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BUILDERS BEYOND BORDERS |
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ABOUT US • Contact Us The Spirit of B3 
Mission
BUILDERS BEYOND BORDERS is a private, not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization whose mission is to provide high school students the opportunity to engage in humanitarian service, strengthen their awareness of diverse cultures, and develop a lifelong commitment to helping others by participating in construction projects to benefit impoverished communities throughout the world. History In 1993, Jeri and John Skinner "inherited" the church-based organization "Kingdom Builders", a youth group that traveled on annual mission trips. Interest in the organization grew and embraced students of all faiths as well as those with no religious connections. After serious deliberation, the Skinners decided to separate the organization from its sponsoring church and to find a new, more inclusive name for the organization - BUILDERS BEYOND BORDERS ("B3"). At the same time, they made the decision to focus primarily on international projects because there were numerous U.S. organizations already doing similar work domestically, and because the opportunity to expose American students to emerging countries in a personal and non-tourist style was too great to resist. In 2007, the Skinners retired from B3 after seeing it grow to over 300 students traveling in 10 teams each year. Today, B3 is run by Amy Schroeder-Riggio, Executive Director, and Craig Skinner, Managing Director, along with a dedicated Board of Directors. Participation in B3 trips and projects has increased dramatically, from 20 high school students in 1993 to a projected 320 venturing to Guatemala in 2008. The list of countries where B3 has sent students includes Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Honduras, and Tobago - click here for descriptions and photos of past trips. 
Trip Structure
Each group consists of approximately 34 high school students and 6 adult advisors, none of whom is a parent or teacher to anyone in the group. Students are expected to work throughout the year to fund and then to undertake construction projects - working hand-in-hand and heart-to-heart with the people - that improve the lives of the impoverished, building structures such as homes, schools, medical clinics, day care centers, etc. There are no restrictions as to who may belong; a teen must only have the desire to become a part of B3 and to care deeply about our fellow man. B3 is open to all high school students who are willing to work with those less fortunate than they. Each student must earn a substantial portion of his or her own way in order to participate; parents cannot simply write a check. Scholarship funds are available to encourage a diverse group of students on each trip. Our Favorite Quotes "I have been meaning to write you about the fabulous trip my daughter had. I have experienced "the look" as I am now calling it. When I picked her up, she had this look on her face that was worth a million dollars. She was so stunned in the greatest way possible by her experience. Everything she has articulated to me continues to be surrounded by a sense of awe. I am beyond happy that she went and beyond grateful to you all for providing this life altering experience." -- B3 Parent "…arriving with a little bit of something…leaving with a little bit of everything…" -- B3 Student 
"This unique experience allowed me to bask in the world of a different culture and in the process discover many things I did not know about myself. I met a multitude of people and befriended many, and feel that I have made a valuable contribution to humanity - thank you." -- B3 Student "Whatever secret you found to reach these kids at a somewhat difficult and stressful time in their lives is a blessing." -- B3 Parent ..."the worst 24 hours of my life was the best time I ever had!" -- B3 Student |
8 Willard Road • Norwalk, CT 06851 USA Tel: (203) 847-5220 • Fax: (203) 847-5112 Email: info@buildersbeyondborders.org |