CYC is based on CARE’s belief that encouraging community service, social responsibility and cultural exchange helps young people better understand the world around them and helps make them better global citizens. It gives high school students an opportunity to learn about the challenges people face in the developing world. CYC also provides students an opportunity to become engaged with poor communities and work together for lasting change. In turn, CYC members bring their support and enthusiasm to a worthy cause.

Each member of CYC is expected to exemplify CARE’s core values: Respect for the dignity and worth of every human being; Integrity demonstrated by honesty and responsibility; Commitment to serving the larger community; and Excellence in all that we do.

What project is CYC supporting
This year, CYC is working to support CARE’s Girls’ Education Project in Guatemala. CARE has worked in Guatemala since 1959, overseeing projects that help poor people improve their lives through better health, education and natural resource management. The Girls’ Education Project works to promote girls' school attendance, education and self-esteem. In impoverished rural areas of Guatemala, only 44 percent of young girls are enrolled in school, and two-thirds of these girls drop out before reaching third grade. The project carries out promotional campaigns, strengthens parent-teacher associations and helps form educational savings groups, which aid mothers in funding their daughters’ primary education.

Selected students from the CYC are invited to take a one-week trip to Guatemala to visit the project supported by their fund-raising activities. The trip will allow students to interact with local youth, meet the community and work with project participants.

How are trip participants chosen?
Interested applicants write essays, provide letters of recommendation and are interviewed by a panel of prominent community leaders, CARE and Delta Air Lines staff. This year, eight students were invited to travel with CARE.

How do CYC members prepare for the trip?
In order to build “team spirit” and learn more about what to expect while traveling in Guatemala, CYC members participate in exciting workshops and discussions where they learned about Latin American history and culture. They also participate in cross-cultural simulations and mini-case studies on development and environmental awareness. CARE staffers from Guatemala lead role-playing exercises, helping CYC students overcome language and cultural barriers. Students get tips and instruction about how to make this adventure as safe, comfortable, exciting and educational as possible.

How do I become a CYC member?
If you are a high school student and would like more information about CYC, or to start a CARE Youth Corps Club in your area, please contact: