Giving Tuesday: Support Greenheart International

Program Description

Camp Greenheart welcomes Chicago youth to have a true summer camp experience filled with team building, confidence boosting, and creativity-inspiring activities—free of any financial burden. This experience is further enriched with environmental, social, and cultural awareness education that empowers campers to become global leaders in their communities. Campers return with a deeper appreciation for their natural surroundings and concern for the well-being of their self, others, and the world.

Testimonials

“I learned that in leadership you can create a safe place for each other. Also, in this you can create a good bond with other people.”

“I plan on acting as a global leader by spreading around what I learned about pollution, global warming, and the Earth’s climate so we can stop the Earth from turning into a place we can’t live anymore.”

“My favorite part was meeting new people from camp and all around the world because it was interesting to learn about them.”

“I learned not to litter and to recycle. The reason they are important is because if you litter and animals eat the litter, they will die. If you don’t recycle, what you throw away will come back to you.”

Sponsors

MB Financial Bank, Swissotel Chicago, Fairmont Hotels, IMC, Camp Out for Kids, Taxback.com, KIND Snacks

Program Description

The Greenheart Global Leaders Conference unites change-makers in the pursuit of making a more sustainable, healthy, and socially-just planet. The conference welcomes Greenheart Travel and Greenheart Exchange participants and alumni from around the world to embark on a true cross-cultural experience involving volunteerism, professional networking, personal development, and leadership training. This journey empowers participants to pursue meaningful careers, unites them in a global network of volunteers, and gives them the tools to initiate positive change in the world.

Testimonials

“Every participant, facilitator, and speaker changed my way of seeing the world, but most importantly they gave me hope. They showed me that the future is going to be bright because there are so many people fighting for human rights. They showed me that there is not a single barrier that we cannot overcome. I don’t think that I can put into words how grateful I am to donors for allowing me this experience. I will make sure to have them in mind every time I achieve something and also every time I fail, so I can remember that they trusted me and that I cannot let them down.”

– Camila Boriz, Ecuador, 18-years-old

“The site visits had a great impact on us, especially for those who see themselves at a turning point in their lives. This is the case for me as I have just finished high school and I am starting university in the fall, and I believe the GGLC experience has given me many new ideas of how to pursue a mission-driven career within my field of study. This conference has shown me that there are so many young adults who have seized opportunities to have an impact that goes beyond our own life and they inspire me to do the same. Often times during the conference I thought to myself that these people will be the change-makers of tomorrow and the beauty of it is that now, through the GGLC, they might even work together. We now feel more globally connected and more equipped to have an impact on the world.”

– Frederik Wilhelm, Germany, 20-years-old

Sponsors

ALTOUR, HCC InsuranceEnvisage International, GoAbroad Foundation, Hershey’s, Taxback.com

Program Description

Greenheart awards service grants to sustainable, high-impact projects around the world. Current participants and alumni can apply for grants of up to $1000 to implement their project in either their host or home community. The Greenheart Club funds, monitors, and shares stories of each ongoing, international project. By working with our participants and alumni to lead impactful projects throughout the globe, Greenheart is living out its mission to connect people and planet. Each year, as our alumni network continues to expand, more and more of our participants are working towards an environmentally sustainable, socially just and peaceful planet.

Testimonials

Ezekial is using his Greenheart Service grant to revive the chess club for students of Cristóbal Colón in Colombia through the purchase of chess sets and team shirts. He is also organizing a community-wide chess tournament.

“The objective of this project is to create a lasting positive impact by growing opportunities for the community. Sometimes there is only one chess set available, with ten or more students waiting to play. Particularly within public schools here, there are very few opportunities for supported activities which focus on challenging and engaging the mind more than the body. The students of this community are truly inspiring. Despite facing poverty, corruption, social and political turmoil, they remain positive and motivated to move forward. The younger people of Montería are energized and optimistic about their future.”

Ketevan is using her Greenheart Service Grant to implement a training for Georgian youth living in remote, rural areas. Young women will be empowered to break down gender-based stereotypes, support gender equality, and express their voices through modern digital technology.

“I think that strengthening even one girl and giving her opportunities for self-development and providing her knowledge on women’s rights and modern technologies makes her more globally involved. By educating her, you educate the future.”

Sponsors

MB Financial Bank

Program Description:

Greenheart Travel offers the opportunity for high school students to broaden their perspective through volunteer and language immersion programs abroad. In July 2017, a group of eight students from Chicago’s Foundations College Preparatory participated in a week-long volunteering adventure in rural Costa Rica. Our students gained intimate knowledge of Costa Rican culture by living with host families, caring for rescued wild animals, volunteering at a local school, participating in environmental conservation initiatives, and practicing their Spanish-speaking skills. All students were first-time international travelers.

Testimonials

“In Costa Rica, I experienced things that I wouldn’t have seen in the major cities like Chicago where we live. Just being able to experience a whole other culture, because when you go to someplace in the U.S., you understand the culture because it is still America. But when you’re going to a whole other country you feel this culture shock. You see things that are different and when you sit down and think about it, it’s like “Wow, I don’t know what to do here. There is a language barrier. I look different from everyone. I’m staying with someone else’s family.” But then, you just figure it out. You find a way to communicate and you get comfortable. It really helped me learn to see a new way of life. I’m glad that I was a part of the trip because it really changed me as a person.”

– Taron, 15-years-old

“The biggest challenge I faced as an individual was going through culture shock because me as a young lady never really opened up to seeing major changes from the place I call home and cherish with a piece of my heart. My definition of culture shock means to be scared of a certain environment, but then to change like a butterfly so you shine at your fullest potential and inspire a world of brave travelers. I thought I was going to stay shy forever but coming on this trip actually gave me new possibilities for what I never thought would be open for me to try.”

– Shyan, 15-years-old

Sponsors

IMC