlessmag.org\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/5da9d2ae730fb176fa2be57f4bd6b35c\"},\"headline\":\"Boards Across Borders: Two Chicago Brothers&#8217; Love Letter to the Guatemalan Skate Community\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-10-14T20:23:41+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-01-28T17:17:04+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/borderlessmag.org\\\/2025\\\/10\\\/14\\\/boards-across-borders-two-chicago-brothers-love-letter-to-the-guatemalan-skate-community\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":5078,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/borderlessmag.org\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/borderlessmag.org\\\/2025\\\/10\\\/14\\\/boards-across-borders-two-chicago-brothers-love-letter-to-the-guatemalan-skate-community\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/borderlessmag.org\\\/wordpress\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/10\\\/2025.08.26_BoardsAcrossBorders_Portrait.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"Boards\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Arts &amp; Culture\",\"Immigration Policy\",\"Visuals\"],\"inLanguage\":\"es\",\"copyrightYear\":\"2025\",\"copyrightHolder\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/borderlessmag.org\\\/es\\\/#organization\"}},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/borderlessmag.org\\\/2025\\\/10\\\/14\\\/boards-across-borders-two-chicago-brothers-love-letter-to-the-guatemalan-skate-community\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/borderlessmag.org\\\/2025\\\/10\\\/14\\\/boards-across-borders-two-chicago-brothers-love-letter-to-the-guatemalan-skate-community\\\/\",\"name\":\"Meet Two Chicago Brothers Uplifting the Guatemalan Skate Scene\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/borderlessmag.org\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/borderlessmag.org\\\/2025\\\/10\\\/14\\\/boards-across-borders-two-chicago-brothers-love-letter-to-the-guatemalan-skate-community\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/borderlessmag.org\\\/2025\\\/10\\\/14\\\/boards-across-borders-two-chicago-brothers-love-letter-to-the-guatemalan-skate-community\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/borderlessmag.org\\\/wordpress\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/10\\\/2025.08.26_BoardsAcrossBorders_Portrait.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-10-14T20:23:41+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-01-28T17:17:04+00:00\",\"description\":\"Javier and Rodrigo \u201cBooger\u201d Ponce are leveraging their connection to the skate community to make a global impact.\",\"inLanguage\":\"es\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/borderlessmag.org\\\/2025\\\/10\\\/14\\\/boards-across-borders-two-chicago-brothers-love-letter-to-the-guatemalan-skate-community\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"es\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/borderlessmag.org\\\/2025\\\/10\\\/14\\\/boards-across-borders-two-chicago-brothers-love-letter-to-the-guatemalan-skate-community\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/borderlessmag.org\\\/wordpress\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/10\\\/2025.08.26_BoardsAcrossBorders_Portrait.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/borderlessmag.org\\\/wordpress\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/10\\\/2025.08.26_BoardsAcrossBorders_Portrait.jpg\",\"width\":1920,\"height\":1281,\"caption\":\"Javier Ponce (left) and Rodrigo Ponce (right) pose for a portrait at Wilson Skate Park in Uptown on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2025.\"},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/borderlessmag.org\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/borderlessmag.org\\\/\",\"name\":\"Borderless Magazine NFP\",\"description\":\"Stories about immigration and immigrants\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/borderlessmag.org\\\/#organization\"},\"alternateName\":\"Borderless\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/borderlessmag.org\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"es\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/borderlessmag.org\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Borderless Magazine NFP\",\"alternateName\":\"Borderless Mag\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/borderlessmag.org\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"es\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/borderlessmag.org\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/borderlessmag.org\\\/wordpress\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/08\\\/BorderlessLogo_main_square.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/borderlessmag.org\\\/wordpress\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/08\\\/BorderlessLogo_main_square.jpg\",\"width\":696,\"height\":696,\"caption\":\"Borderless Magazine NFP\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/borderlessmag.org\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.facebook.com\\\/BorderlessMagazine\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.instagram.com\\\/borderless_mag\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.tiktok.com\\\/@borderless_mag\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/borderlessmag.org\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/5da9d2ae730fb176fa2be57f4bd6b35c\",\"name\":\"Camilla Forte\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"es\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/393ee8cccadad9fcda3f3a270c639d06087ecdca9568b5602274bfc4ab33415d?s=96&d=mm&r=gfa85f6d77ef7afbf35ac762d8cb1751c\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/393ee8cccadad9fcda3f3a270c639d06087ecdca9568b5602274bfc4ab33415d?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/393ee8cccadad9fcda3f3a270c639d06087ecdca9568b5602274bfc4ab33415d?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Camilla Forte\"},\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/borderlessmag.org\\\/es\\\/author\\\/camilla-forte\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Dos hermanos de Chicago impulsan el skate en Guatemala","description":"Javier y Rodrigo \"Booger\" Ponce est\u00e1n aprovechando su conexi\u00f3n con la comunidad del skate para tener un impacto global.