Youth Partnerships
Youth Partnerships provide a transformative and life-changing experience for youth of high school and college age. SHARE works with educational institutions to build relationships between US and Salvadoran youth and develop lasting ties for economic and social justice. Youth learn about themselves, their world, and their role in it.
SHARE offers the opportunity for youth to understand global issues and engage in them with the goal of building international civic engagement and global citizens. Youth gain a deeper understanding and compassionate awareness of the people in El Salvador and what it means to live in and challenge their social, political and economic realities.
- Highlights of a Grassroots Youth Partnership
- Youth Partner and SHARE Commitments
- How to Become a SHARE Youth Partner
- Youth Partnership Materials
- Current SHARE Youth Partners
Highlights of a Grassroots Youth Partnership
I learned more about the interconnection between El Salvador and the U.S. That a simple way of life can be an effective and happy way of life. One of the most important lessons I learned is knowledge is power and one of the most important ways to help the poor and vulnerable. As U.S. citizens, we have an impact on the world. It’s our responsibility to educate ourselves so we can use our knowledge to help the world. -SHARE 2010 High School Delegate Youth Delegations come to El Salvador to build relationships with people, communities and projects. Delegates learn about key themes and visit important sites related to El Salvador’s history and current challenges.
Tours are visits of Salvadoran community members to their U.S. counterparts. They provide opportunities for advocacy, fundraising, education, and relationship-building.
Community Development Projects are regional women and youth organizing initiatives which invest in people and the ability to create structural change for a better life. By working with SHARE, youth partners are able to support long-term, sustainable, just change and ensure accountability and transparency in the use of their funds
SHARE works with religious and secular institutions to create extra-curricular and course-related experiences.
Educators have the opportunity to enrich the classroom experience by seeing issues first-hand, coupling classroom and real-world learning experiences. With thirty years of on-the-ground experience, SHARE can offer a broad look at El Salvador’s history and current reality or work with schools to explore specific issues of interest, including:
- civil society and social movements
- gender and women’s rights
- developing democratic institutions
- sustainable development and neoliberal economics
- U.S. foreign policy and its effects
- micro-finance and community cooperatives
- challenges in a post-conflict society
- root causes and effects of migration
- environmental justice
Youth Partner and SHARE Commitments
Youth Partners:
- Support SHARE’s mission and four guiding principals
- Make a three-year minimum commitment
- Seek institutional funds or support and encourage student fundraising for community organizing projects
- Contribute to SHARE through annual membership
- Come on Delegations to El Salvador and host Tours of Salvadorans
- Engage in Advocacy on behalf of the poor and marginalized in El Salvador
SHARE:
- Organizes, coordinates and facilitates delegations and tours from El Salvador.
- Communicates regularly about projects, including stories of the communities and individuals affected and benefited by youth partners
- Keeps youth partners engaged in current events and issues in El Salvador through our blog and eNews bulletin
- Helps generate ideas and provides support for fundraising activities
- Helps facilitate communication between U.S. and Salvadoran Youth Partners.
- Administers and monitors projects
“Being in the rural community helped me learn the importance of sharing with people and living in solidarity… My perspective of the world has changed dramatically. I plan on advocating for social justice back home by creating a sense of awareness about issues in El Salvador and continuing to educate myself. ” -SHARE 2010 University Student Delegate
“I have learned about the impact of poverty, human rights, and health in El Salvador. Being in the rural community helped me learn the importance of sharing with people and living in solidarity. I have learned the importance of good energy, hard work, struggles, perseverance, and hope. I also learned about the economy and the impact the civil war has on people today. My perspective of the world has changed dramatically. I am more critical of U.S. foreign policy. I believe in sharing with people and creating a community. SHARE did a great job of incorporating advocacy issues into the delegation. I plan on advocating for social justice back home by creating a sense of awareness about issues in El Salvador and continuing to educate myself. ” -SHARE 2010 university delegate
How to Become a SHARE Youth Partner
SHARE invites you to take the first step toward becoming a SHARE Grassroots Partner: read the Youth Partnership Discernment Guide and contact us at sharesf@share-elsalvador.org.
Read and share these materials and reflections about Youth Partnerships with SHARE!
SHARE Youth Partnerships Discernment Guide
SHARE Grassroots Partnerships Flier
SHARE Grassroots Fundraising and Outreach Guide
Beyond My Horizons: Youth Delegate Reflection
Spotlight on Cretin-Derham Hall: Living and Teaching Justice
The Roots of Justice: A Reflection by Northwest School Teacher Suzanne Bottelli
Read about our current Youth Partners!
