A Brief History

• 1956 Dr. Henry Ollendorff brought 26 Germans for youth leadership training as a way to reconnect the US to post-war Germany

• Very satisfied with the program, they recommended to include social workers & youth leaders as well as other countries

• 1957 Fifty-one social workers and youth leaders from eight countries participated

• 1958 Chicago joined with participants from 10 countries; agencies included Hull House and Chicago Commons

• 1965 CIP USA formed to serve as an umbrella organization for affiliates throughout the country

• 1968 Extended program (13-month) added

• To date about 10,000 professionals from over 150 countries have come, shared their knowledge, experience and strengths and took back home a taste of the American way of life, work and values