Uniting Borders (UB) is a non-profit organization aiming to improve the lives of underprivileged children and families around the world. By helping with providing access to education, meeting their basic needs, and providing ongoing support, the organization tackles issues that directly impact quality of life. It focuses on improving cooperation and creating lasting solutions.
The long-term goal of Uniting Borders is to give every child the opportunity to grow, learn, and reach their full potential. Together with local communities, Uniting Borders fights against poverty and lack of resources through teamwork and sustainable methods. Guided by values of empowerment, compassion, and cooperation, the non-profit seeks to create lasting change, helping one life, one family, and one community at a time.
UB’s mission is to empower individuals to overcome challenges and build brighter, more fulfilling futures. The Uniting Borders team — Doug Santos, Sabrina Silveira, and Daniel Carroll — is united by a shared dedication to helping others. They achieve this not only by supplying essential items such as clothing and shoes, but also by empowering individuals and transforming lives.
“Where there is need, we seek opportunity. Uniting Borders is not bound by borders — we go where hearts are open and hands are ready to help. Be the difference!”
Sabrina Silveira
MEET THE TEAM
Doug Santos — UB came to life through the vision of its founder, Doug Santos, of Peabody. Born in Brazil, Santos immigrated to the U.S. at the age of 7. Santos’ journey, shaped by his Brazilian roots and deep immersion in American culture, gave him a unique and multifaceted worldview.
Santos discovered his love for American Football in fourth grade, a sport that instilled in him valuable lessons about personal growth, stability, security, and discipline. Influenced by philosophers such as Aristotle and Socrates, Doug realized his passion for helping others seek better lives. These are values and beliefs that he brought with him while attending Assumption University in Worcester where he received his degree in Criminal Justice and Sociology and served as the team captain on the football team.
UB’s journey began in 2020 with the creation of the Uniting Borders Club, an initiative focused on collecting shoes for underprivileged children. Grateful for the chance to attend college and gain skills in a way that might not have been possible in Brazil, Santos founded Uniting Borders as an organization not too long after.
His goal is to address the disparities and overcome the disadvantages faced by individuals in lower socioeconomic environments.
Sabrina Silveira — Pursuing a career in psychotherapy, Sabrina Silveira, of Peabody, earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Social Work from Salem State University and is now a licensed Clinical Social Worker. The daughter of two immigrants, Silveira is a first-generation Portuguese-Brazilian American who was raised with a strong emphasis on community service.
She has experience working with a variety of populations, such as community clinic patients, children in foster care, and individuals with severe mental illness in assertive community treatment programs.
Silveira reconnected with Santos, whom she had known since childhood, and together they naturally formed Uniting Borders. Having family members who grew up in Brazil with limited resources, Sabrina deeply understands the impacts of poverty. She firmly believes every child, regardless of birthplace, deserves access to basic necessities.
For Sabrina, the solution is straightforward: lives can be transformed with adequate support.
Daniel Carroll — “Energetic” and “passionate” are two words that describe Daniel Carroll, of Peabody. Carroll was born in Guatemala and adopted by a loving family in the U.S. at nearly four years old. Learning about his early life, characterized by hunger, poverty, and instability, fostered a profound connection to those still experiencing such conditions.
This connection deepened upon reconnecting with his biological family in 2018, which became the second happiest day of his life. Just weeks later, he traveled to meet them in person, which he describes as the happiest day of his life.
Now, Daniel is driven to help others through UB, having once been a child in need himself. His personal journey fuels his commitment to supporting children and families facing similar struggles, both abroad and in the U.S.
Carroll hopes his story will resonate with others, prompting them to say, “Hey, that sounds like me.”
UB’s mission is rooted in connection and compassion — committed to supporting communities and countries around the world. Along the way, they partner with those who are driven by purpose, passion, and a genuine desire to make a difference.
The organization’s work naturally started in Brazil, where Santos and Silveira’s social and familial ties provided a solid base for their outreach efforts. Through a partnership with Peruvian UFC fighter Daniel “Soncora” Marcos, they have now expanded into Peru, where Marcos is assisting them in delivering resources to underserved communities in his home country.
Both material and financial donations can be made by contacting the organization via their Instagram @unitingborders or by emailing [email protected]. Financial contributions are currently accepted via PayPal, with plans to expand donation options to include platforms such as Venmo and CashApp.
UB ensures that all donations reach their intended destinations by partnering with trusted connections, actively fundraising, and personally traveling to each country to help distribute the donations firsthand.
Another great way to support UB is by representing the mission through their newly released hoodie. Available in sizes S to 2XL and offered in white, pink, dark blue/grey, and black, these hoodies are more than just apparel — they’re a statement of support. All proceeds go directly toward shipping donated goods and funding UB’s ongoing fundraising efforts.
In addition to these methods of support, you can also follow UB on Instagram. Engage with their content by liking and sharing, and help raise awareness by using the hashtag #BeTheDifference. Their Instagram page is also the best way to get real-time updates on their goals, initiatives, and ongoing work.
UB is also developing a monthly newsletter to keep supporters informed, inspired, and connected to the impact they’re making together.
“Where there is need, we seek opportunity,” Silveira said. “Uniting Borders is not bound by borders — we go where hearts are open and hands are ready to help. Be the difference!”
