YOUTH AMBASSADORS A lifetime of service begins with a three-week exchange Partners brings together youth ages 15–18 of limited means and/or limited international experience to build understanding among countries, increase leadership skills and develop a commitment to service. Youth engage with local government and civic organizations, build relationships with host families and their peers, and participate in skills-based training that enables and empowers them to mobilize their communities toward positive change. The Youth Ambassadors program is sponsored by the United States Department of State and implemented by Partners of the Americas. The 2016 program involves participants from Colombia and Venezuela traveling to Washington, D.C. followed by Tennessee and Arkansas in two separate and mixed country delegations.
Mentor Profiles
Arkansas Delegation Ángela María Betancur, 29 Ángela is a social worker at the University of Antioquia in Colombia and has more than five years of professional experience, most of which has been through working with young people with and without disabilities on issues concerning empowerment, youth leadership and prevention of gender-based violence. Ángela has also developed processes with youth not only in Colombia, but in the United States while she was Atlas Corps Fellow for a year and a half in the city of Washington, DC. There, she worked with young Latinos and African Americans in programs and projects related to mental health, peace building, substance use, and violence against women. She enjoys activities such as yoga, meditation, ecotourism, and loves dogs.
Milena Isabel Peña, 30 Milena is a business owner and education professional from Carabobo, Venezuela. She has a bachelor’s degree in education with a concentration in ESL and has extensive project management experience from concept to development. Milena has taught English to 6th graders at the Colegio Los Robles and at Animaginarte, a digital animation institute. Milena enjoys working effectively within a team and has a strong desire to inspire and lead individuals and groups of people. Motivated by her optimism and interests in education, she is enthusiastic about guiding this group of talented students on an unforgettable experience.