Our collaboration with HISD Abroad helps realize our vision to ensure young leaders from all socioeconomic backgrounds can participate in our programs.
We are committed to providing significant financial assistance to empower HISD Abroad students to embark on life-changing service and leadership experiences, both through participation in our volunteer abroad programs as well as by joining our local initiatives.
In 2021, AMIGOS and North Houston Early College High School (HISD) brought the Community Impact Project to the classroom. Students taking the Principles of Government and Public Administration course connected with peers from Brazil to design positive service projects and support their communities. In doing so, they created projects that addressed critical issues and built a network of like-minded individuals committed to lifelong civic engagement.
This innovative partnership leverages the expertise of two long-standing and well-respected Houston institutions, the Houston Independent School District (HISD) and Amigos de las Américas (AMIGOS). Together, we can work towards the shared visions that:
The Community Impact Project: iLead program prepares 22 students from the Houston Academy of International Studies to be environmental changemakers.
The CIP hybrid program takes place over the course of six weeks. The program has three main components: live workshops twice a week, asynchronous assignments, and mentoring support. Each week, the CIP curriculum offers a different theme to support participants on their journey as they develop a service project. The workshop, asynchronous modules, and assignments connect to one another creating a journey. This year, the curriculum is inspired by the UN Sustainable Development goals to make the world a better place; participants will design and implement a service project of their choice in their community and may use seed funding available to do that.
This partnership offers co-curricular learning programs to support HISD’s effort to ensure that all students are able to become Global Graduates. HISD Global Graduates exhibit the following characteristics:
It has never been more important to equip young people to navigate an increasingly global and multicultural world. Skills learned through cross-cultural connection, one-on-one mentorship, and collaboration with peers serve students as they embark on their careers. Cultivating a global mindset opens the world to the next generation.
Houston, Texas is representative of the increasingly glocal (reflecting both global and local considerations) nature of our society. One of the most diverse cities in the country, nearly half of Houston residents speak a language other than English. Texas is a top global destination for foreign direct investment (FDI), with 32 foreign trade zones and more than 1,500 foreign corporations with ongoing operations in the state. And industry in the city is heavily influenced by global interests and companies, particularly from Latin America. Students who graduate high school prepared to thrive in multicultural contexts are well-positioned to excel in a global workforce.
In 2020, AMIGOS launched our first-ever online program, the Community Impact Project. The objective was to provide opportunities for teens to connect with other globally-minded students around the Americas while addressing needs in their own community. They learned to design and implement ethical, meaningful service projects shaped through cross-cultural collaboration.
The Classroom Community Impact Project is took place during class time and was free to all participants. Students met and collaborated with teens from another country and had 1:1 meetings with mentors. They developed leadership skills like cross-cultural competence and design thinking while exploring issues they’re passionate about.
In 2020, 133 students joined the Community Impact Project and 97% reported a high level of satisfaction with the experience.
The Houston Independent School District, with more than 210,061 students and encompassing 333 square miles within greater Houston, is the seventh-largest public-school system in the nation and the largest in Texas. Six area superintendents oversee HISD elementary, middle, high, and alternative/charter schools (respectively), 280 campuses in total.
The inaugural Classroom Community Impact Project took place at North Houston Early College High School (NHECHS). NHECHS is a public school in Houston ISD. As an early college high school, NHECHS partners with Houston Community College to provide students the opportunity to complete high school graduation requirements and earn an associate degree or at least 60 semester credit hours towards a baccalaureate degree during grades 9–12. Given that 86% of our student body is economically disadvantaged, this dual credit program makes a college degree much more affordable for the community the school serves. According to US News and World Report, NHECHS is in the Top 50 Best Schools in Texas, and have a 100% high school graduation rate. The small campus atmosphere helps foster strong relationships between students and faculty.
The Community Impact Project is a wonderful opportunity for NHECHS students to explore ways to bring about meaningful change in their community. They partnered with AMIGOS to help NHECHS students realize their ability to shape and improve the world around them.
AMIGOS is a youth leadership and community development nonprofit. Founded in 1965 to address a polio epidemic in Honduras, AMIGOS is a leader in youth leadership and volunteer service programming. During the past 56 years, nearly 30,000 students have participated with AMIGOS in 17 countries throughout the Americas.
Across the world, young people play a tremendous role in bringing about community change. AMIGOS has recognized and fueled this energy for 56 years. Our programs challenge students to realize their full potential through transformational experiences in leadership, service, and cultural exchange.
Fill out the form below if you're interested in implementing this program in your school or if you would like to get involved as a mentor.
