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PROGRAMS & EXCHANGES

Educational Exchanges 
2021-Sponsoring an Adult Literacy Program in underserved communities in Puerto Vallarta
2021-Collaborated with the Mexican Consulate in Chicago and our partners in Puerto Vallarta to create a Virtual Art Class for Children
2019-Donated Chromebooks to several schools in Puerto Vallarta
2019-Three teachers from Highland Park taught in rural schools using the Chromebooks
2019-Wrote and published Cultures United by Shared Values, (available on Amazon)
2018-AWARD WINNING VIRTUAL CLASSROOM PROJECT connecting students in
Modena and Puerto Vallarta with students in Highland Park
*We sent robotics kits to Yerucham, and students on the District 113 robotics team worked with students in Yerucham over Skype to build a robot that took first place at the First Tech Challenge. 
*We brought a "green architect" from Yerucham to participate in Focus on the Arts to share techniques utilizing the sun, wind, and water to build environmentally friendly buildings, cutting costs and promoting energy savings.

Culinary, Performing, and Visual Arts Exchanges 
2021-Virtual Cooking Class with Chef Thierry Blouet to raise funds for
Art and Cultural Programs for children in Puerto Vallarta
2021-Virtual Concert, From Modena with Love, featuring Modenese tenor Gianni Coletta
2020-6th Puerto Vallarta/Sister Cities Student Jazz Festival
2019-Highland Park Strings Trio taught Masterclasses to music students in Puerto Vallarta
2019-Sister Cities International Youth Choral Festival in Puerto Vallarta
2017-Brought tenor from Modena to Highland Park to perform at FOCUS on the Arts and local concerts
2016-Brought OPERA from Modena to Puerto Vallarta
2016-Brought Puerto Vallarta music students to Highland Park to participate in music classes and attend Ravinia
*Hosted three Sister Cities Culinary Exchanges, featuring chefs from each of our sister cities and local celebrity chefs
*Partnered with the Ravinia Festival to "Celebrate Mexico" featuring a concert by Mexican born, world-famous pianist and Highland Park resident, Jorge Federico Osorio
*Port Clinton Art Festival-Brought artists from Puerto Vallarta to participate
*Commissioned the mural, Cultures United by Music, by Chicago artist Oscar Romero honoring Highland Park and *Puerto Vallarta’s Sister City relationship-The mural is on permanent exhibit at the Puerto Vallarta International Airport.

Sports Exchanges 
*Sponsored and organized the Highland Park High School’s Boy’s Soccer team’s trip to participate in a soccer tournament in Modena.
*Sponsored the Highland Park Sister Cities Foundation’s International Youth Soccer Tournament

Local Business Exchanges
*Highland Park Physical Medicine
Dr. Kinal Patel conducted workshops for physicians and veterinarians on chiropractic medicine
*Pilates Center of the North Shore
Deb LaMantia, owner/instructor participated in exchanges in Pilates and Yoga in Puerto Vallarta
*Chicago Anti Cruelty Society
Partnered with Chicago Anti Cruelty Society and Bienestar Animal shelter in Puerto Vallarta

Fire Protection and Humanitarian Efforts
*Procured Jaws of Life equipment for Puerto Vallarta- Brought Bomberos from Puerto Vallarta to be trained to use the equipment
*During the Pandemic, we worked with our counterparts in Puerto Vallarta to bring food and supplies to needy communities.
 
Support for Charitable Organizations
*Corazón de Niña – a home for children in Puerto Vallarta that provides a nurturing family environment for at-risk girls and boys of all ages. 
*Actea - an organization in Modena that provides scholarships and Masterclasses for opera students
*We have supported the Asilo San Juan Diego Senior Home in Puerto Vallarta
*We have supported a dental clinic in the Negev that cares for those in need, including the Bedouin population.

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