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/es\/2025\/10\/14\/boards-across-borders-dos-hermanos-de-chicago-carta-de-amor-a-la-comunidad-skate-guatemalteca\/","og_locale":"es_MX","og_type":"article","og_title":"Boards Across Borders: Two Chicago Brothers' Love Letter to the Guatemalan Skate Community &#8211; Arts &amp; Culture &#8211; Borderless Magazine NFP","og_description":"Boards Across Borders: Two Chicago Brothers' Love Letter to the Guatemalan Skate Community &#8211; Arts &amp; Culture &#8211; Borderless Magazine NFP","og_url":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/es\/2025\/10\/14\/boards-across-borders-dos-hermanos-de-chicago-carta-de-amor-a-la-comunidad-skate-guatemalteca\/","og_site_name":"Borderless Magazine NFP","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/BorderlessMagazine","article_published_time":"2025-10-14T20:23:41+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-01-28T17:17:04+00:00","og_image":[{"url":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.08.26_BoardsAcrossBorders_Portrait.jpg","width":1080,"height":721,"type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Camilla Forte","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Escrito por":"Camilla Forte","Tiempo de lectura":"6 minutos","Written by":"Camilla Forte"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/2025\/10\/14\/boards-across-borders-two-chicago-brothers-love-letter-to-the-guatemalan-skate-community\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/2025\/10\/14\/boards-across-borders-two-chicago-brothers-love-letter-to-the-guatemalan-skate-community\/"},"author":{"name":"Camilla Forte","@id":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/#\/schema\/person\/5da9d2ae730fb176fa2be57f4bd6b35c"},"headline":"Boards Across Borders: Two Chicago Brothers&#8217; Love Letter to the Guatemalan Skate Community","datePublished":"2025-10-14T20:23:41+00:00","dateModified":"2026-01-28T17:17:04+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/2025\/10\/14\/boards-across-borders-two-chicago-brothers-love-letter-to-the-guatemalan-skate-community\/"},"wordCount":5078,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/2025\/10\/14\/boards-across-borders-two-chicago-brothers-love-letter-to-the-guatemalan-skate-community\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.08.26_BoardsAcrossBorders_Portrait.jpg","keywords":["Boards"],"articleSection":["Arts &amp; Culture","Immigration Policy","Visuals"],"inLanguage":"es","copyrightYear":"2025","copyrightHolder":{"@id":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/es\/#organization"}},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/2025\/10\/14\/boards-across-borders-two-chicago-brothers-love-letter-to-the-guatemalan-skate-community\/","url":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/2025\/10\/14\/boards-across-borders-two-chicago-brothers-love-letter-to-the-guatemalan-skate-community\/","name":"Dos hermanos de Chicago impulsan el skate en Guatemala","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/2025\/10\/14\/boards-across-borders-two-chicago-brothers-love-letter-to-the-guatemalan-skate-community\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/2025\/10\/14\/boards-across-borders-two-chicago-brothers-love-letter-to-the-guatemalan-skate-community\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.08.26_BoardsAcrossBorders_Portrait.jpg","datePublished":"2025-10-14T20:23:41+00:00","dateModified":"2026-01-28T17:17:04+00:00","description":"Javier y Rodrigo \"Booger\" Ponce est\u00e1n aprovechando su conexi\u00f3n con la comunidad del skate para tener un impacto global.","inLanguage":"es","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/2025\/10\/14\/boards-across-borders-two-chicago-brothers-love-letter-to-the-guatemalan-skate-community\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"es","@id":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/2025\/10\/14\/boards-across-borders-two-chicago-brothers-love-letter-to-the-guatemalan-skate-community\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.08.26_BoardsAcrossBorders_Portrait.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025.08.26_BoardsAcrossBorders_Portrait.jpg","width":1920,"height":1281,"caption":"Javier Ponce (left) and Rodrigo Ponce (right) pose for a portrait at Wilson Skate Park in Uptown on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2025."},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/#website","url":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/","name":"Revista Borderless NFP","description":"Historias sobre inmigraci\u00f3n e inmigrantes","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/#organization"},"alternateName":"Borderless","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"es"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/#organization","name":"Revista Borderless NFP","alternateName":"Borderless Mag","url":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"es","@id":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/BorderlessLogo_main_square.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/BorderlessLogo_main_square.jpg","width":696,"height":696,"caption":"Borderless Magazine NFP"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/BorderlessMagazine","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/borderless_mag\/","https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@borderless_mag"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/#\/schema\/person\/5da9d2ae730fb176fa2be57f4bd6b35c","name":"Camilla Forte","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"es","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/393ee8cccadad9fcda3f3a270c639d06087ecdca9568b5602274bfc4ab33415d?s=96&d=mm&r=gfa85f6d77ef7afbf35ac762d8cb1751c","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/393ee8cccadad9fcda3f3a270c639d06087ecdca9568b5602274bfc4ab33415d?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/393ee8cccadad9fcda3f3a270c639d06087ecdca9568b5602274bfc4ab33415d?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Camilla Forte"},"url":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/es\/author\/camilla-forte\/"}]}},"cc_featured_image_caption":{"caption_text":"Brothers Javier Ponce (left) and Rodrigo \u201cBooger\u201d Ponce (right) sit at Wilson Skate Park in Uptown on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2025. Wilson Skate Park has been a landmark for their organization, Boards Across Borders.","source_text":"","source_url":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30269","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/174"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=30269"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30269\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":30672,"href":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30269\/revisions\/30672"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/30259"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=30269"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=30269"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=30269"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=30269"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}