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2022 Top-Rated Nonprofit

ARLINGTON SISTER CITY ASSOCIATION INC

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Nonprofit Overview

Causes: International, International Cultural Exchange, International Exchange

Mission: Established in 1993, the Arlington Sister City Association (ASCA) is a nonprofit organization affiliated with Arlington County, Virginia. ASCA works to enhance and promote the region's international profile and, also, to foster productive exchanges in education, commerce, culture and the arts. Our programs are sanctioned by Sister Cities International of Washington, D.C. Locally, the ASCA supports and coordinates four local Sister Cities programs and provides guidance for those interested in establishing new Sister Cities programs. Current sister city partnerships and friendships include: Aachen, Germany; Coyoacan, Mexico; Reims, France; San Miguel, El Salvador. More broadly, the ASCA works to promote the following four areas of activities: Arts and Culture Partnerships ASCA works with partner arts and cultural organizations to create and expand performing and visual artist exchanges, shared exhibitions, cultural linkages, and partnerships. Economic Development Opportunities Business and corporate involvement is fundamental to ASCA's programming. ASCA promotes and facilitates open dialogue between Arlington business professionals and their counterparts in our Sister Cities through organizations such as Arlington Economic Development and the Arlington Chamber of Commerce. Educational and Professional Exchanges ASCA provides educational opportunities about other cultures, people and places for Arlingtonians of all ages. Programs include internationally-themed cultural events, K-12 and post-secondary student exchange progams, professional exchange opportunities, lectures and presentations. Global Tourism and Visitation ASCA collaborates with our Sister Cities and community organizations to increase joint tourism opportunities, exploring the idea that we live in a global environment. ASCA invites residents of our Sister Cities to come and enjoy everything our community has to offer.

Community Stories

10 Stories from Volunteers, Donors & Supporters

gcwright Donor

Rating: 5

07/16/2022

I attended the event to support the Ukranian City of Ivano-Frankivsk and am very thankful for the work this organization does to support sister cities around the globe.

sophiatailor Board Member

Rating: 5

06/30/2022

I joined ASCA because, as a Ukrainian-American, I was excited to find out that Arlington is a sister city to Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine. It was very easy to join and the group welcomed me warmly! I have been involved since July 2021 and am now a Co-President of the Ivano-Frankivsk committee.

Since the war in Ukraine began in February 2022, our committee and all of ASCA have been so supportive of Ukrainians both here in the US and in Ukraine. We have hosted numerous events and programs to support Ukrainian organizations and awareness about issues surrounding the war, including a charity event at Clarendon's Northside Social in late March, which was able to raise around $10,000 for a local charity in our sister city of Ivano-Frankivsk. I am so happy to have joined ASCA and am excited for the great work that we will continue to do for both Arlington and our sister cities.

herun Board Member

Rating: 5

06/26/2022

When finding ways to give back to the community, getting involved with families from all over the world and making connections through government, economic development, arts and culture and education, Arlington Sister City Association checks all the boxes!!

DLARL Board Member

Rating: 5

06/25/2022

My family participated in the 5th grade exchange with our sister city of Aachen and it was wonderful to experience daily life with a family in Aachen. ASCA programs bring together people from Arlington and our Sister Cities so we can learn about each other one person or one family at a time. I have also served as the Local Coordinator for high school students from our sister cities who come to Arlington to live with a local family and attend high school for a year or semester. ASCA programs are life changing and many participants develop life-long relationships with their partners from abroad.

JManzolillo Board Member

Rating: 5

06/25/2022

While I am a newcomer to Arlington Sister City Association, ASCA, having joined the Board in 2021, I quickly realized it is an amazing but perhaps little-known organization. Even though I am semi-retired, I still wanted to stay active professionally and apply my business, organizational, and volunteer experience to socially oriented non-profits. I have previously served on boards of grass roots neighborhood educational and international cultural organizations in Baltimore and Washington DC, so when I serendipitously found ASCA I was immediately drawn to their mission and work. The promotion of international understanding, learning, and culture is critical to the health of any society, but particularly so for Americans, especially in today’s’ highly unsettled geopolitical environment. ASCA officers, members and volunteers demonstrate this dedication to fostering international global weal through their activities that bind our sister cities, such as cultural and educational exchanges, and business development opportunities. Perhaps the most impressive one was their recent work with Arlington County’s support for its sister City Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine, which brought home to us the real and immediate dangers and dire needs that not only our sister city residents, but all their country people face today - https://bit.ly/3xSK74u. I cannot think of a more worthy organization to devote your time and financial consideration to than the Arlington Sister City Association.

MShan1 Board Member

Rating: 5

06/24/2022

My family has participated in two student exchanges through the Arlington Sister City Association (ASCA). These well-organized exchanges provided an incredible, eye-opening and extremely meaningful experience for the whole family, expanding our knowledge about another country and culture and introducing us to wonderful people. We also gained an even greater appreciation of our own community as we saw it through our visitors' eyes. In addition to these exchanges, I have attended numerous lectures, panel discussions and events organized by ASCA which have expanded my knowledge of international history, politics and culture. ASCA is a real gem in the Arlington community.

sistercity Board Member

Rating: 5

06/24/2022

In the 1990's, ASCA had no French sister city and no student exchange with France. I was teaching French at Yorktown High School in Arlington and had tried several times to start an exchange with a French high school, so that my students could have that very enriching experience. I turned to ASCA, where members wanted both a French Sister City and were willing to sponsor a student exchange. We started the exchange in 2001 and Reims became our French Sister City in 2004. Bravo and huge thanks to Arlington Sister City Association, where I have been a member for over 30 years.
Elizabeth Schollaert, President, Reims Committee.

gdeleede Board Member

Rating: 5

06/16/2022

Proud to be affiliated with ASCA to build a rich legacy of culture, education, and economic bridges with our sister cities in Germany, France and the Ukraine. ASCA is working hard to promote Arlington’s global identity and international alliances in the world of business, culture, education, immigration, tourism, and humanitarian causes.

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katywheelock Volunteer

Rating: 5

06/15/2022

As a member of ASCA, I’ve been involved with the Arlington-Reims high school student exchanges for over 10 years. The exchanges provide enriching opportunities for Arlington students to use the French language and culture they are learning in school to interact with students and families from Reims. It’s an amazing and rewarding opportunity for our youth to become better citizens of the world.

ASCA1993 Advisor

Rating: 5

06/01/2022

I have had the pleasure to work with Arlington Sister City Association over the last year. ASCA has a very dedicated board of directors and active volunteers that give their time and experience to enhance Arlington County's connection to its five sister cities. ASCA programs, including in part, student and professional exchanges, educational programming, arts and cultural events, etc. enhance the Arlington community by providing cross-cultural experiences. Proud to be a partner in Arlington's citizen-diplomacy efforts.

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