CISV Jacksonville 50th Anniversary: Building Peace for the Next Generation

Celebrating 50 Years of Global Friendship & Peace Education

For half a century, CISV Jacksonville has been transforming young lives through the power of international friendship and peace education. What started in 1976 with Dorothy Groshell's dream to bring global understanding to Jacksonville youth has grown into a vibrant community organization that continues to build bridges across cultures, one child at a time.

Join us as we celebrate this incredible milestone and ensure our mission continues for the next 50 years!

Our Impact: Then & Now

Since 1976, CISV Jacksonville has:

Connected hundreds of local youth with peers from around the world
Provided life-changing international experiences through camps and exchanges
Brought global perspectives to Jacksonville through our local programming
Developed future leaders committed to peace, diversity, and human rights
Created lasting friendships that span continents and generations

Where Your Support Goes

Your donation directly supports two vital areas of our work:

🏡 Local Programming

FACES of Jacksonville: Bringing together 10-11 year olds from diverse Jacksonville neighborhoods to build local friendships and cultural understanding
Junior Branch: Empowering teens to lead peace education initiatives in our community
Mini-Camps: Introducing younger children to intercultural learning through fun, local programs
Community Outreach: Educational programs that promote peace education throughout Northeast Florida

🌍 Domestic & International Camp Support

Scholarships: Ensuring financial barriers don't prevent deserving youth from life-changing international experiences
Program Fees: Supporting our six programs including Village (age 11), Youth Meeting (12-13), Step Up (14-15), and Junior Counselor (16-17), Fortnight (16-17), and Seminar Camp (17-18)
Leader Development: Training adult volunteers who guide and mentor our young participants
Global Connections: Maintaining our partnerships with CISV chapters in 69 countries worldwide

Why This Matters More Than Ever

In today's interconnected yet divided world, CISV's mission is more crucial than ever. We're raising global citizens who:

Appreciate diversity and practice inclusion
Resolve conflicts through peaceful dialogue
Champion human rights and social justice
Create sustainable solutions to global challenges
Build bridges instead of walls

Your Impact

$25 - Provides materials for a local FACES workshop $50 - Covers a full day of snacks for campers $100 - Supports Junior Branch leadership activities $250 - Fully sponsors a child's mini-camp experience $500 - Contributes to international program scholarships $1000 - Covers international airfare for a local child's global adventure

Every dollar makes a difference in building a more peaceful world!

Dorothy's Dream Lives On

As our CISV Jax founder Dorothy Groshell envisioned: "The variety of international experiences CISV offers our children expand their horizon of global understanding and tolerance in hopes of world peace."

Your support ensures her dream—and the dreams of countless young people—continue to flourish for generations to come.

Join Our 50-Year Legacy

Whether you're a CISV alumni, a parent whose child has benefited from our programs, or simply someone who believes in the power of education for peace, your support helps us continue building the leaders our world needs.

Together, we're not just celebrating 50 years of history—we're investing in 50 more years of hope, friendship, and peace.

CISV Jacksonville is part of CISV International, a UNESCO partner organization operating in 69 countries worldwide. We are committed to transparency and will provide regular updates on how your donations are making a difference in our community and beyond.

Ready to build peace with us? Your donation today creates tomorrow's global citizens.

Celebrating 50 Years of Building Peace Through Friendship

Team Members