WELCOME, BIENVENIDOS, BENVENUTO, SHALOM
The Highland Park Sister Cities Foundation founded in 1989 by Mayor Dan Pierce
is a premiere organization both
internationally and locally.
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The whale sculpture, Ballena, by Puerto Vallarta artist Octavio Gonzalez, located in the center of Highland Park, was a gift to the people of Highland Park from our Sister City Puerto Vallarta.
OUR SISTER CITIES
Modena
Puerto Vallarta​
Yerucham
In Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region, Modena is known for balsamic vinegar; Maserati, Ferrari, and Lamborghini sports cars, and also being the home of Luciano Pavarotti. Highland Park has a special relationship with Modena because of our large Modenese population.
Described as "The Friendliest City in the World" by Travel + Leisure magazine, Puerto Vallarta is known for its beaches, gastronomy, Mexican culture, and the warmth of its people. Our sister city is located on Mexico's Pacific coast on Banderas Bay, surrounded by the Sierra Madre Mountains.
Located in the Negev Desert, Yerucham is home to a diverse population representing a microcosm of Israel’s many cultural and ethnic communities. Yerucham is the home to the international generics drug manufacturer Perrigo Co.
CURRENT PROJECTS
Robotics Exchange Program
The Highland Park Sister Cities Foundation has partnered with Meta Infinity, Highland Park’s community robotics team, to create a variety of projects with Robotics Teams in our Sister Cities Puerto Vallarta and Yerucham.​ The Highland Park team has been invited to participate in RoboRave, an international robotics competition that will take place in Puerto Vallarta this December.
Food for Soul
The Highland Park Sister Cities Foundation is excited to partner with Buffo’s (431 Sheridan Road, Highwood) to raise funds for Food for Soul, an incredible global initiative founded by Chef Massimo Bottura and Lara Gilmore from our Sister City of Modena, Italy.
Join us Wednesday, November 5th, between 5:00–9:00 PM! Just mention “Food for Soul” when you order, and a percentage of your purchase will help feed the hungry and fight food waste, transforming surplus food into life-changing meals.
Actea
The HPSCF support this not-for-profit in Modena that provides Masterclasses and Competitions for aspiring opera singers around the world.
The Pierce Garden
We maintain the Pierce Garden in Sister Cities Park in downtown Highland Park. The garden was created in honor of former Highland Park Mayor Dan Pierce and houses our whale sculpture, Ballena.
Tool Rental in
Honor of Itai Seif
The HPSCF has partnered with Meta Infinity and the Highland Park Public Library to create tool kits that will become a part of the Highland Park Library's "Library of Things." The kits will read " “Generously donated by the Highland Park Sister Cities Foundation in memory of Itai Seif.”Itai was a part of a student delegation who came to Highland Park from Yerucham. He was killed in Gaza.
Upcoming Projects
Watch this space for news about several upcoming projects including:
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Student Architecture Project
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Collaboration with the University
of Guadalajara Law School -
Firefighters Exchange
The Highland Park, IL, Sister Cities Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to building bridges between cultures and fostering respect and mutual understanding through educational, cultural, and business programs and exchanges.
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