Most of my friends know that my family is hosting a Foreign Exchange student this year and we are having a wonderful time with her. If you have ever entertained the thought of hosting a student please read this letter that I received in my e-mail today; This weekend many of you will likely receive at least one more request to host, ask for host family suggestions or even to consider taking a second student as a welcome family. For 62 years YFU has met its commitment to every student. This year we may fall short. In the past week, Margie Ott, US Programs Director, and I have been in frequent contact with our counterparts at AFS. Like YFU, they have a high standard of family and student support. This year, our two programs have faced a tremendous struggle with student and family matches. AFS USA has shared with us that they believe there is a significant risk that they will cancel students. Recognizing the tough placement cycle and expressing a desire to work in partnership on behalf of the thousands of young people we represent, together we reached out to the US Department of State (DOS). We informed our colleagues at the DOS about the current placement cycle challenges. Wednesday night, we submitted a formal request from both organizations, asking for an extension through Friday, September 13 to allow us both to keep our commitment to all accepted students. We were informed on Friday that DOS will give us an answer on Tuesday. Therefore, at this time, the deadline remains September 3. This means that by midnight on September 3rd YFU must submit to the State Department a list of all students who have been matched with a family. Students who do not have a match at that time are no longer eligible to come to the USA for the fall semester. We do not believe an extension will be granted. The State Department, while sympathetic and wanting to work on the long-term systems issues we are facing, did not seem to indicate that they believe canceling students is reason enough to offer an industry-wide extension. We asked because we believed it important to do everything within our power to create yet one more solution to try to place all YFU students and to demonstrate to our partners our commitment to place every student. We know that an extension would create strong feelings of mixed emotions. Our staff and volunteers have worked so hard to find families like you. An extension would grant us time to find great homes and schools for all our students. We want for YFU the relief that comes with catching our breath post placement, but we believe that we need to be in lockstep with our colleagues at AFS and demonstrate that we are making every effort, including asking for an extension. It just feels like the right thing to do to ensure every student is matched. We just wanted to be transparent with you about these conversations. We do not believe the extension will come. So how can you help, as our devoted families? We still have time to make a difference one student at a time. If you know of any families who might give of their hearts the way you have, please contact YFU District staff at 1.800.TEENAGE or call your Field Director or local volunteer if you have that direct dial number available. In light of the few short days available to us we are reaching out to you again because our prior experience has shown that families within the YFU community are our best source of support to meet our obligation to every student. Our staff and volunteers have put aside their embarrassment of feeling like a bother to you on behalf of the kids when they email and call just one more time. The entire YFU family appreciates all you do for your exchange sons and daughters, and we thank you in advance for any help you can provide. Best regards, Michael Michael Hill President and CEO Youth For Understanding USA Telephone: 240.235.2100 Toll Free: 800.424.3691 Fax: 240.235.2188 Website: yfu-usa.org
Posted on: Sun, 01 Sep 2013 01:35:07 +0000