Dear Friends of Utah
This October, we hosted thirteen high school students and three adult mentors from Bolivia and Peru as part of the U.S. Department of State's Youth Ambassadors Program, which promotes mutual understanding, increases leadership skills, and prepares youth to make a difference in their communities. The students started their program with five days in Washington, D.C., traveled to Salt Lake City for a week and a half, and finished their program two days back in Washington, D.C., before returning to their countries. Their learning experiences during the exchange program focused on the theme of multiculturalism and civic engagement.
While in Utah, the students engaged in volunteer activities, experiential learning labs, and cultural activities. Some highlights included an American football game at West Jordan High School, a tour of the State Capitol and meeting with Representative Elizabeth Weight, a full day of classes at the local high school Salt Lake Center for Science Education, a mosque tour with Emerald Project, a meal service at a Catholic Community Services soup kitchen, and a night of fun at Cornbelly's Halloween carnival and corn maze.
It's always difficult to say goodbye to the lifelong friends we make through our programs. We learn just as much from these groups as they do from us.
I also want to say thank you to the generous businesses, organizations, and individuals who helped make this program possible:
- Utah State Legislature
- West Jordan High School
- Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple
- Emerald Project
- Khadeeja Islamic Center
- LDS Humanitarian Center
- 104 Youth
- Salt Lake Center for Science Education
- Natural History Museum of Utah
- Encircle
- Youthlinc
- Utah Arts Alliance
- Nepalese Association of Utah
- Catholic Community Services
- Little America Hotel
- Rabbit Rentals
Globally,
Felecia Maxfield-Barrett
Executive Director
