We are excited to announce the launch of our Youth Cultural Exchange Program, a groundbreaking initiative designed to connect young Sri Lankan-Americans with their cultural heritage while building meaningful relationships across generations.
Program Overview
The Youth Cultural Exchange Program pairs young people (ages 16-25) with cultural mentors (ages 50+) for a six-month journey of cultural learning and sharing. The program combines traditional learning with modern approaches to make cultural education engaging and relevant for today's youth.
Program Components
Cultural Mentorship
Each participant is paired with a cultural mentor who shares their knowledge of:
- Traditional Sri Lankan customs and practices
- Family history and personal stories
- Language skills (Sinhala and Tamil)
- Traditional arts and crafts
- Cultural values and philosophy
Modern Cultural Expression
Young participants bring their own perspectives and help mentors understand:
- Contemporary Sri Lankan-American experiences
- Social media and digital culture
- Modern approaches to cultural preservation
- Youth perspectives on cultural identity
- Technology and cultural sharing
Community Projects
Mentor-mentee pairs work together on community projects such as:
- Organizing cultural events for younger children
- Creating digital content about Sri Lankan culture
- Developing educational materials for schools
- Planning intergenerational cultural activities
- Documenting family and community stories
Program Benefits
For Young Participants
- Deep connection to cultural heritage
- Language skills development
- Leadership and community engagement experience
- College application and resume building
- Lifelong friendships with cultural mentors
For Cultural Mentors
- Opportunity to share knowledge and wisdom
- Fresh perspectives on cultural preservation
- Technology skills development
- Active engagement in community building
- Legacy creation and cultural continuity
Success Stories
Sarah and Aunty Kamala
Sarah, 19, was paired with Aunty Kamala, 65, who taught her traditional Sri Lankan cooking. Together, they created a YouTube channel called "Cooking with Aunty Kamala" that has over 10,000 subscribers. "I never knew how much I loved our culture until I started cooking with Aunty Kamala," says Sarah.
Arjun and Uncle Ravi
Arjun, 22, worked with Uncle Ravi, 58, to document traditional Sri Lankan folk songs. They created a digital archive and organized community singing sessions. "Working with Arjun helped me see how our traditions can be preserved in new ways," says Uncle Ravi.
Program Structure
The six-month program includes:
Monthly Group Sessions
- Cultural workshops and presentations
- Community service projects
- Social events and celebrations
- Technology training sessions
- Reflection and sharing circles
Weekly Mentor-Mentee Meetings
- One-on-one cultural learning sessions
- Project planning and development
- Language practice and conversation
- Cultural activity participation
- Progress tracking and goal setting
Application Process
We are currently accepting applications for the next cohort:
For Young Participants (Ages 16-25)
- Submit an application form
- Write a personal statement about cultural identity
- Participate in a group interview
- Complete a cultural interest assessment
For Cultural Mentors (Ages 50+)
- Submit an application form
- Provide references from community members
- Participate in a mentor training session
- Complete a background check
Program Impact
Since its launch, the program has:
- Connected 50 mentor-mentee pairs
- Organized 12 community cultural events
- Created 25 digital cultural resources
- Developed 8 educational programs for schools
- Documented over 100 family stories
How to Get Involved
Applications for the next cohort are due by December 20th, 2024. The program begins in January 2025.
For more information or to apply, contact our Youth Programs Coordinator at youth@culturebridge.com or call (555) 123-4567.
This program represents our commitment to ensuring that Sri Lankan culture continues to thrive in future generations. By connecting young people with their cultural heritage and providing mentors with opportunities to share their wisdom, we are building a stronger, more connected community.
Join us in this important mission of cultural preservation and intergenerational connection!