Our Projects

The Highland Park Sister Cities Foundation brings international partnerships to life through meaningful, community-driven projects. From cultural exchanges to educational programs, our initiatives foster understanding, collaboration, and lasting relationships between Highland Park and our sister cities around the world.

Each project reflects our commitment to cultural diplomacy, youth engagement, and shared learning, connecting people across borders while strengthening our local community.

Student Robotics Exchange

HPSCF helped connect Highland Park’s student community robotics team, Meta Infinity, with Puerto Vallarta’s Katatronics to form Metatroniks—an international team competing at contests in Mexico and Japan. Together, these students designed an innovative robot working to remove waste from our oceans.

Itai Seif Tool Kit Donation

HPSCF launched the Itai Seif Tool Kit as part of the Highland Park Public Library's “Library of Things,” honoring a young participant in a past robotics exchange from our sister city of Yerucham, Israel, who lost his life in Gaza.

Law School Lecture

Assistant State’s Attorney Eduardo Zermeño of the Lake County State's Attorney’s Office recently led an engaging lecture and Q&A for the University of Guadalajara Law School in Puerto Vallarta. This meaningful exchange was made possible through collaboration between the HPSCF and the Puerto Vallarta–Highland Park Sister Cities Committee.

Architectural Exchange

Visit our YouTube page featuring a series of videos from our Sister Cities Architectural Exchange Series. In these videos, HPSCF student liaison Liam partnered with Luis, a student from Puerto Vallarta, to explore the meaningful connection between our two sister cities.

Pierce Garden

HPSCF maintains the Pierce Garden in Sister Cities Park in downtown Highland Park. The garden was created in honor of former Highland Park Mayor Dan Pierce and houses our whale sculpture, Ballena.

Actea

HPSCF supports this not-for-profit in Modena that provides Masterclasses and Competitions for aspiring opera singers around the world.

Il Tortellante

This therapeutic, educational, and social enterprise in Modena teaching autistic teenagers and adults to hand-make traditional tortellini, is one of many organizations championed by HPSCF.

Citta Dei Ragazzi

HPSCF proudly welcomed a delegation from Modena honoring the extraordinary legacy of Don Sante Bartolai—Highland Park native, humanitarian, and founder of Città dei Ragazzi. The group's visit celebrated the deep and enduring bond between our Sister Cities, rooted in shared history, compassion, and cultural connection.