COLLABORATIONS |

GENERAL INFORMATION

US Servas has a number of relationships and partnerships with like-minded organizations. We believe that connecting with other organizations pursuing peace and greater international understanding is vital to strengthening worldwide cooperation. Just as hosts and travelers form the Servas network, so we at US Servas believe in the power of building bridges and working together. Below is a list of current collaborations.

YMCA INTERNATIONAL CAMP COUNSELORS PROGRAM

ICCP works to create a global community for American campers. They believe that a multicultural staff is the best way to teach appreciation and respect for different viewpoints. Servas works with ICCP to provide homestays for international counselors. In the summer of 2005, US Servas was asked to give presentations on our international homestay programs at the YMCA ICCP's orientation sessions in Arcata office.

Through visiting with Americans, international camp counselors have the opportunity to explore American culture- learn more about US politics, professions, pastimes, worship, peace and social justice movements firsthand!

INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION (IIE)

IIE broadens the outlook of future leaders through academic and professional exchange that strengthens their ability to think and act on a cooperative basis. They believe exchange among people of different cultures is a critical means for transferring knowledge and skills across borders and preparing a new generation of global citizens. US Servas is working with the IIE headquarters in Arcata to provide day-hosting opportunities for Fulbright students, giving them a chance to learn about American culture and daily life in New York.

New York host Lorraine Heller hosted four Fulbright students in her home for an international Thanksgiving celebration. Read More >

If you are a host in New York and would like to day-host a Fulbright student, contact the New York office for more details.

GLOBAL EXCHANGE

Global Exchange is an international human rights organization dedicated to promoting environmental, political and social justice. Their Bike Aid program is an educational cross-country bicycle tour that engages participants in a critical understanding of the world and how they relate to it. Part of the program includes linking up with local people and community organizations. Last year, Servas helped Global Exchange by providing home hosts for some of their participants.

TravelingEd

TravelingEd increases international awareness in students through their classroom-learning environment. TravelingEd and US Servas have partnered to bring the benefits of cross-cultural exchange with host families to children in the classroom. The Koppel family has become Servas travelers and will be meeting with families from the worldwide Servas network. International studies lesson plans that TravelingEd creates will be augmented with the Koppel’s homestay experiences that allow an inside look at a local culture through its people. To find out more about the Koppel’s worldwide travels and Servas experiences visit TravelingEd's website.

THE NY MIDDLE EAST PEACE QUILT COALITION

The NY Middle East Peace Quilt Coalition, Chaired by US Servas, is a 20-member Coalition of community groups and peace/social justice organizations from throughout New York City. US Servas worked together with these groups from January 2003-September 2003 to organize the New York Middle East Peace Quilt Project, a series of events and exhibits around the Middle East Peace Quilt aimed at bringing diverse communities together to hear each other’s stories and build vital neighborhood relationships. The Middle East Peace Quilt is an international community art project coordinated by a Servas member, together with over 300 Palestinians, Jews and others mostly from North America.

A diverse coalition comprised of community groups and peace and coexistence organizations from Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens and the Bronx has organized and supported this project.

More information about the Middle East Peace Quilt.