[Nfbv-announce] FW: Host family needed for BVI student coming from Ghana

[Jeffords, Nicole (DBVI)]

This sounds like an awesome opportunity.  Please pass along to any families you feel might have some interest.

Thanks!
Nikki

Nikki Jeffords 
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor 
Regional Transition Coordinator 
Virginia Dept. f/t Blind & Vision Impaired 
Interstate Corporate Center, Bldg. #18 
6325 N. Center Drive, Ste. 131 
Norfolk, VA  23502 
Direct :(757) 455-0856 
Main:  (757) 466-4162
Fax:  (757) 455-0142




-----Original Message-----
From: Jennifer Scovill [mailto:jscovill at yfu.org] 
Sent: Monday, April 23, 2012 12:02 PM
To: Jeffords, Nicole (DBVI)
Subject: Host family needed for BVI student coming from Ghana

Hi Nikki - I got your name from a good friend, Shannon Cole.  I am a volunteer and placement specialist for Youth For Understanding - a non-profit organization that brings over international high school students to study in the U.S. for a year.  One component of the program includes bringing scholarship winners over from primarily Muslim countries (students may or may not be practicing Muslims).  Some students may also have a disability.  All students have a proficiency in English.  And they all need a host family to provide a home for the year.

This year we have a young man coming from Ghana.  Isaac, blind since birth, is a scholarship winner and has attended an academic boys boarding school in his home country.  We are seeking a host family for him and wanted to reach out to the visually impaired community in the hopes of finding a family who might have experience and a comfort level in having a student who is blind in their home.  The schools in our area are traditionally enthusiastic about having the international exchange students with them for the year.  Isaac will be arriving this summer (August) and will stay for the 2012-13 school year.  The primary responsibility of a host family is to provide a caring home, three meals a day, and a bed.  Students are responsible for all extra expenses.

I am attaching a basic profile of Isaac and his letter to his future host family. The scanned copy is not easy to see but it is just a small glimpse of this impressive young man. His full application, pictures, etc. would be available to a family once they have expressed an interest in hosting.  There is a host family application which includes a background check, but is easy to complete online. 

My family has hosted a young man from Norway this year for the first time.  It has been an amazing experience for all of us.  If I can provide any more information about the program, please let me know.  Here is a link too that can provide more details on our program:  http://yfuusa.org/international-students/youth-exchange-study-yes.php


Thank you in advance for any help you can provide.  I appreciate your time!

Sincerely,

Jennifer Scovill
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