Vision, History & Impact

Mission

Develop the next generation of global leaders.

Vision

OneWorld Now! envisions a world where all young people have access to transformative international education.

Values, Commitments and Beliefs

OneWorld Now! is committed to providing equitable opportunities to develop and build leadership skills through the learning of world languages, study abroad, and the expansion of educational opportunities for the youth we serve.
OneWorld Now! prepares students to interact with and in new environments. We build the skills for students to be effective global citizens, such as speaking new languages and respectfully navigating diverse cultures.
OneWorld Now! embodies a commitment to building inclusive communities locally and globally. We serve diverse populations of youth and strive to create heterogeneous learning environments.
OneWorld Now! values the role that students should take in their own learning. We place students at the center of our curriculum, recognizing that they are at the heart of our organizational practices.
OneWorld Now! recognizes that learning manifests differently in each individual. We unlock the inherent potential of every student within our program.
OneWorld Now! offers a forum for questions and conversations that encourage independent and critical thinking, while exposing students to a wide range of human experiences.
OneWorld Now! values life-long learning and continued improvement to teaching and learning as individuals and as a community.

Our Story

OneWorld Now! was founded in Seattle, Washington, in 2002, following the events of 9/11. It was a brave vision in the atmosphere of the time. OWN Founder, Kristin Hayden, sought to build bridges of connection with cultures the U.S. has been challenged to understand. She also believed in the power of focusing on high school students who have the least access to global education. In the beginning, we launched a pilot Arabic language program at Ingraham High School in north Seattle with just 12 students. Today, OWN involves 250 students annually. Our programs enroll students in person in Seattle and online from across the U.S. – and beyond!

OWN was an innovator when it was founded in a post-9/11 climate, yet our mission and 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 combines critical world language skills, leadership training, and study abroad opportunities. We are one of the only programs in the nation that

Offers an integrated and holistic program of accredited language, leadership, and study abroad to high school students.
Prioritizes access to high school students furthest from educational equity: communities of color, communities new to the U.S., communities facing economic hardship, and/or first generation college students (81% of our students).
Teaches accredited classes in Arabic, Chinese, Korean, and Russian, four strategically important languages that are not typically offered in American public schools.
Offers programs on a sliding scale to ensure access.

Highlights of OneWorld Now’s Impacts

OWN has served 2,200 youth since its founding. 92% of OWN students intend to go on to college after high school, often being the first generation of their family to do so.
Our alumni have received scholarships and positions with: Gilman Program, Rangel Fellowship, Fulbright, U.S. Department of State, Amazon, and more.
OWN is accredited to offer school credit based on an external audit from Cognia, an internationally-recognized accrediting agency.
OWN alums help lead the organization, serving on our staff and board of directors.
100% of our teachers and program leaders speak more than one language fluently. Most are international people, with lived experience of being a global citizen.