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.
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*The Highland Park team has been invited to participate in RoboRave, an international robotics competition that will take place in Puerto Vallarta this December.
Il Tortellnate
The Highland Park Sister Cities Foundation partnered with world-renowned chef Massimo Bottura, his wife, Lara Gilmore, and their inspiring project Il Tortellante. Inspired by their son Charlie, Il Tortellante empowers young adults with autism by teaching them the art of making traditional tortellini alongside Modenese “rezdore” (local women skilled in pasta making). Through this shared experience, participants gain confidence, vocational skills, and a sense of belonging, while also helping preserve a treasured Modenese tradition.
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 Library to create tool kits that will become a part of the the Highland Park Library's "Library of Things". The kits for loan 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.
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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