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This program is really the
catalyst for our other five program areas. 
Our U.S. and Mexican volunteers are the true heart of Corazón. We rely on
them for everything from teaching classes, running sports clinics,
constructing houses, sponsoring scholarships to donating funds and materials
and telling their Corazón stories to their friends, neighbors, church
members, and co-workers to encourage wider participation. The Corazón
program has always been about more than just service projects in Mexico. It
is about fostering a reciprocal awareness through community building.
The goal of this particular program is to build community by
1. promoting an understanding of Mexico’s culture and people on the part of U.S. volunteers. Volunteers from the U.S. experience the culture, language and daily life of their southern neighbors. They begin to break down many of the misconceptions and stereotypes they may have, giving them a greater understanding of the world around them. The volunteers bring this knowledge home with them, spreading the word, educating others and becoming better citizens in their community.
2. promoting an understanding of U.S. culture and people on the part of Mexican participants. The Mexican participants and volunteers discover their northern neighbors. They begin to understand our culture better, not just what they see in the movies or on TV. They experience U.S. volunteers as individuals and create a personal relationship. They see them as partners rather than benefactors. Perceptions and misconceptions are cleared allowing for respect and acceptance to grow.
3. building a spirit of teamwork and confidence among volunteers from both sides of the border. They learn to work together, rely on each other, and learn and use new skills, while also understanding the true spirit of service and the satisfaction of accomplishing work that is beneficial to others. The shared experience and adventure provides a strong sense of accomplishment in the family, club, school, church, or work group participating and of self-reliance and empowerment in the Mexican families and communities.
Everyone learns to overcome barriers like language and prejudice. Lifetime memories are made. Families bond, not just with each other but with other families, from both sides of the border.
Corazón’s programs bring neighbors together into a larger community and inspire mutually beneficial relationships across physical, linguistic, economic and cultural borders making both communities better.
