Our Mission
Neighbors Abroad fosters Palo Alto's domestic and international engagement through friendship, education, commerce and sustainability.
Neighbors Abroad is a non-profit, volunteer organization that has been working hand in hand with the City of Palo Alto since 1963. Like other Sister City organizations in the United States, we trace our roots to the mid-1950s, when the legacy of WWII was still casting a shadow over the world. The Eisenhower administration launched our umbrella organization, Sister Cities International, a grassroots network designed to be a champion for peace and prosperity by fostering bonds among people from different communities around the globe.
Connecting Communities & Enriching Lives
Over the decades, as Palo Alto has evolved into the cultural and economic heart of Silicon Valley, Neighbors Abroad has evolved alongside the city. We are active on numerous fronts to forge international understanding and simply make the world a better place. Our programs range from cultural exchanges and art exhibits with our European Sister Cities to the establishment of critical health and environmental programs in Mexico and the Philippines.
Programs & Events
A small sampling of our current and past projects:
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The Leendert Overduin Civil Courage Essay Contest for high schoolers, celebrating the work of a hero of WWII from our Dutch Sister City, Enschede.
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A fundraising partnership with a non-profit in our Sister City Heidelberg to channel supplies and support to vulnerable Ukrainian children following Russia's catastrophic invasion of the country.
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An impactful rainwater capture project in Yaxe, Oaxaca, that is bringing fresh drinking water to indigenous villagers. We were honored to be recognized with a 2022 Innovation in Humanitarian Assistance Award from Sister Cities International in connection with this project.
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Numerous exhibits celebrating Sister City artists, including an Art and Sustainability initiative that grew out of our rainwater harvesting project in Oaxaca.
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A groundbreaking domestic Bloomington, Indiana, launched in partnership with the new Sibling Cities USA non-profit.
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Student exchanges across various of our Sister Cities, including particularly long-running programs in Tsuchiura, Japan, and Oaxaca, Mexico.
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Sponsorship of a children’s library in Palo, the Philippines.
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A long-running chorale exchange between Palo Alto and Albi, France
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Vidas y Sueños, a child-to-child health program that teaches nutrition, health, and environmental awareness in the villages in the state of Oaxaca
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A rainforest reforestation program in Oaxaca.
Recognition for Our Work
Neighbors Abroad has received recognition from the United Nations and was the recipient of the Tall Tree Award from the Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce for Outstanding Community Organization.
We also are honored to have received several awards from Sister Cities International for our programs, including the 2022 Innovation in Humanitarian Assistance Award for our Yaxe rainwater capture project.
