Click play to watch an introductory video of Intercambio; Our philosophy, our methods and why we do it.

Testimonials

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

In 2009 Intercambio:

Services:
• 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.
• Taught computer classes to 50 individuals who set up new email accounts and learned how to navigate the internet.
• Inherited citizenship classes from CAP and had 40 students receive their citizenship!
• Facilitated resource workshops on budgeting, CPR, cross-cultural understanding, and emotional health to 300 immigrants and, 85% of the attendees evaluated the workshops as "helpful or very helpful."
• 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.

Infrastructure:
• Launched a new, more efficient and more replicable program database that is now being used by affiliates and pilot programs in Denver and Boise.
• Worked with a professional evaluator and revamped our program evaluations.

Replication:
• Completed and sold 7,000 copies nationwide of "What Every Immigrant Needs to Know", launched a new website for the guide www.livingintheus.org, and led 8 "Living in the U.S." workshops using the guide.
• Sold its curriculum to programs in Littleton, Greeley, Moab, and Boston and sold its volunteer training to programs in Moab and Greeley

Visibility and Press:
• Was featured in newspaper several times, Comcast news, channel 8, channel 22, 1150AM, KGNU and more.
• Received the Mile High Red Cross Leadership in Inclusiveness Award.

Based on survey results, the following achievements were reported after taking classes through a representative sample of Intercambio students surveyed in 2008:

Infrastructure
• Getting a better job, a promotion or pay increase: 31%
• Better communication with co-workers, boss and clients who speak English: 54%
• Ability to talk to doctors and dentists without an interpreter: 50%
• Feel more confident living in the community: 77%
• Better understanding of U.S. culture: 60%
• Ability to talk to children's teachers and help with children's schoolwork: 41%

Who do we serve? Intercambio students, ages 17-80, came from 43 countries in 2008, 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"