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WELCOME
The mission of the Highland Park Sister Cities Foundation is to bridge cultures and promote goodwill and global peace through educational, cultural, sports, and business exchanges and programs.
Founded in 1989 by Mayor Dan Pierce, the HPSCF creates opportunities to connect the residents of Highland Park with the people in our Sister Cities.
The whale sculpture, Ballena, by Puerto Vallarta artist Octavio Gonzalez, located in the center of Highland Park was a gift to the people of Highland Park from our Sister City Puerto Vallarta.
OUR SISTER CITIES
Modena
Puerto Vallarta
Yerucham
In Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region, Modena is known for balsamic vinegar; Maserati, Ferrari, and Lamborghini sports cars, and also being the home of Luciano Pavarotti. Highland Park has a special relationship with Modena because of our large Modenese population.
Described as "The Friendliest City in the World" by Travel + Leisure magazine, Puerto Vallarta is known for its beaches, gastronomy, Mexican culture, and the warmth of its people. Our sister city is located on Mexico's Pacific coast on Banderas Bay, surrounded by the Sierra Madre Mountains.
Located in the Negev Desert, Yerucham is home to a diverse population representing a microcosm of Israel’s many cultural and ethnic communities. Yerucham is the home to the international generics drug manufacturer Perrigo Co.
CURRENT PROJECTS
La Desembocada Art Program for Kids
The HPSCF partners with the Puerto Vallarta Sister Cities Committee on DesemocArte, a program that brings art lessons to children in underserved communities.
(Click here to learn more about this program.)
Adult Literacy Project
The HPSCF partners with the Puerto Vallarta Sister Cities Committee to provide adults in rural areas an opportunity to learn to read and write.
Actea
The HPSCF supports Actea, a program in Modena that provides workshops and scholarships to young opera singers.
Tae Kwon Do
The HPSCF sponsors self-defense classes in underserved areas of Puerto Vallarta.
Student Ambassador Program
This new program connects Highland Park students with their counterparts in Puerto Vallarta to learn about each other's cultures, traditions and daily lives. (Click here to learn more about this program.)
The Highland Park, IL, Sister Cities Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to building bridges between cultures and fostering respect and mutual understanding through educational, cultural, and business programs and exchanges.
We'd love to hear from you! Fill out the form below and we will be in touch: