Cross-Cultural Solutions: international volunteer programs around the world

Nonprofit Turns Inward for Solutions

Traveling the world has always been a precarious proposition. For those with an insatiable wanderlust, slinging a bag over one shoulder and a guide map under the other can be as natural as catching a bus. But for most people, traveling abroad can be a daunting experience; one that rarely leads to cultures much different than our own.

Cross-Cultural Solutions, a New Rochelle based nonprofit organization has made bridging the gap between cultures one of its primary missions. Since 1995 the company's clients have been setting off across the globe on humanitarian based "volunteer vacations."

The organization, founded by Steven Rosenthal, 35, has been predicated on delivering humanitarian assistance to those most in need. Healthcare, education, and community development programs are implemented by Cross-Cultural Solutions staff, both in the United States and abroad in conjunction with the program volunteers.

Since the September 11th attacks on the United States, Cross-Cultural Solutions has directed their humanitarian work closer to home. Committing their resources to support efforts at the World Trade Center disaster site, the company has been assisting other emergency response organizations since the first week.

In a statement released by the nonprofit, Rosenthal said the organization was "devoted to volunteering" and would continue to use all its resources as long as they were needed.

They have partnered with the American Red Cross to coordinate volunteers on the cruise ship-The Spirit of New York-and have registered and staffed the ship with enough volunteers for three shifts a day. The ship has become a respite for rescue workers who arrive there to sleep, eat, or just relax from their taxing mission.

"During the Kosovo refugee crisis, we were in refugee camps working alongside the Red Cross and Unicef," said Rosenthal. "We never realized we'd have to do this in our own back yard."

Inundated with requests to assist at the disaster site, the Red Cross asked Cross-Cultural Solutions to take over their call-center. By Monday, September 24, the company's Potter Avenue office had been transformed into an emergency volunteer call bank.

"That's what we do in this office," said Rosenthal. "We take calls from the general public and determine the proper volunteer opportunities for them overseas."

In light of recent events many Americans have already signaled an unwillingness to leave their nation's shores for exotic and far off lands, as well receiving stern warnings from the State Department for Americans to keep "a low profile" abroad.

Unflinchingly, Cross-Cultural Solutions is determined to continue its inter-cultural exchanges. With volunteer operation in seven developing nations, Cross-Cultural Solutions is intent on leading the way in volunteer missions abroad while now focusing on needs at home.

"From what I've seen and from what I've heard," says Rosenthal, "never before has work like ours been more important."

Rosenthal founded the organization in 1995 after a one-year stint in the Peace Corps; not coincidentally the organization has been referred to as a Peace Corps.

"I took a year off from my job as an engineer with AT&T," says Rosenthal of his overseas experience. "When I told people about it they all wanted to do it but didn't have the time."

It was at that point that Rosenthal began developing the Cross-Cultural Solutions model. A model that would emulate the Peace Corps but wouldn't require a lengthy commitment. The company has programs as short as two weeks and as long as six months.

Rosenthal sees the need for his organization now more than ever.

"Because of recent events people will have more of an international focus," said Rosenthal, "and [they will see] the importance of understanding the differences in cultures and building bridges between those cultures."

Cross-Cultural Solutions answered the call for assistance in their own back yard, the same way they have throughout the world.

Unlike most groups working at the site, the small non-profit hasn't received any official funding. Their efforts have already cost the company tens of thousands of dollars, yet the staff insists they will continue regardless of financial difficulties.

"We're concerned with getting the work done," said an exhausted Rosenthal. "We'll keep on doing it until they don't need us anymore."