OneWorld Now! was founded in Seattle, WA as a project of the Tides Center in 2002. At that time, we launched a pilot program at Ingraham High School with just 12 students. As we enter our 10th year of programming in 2012, we are pleased to have expanded our program to eight of the high schools and now two of the middle schools in the Seattle Public School District. We have served over 1,000 youth, most of whom are low-income and youth of color in the Seattle area. In addition, we have partnered with schools in Los Angeles and New York City and are now expanding the full OWN program outside of Honolulu in Hawaii. Underserved youth have historically had the least access to international learning opportunities and OneWorld Now! is making a significant difference in our students’ lives! OWN was a pioneer when founded in a post-9/11 climate, offering Arabic and Chinese to public high school students, and yet our mission & vision seem just as critical today as it was back then! OWN has been recognized as one of the nation’s most innovative after school programs by the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation and the OWN founder, Kristin Hayden, was elected as an Ashoka fellow for recognizing innovative solutions and the potential to change patterns across society. OWN’s award-winning program model in Seattle offers a new & integrated approach to developing the next generation of global leaders!

OWN is committed to providing critical language skills, leadership training and study abroad opportunities to underserved youth. OneWorld Now! is an award-winning and innovative social venture that exists to develop the next generation of global leaders.

We are innovative in that we are one of the only programs in the nation that: •Spends at least one year preparing youth by providing language and leadership training to ensure their success abroad •Focuses on providing access to study abroad opportunities to mostly low-income youth and students of color •Teaches strategically important languages, such as Arabic and Chinese, which are not typically offered in American public schools •Offer an integrated and holistic program of language, leadership and study abroad OneWorld Now! is developing global leaders by supporting our youth in being successful in all areas of their lives. Beyond the language, leadership and study abroad program, OWN supports youth through mentorship, college prep and networking for scholarships, internships and career opportunities. Our passionate and committed staff, teachers and volunteers reflect the OneWorld Now! students, who inspire us every day. Together, we are all working towards creating a world that acknowledges how we are all connected and all responsible for each other’s well-being. We are…OneWorld…and the time to contribute positively is Now!.