Introductory Video
Click play to watch an introductory video of Intercambio; Our philosophy, our methods and why we do it.
Click here to see what we were able to accomplish in 2011 thanks to your support!
In 2010 Intercambio:
- Coordinated over 1,000 immigrant adults in Boulder County into English classes and trained over 300 volunteer teachers.
- Continued working with SWAP to link together 100 university students with 120 immigrant workers on campus to break down language and cultural barriers.
- Facilitated 12 "Building Cultural Awareness" workshops to 350 people including Rotary Clubs, I Have a Dream participants, the EFAA Board, and YMCA staff members.
- Trained 320 teachers at 10 adult education conferences nationwide on how to train volunteer teachers and to teach laws and discuss cultural differences using "What Every Immigrant Needs to Know".
- Taught computer classes to 50 individuals who set up new email accounts and learned how to navigate the internet.
- Had 29 students receive their citizenship!
- Facilitated resource workshops on budgeting, CPR, cross-cultural understanding, and emotional health to 225 immigrants and, 85% of the attendees evaluated the workshops as "helpful or very helpful."
- Led 15 interactive "Living in the U.S." workshops for 400 immigrants.
- Had 1,700 students, volunteers and community members attend Intercambio events, including another successful La Fiesta, park clean ups, camping trips, ice skating excursions, and weekly dance aerobics classes to encourage physical fitness.
- Distributed 9,000 copies of "What Every Immigrant Needs to Know," to 150 different agencies in 40 different states.
- Rolled our donor database and revenue-generating activities into Salesforce database.
- Made major revisions to six of our twelve book curriculum.
The following achievements were reported by Intercambio students after taking classes in 2010:
- Feel more confident going places in the community: 74%
- Better communicate with co-workers, boss and clients who speak English: 67%
- Better understand U.S. culture and people from different backgrounds: 67%
- Became more involved in their children's education: 63%
- Got a better job, a promotion or pay increase: 44%
In 2010 we developed new program evaluations and tracked the following outcomes from post-evaluations:
- Feel that Boulder County is a welcoming place: 87% (up 21% from pre-evaluations)
- Feel confident responding to emergency situations: 77% (up 22%)
- Feel comfortable interacting with people from other cultures: 71% (up 28%)
- Have native English speaking friendson: 67% (up 22%)
- Feel confident managing money & navigating U.S. financial systems : 67% (up 18%)
Intercambio helps us feel accepted and that it doesn't matter what social class we are, nor the level of education we have. They make us feel that we are all equal and important.
- Jose Gonzalez, Student
My life has changed a lot because I can now communicate with my daughter's teacher.
- Maribel Rosales, Student
When my child went to the hopsital they asked me questions in English about him and about medicine, and I answered in English.
- Rocio Alvarado, Student
Intercambio is not just about English, it is about friendships that you can enjoy and learn from. After five and a half years in New York, I have met more friends in three months because of Intercambio.
- Ernesto Pinto-Andrews, Student
If anyone is looking for a place to volunteer that will expand their world, give them a glimpse into the lives of immigrants in our very own community, and return more in satisfaction than will expend in giving, Intercambio is the place.
- Gretchen Winston, Volunteer
Who do we serve? Intercambio students, ages 17-80, came from 45 countries in 2010, including Korea, Vietnam, Israel, Nepal, Sudan, and Bulgaria. Of our student population:
- 91% are from Latin America, while 9% are Asian, African, or European
- The median age is 33
- 65% are female and 35% male
- 43% have lived in the U.S. for four years or less
- Over 95% qualify as "very low income"