This Thanksgiving, I’m looking forward to reflecting on the important things (and especially people) in my life. I’ll also be feeling a great sense of gratitude to all of the volunteers, staff, host families, donors, students, schools, and community members who’ve made it possible for AFS-USA to weather the storm of a global pandemic. Not only am I grateful for what you’ve helped us achieve but I am also very proud of how resilient we are as an organization. I hope you feel the same.

Before the holiday arrives, I wanted to let you know that we’ll be operating on a very limited basis during the Thanksgiving week. I hope I can rely on your patience and, in particular, that you won’t mind holding off on support issues until the week after Thanksgiving. As always, for truly urgent situations, the duty officer system will be in place for the duration of the holiday week.

For now, I wish you and your family a safe and joyous Thanksgiving.