The YMCA of South Hampton Roads International Committee's mission is to promote understanding, sensitivity and appreciation of people from other cultures in the world community, and to develop the total person, to strengthen families and to improve human communities both local and global.

The YMCA of South Hampton Roads has an on-going partnership with the YMCA in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The objective of this partnership is to hold up our organization's Christian principles while fostering world peace and understanding, and developing a close friendship between both associations.

This partnership provides many exciting opportunities.

• A group of local teens and YMCA staff travel to Brazil every other year to provide assistance for various programs and learn about other cultures.
• Staff and board members from both sides have visited each others facilities to learn and share ideas.
• YMCA Camp Silver beach employs 30-40 international counselors each year from Europe, Asia, Austrailia and South America to allow campers the opportunity to experience other cultures during their stay at camp.
• YMCA staff and members have made mission trips to the Alpha & Omega Children's Home (a children's orphanage in Garca, Brazil), which provides housing and assistance to under privileged, abused and neglected youth and teens.

International relationships are beneficial in many ways:

• Better awareness and understanding of people from other countries
• Improved communications
• Sharing of knowledge and experience
• Cultural appreciation
• Gain new friends
• Help to serve same or similar mission