The following AFS-USA Volunteers have gone above and beyond the call of duty these last few weeks – thank you for all you do!
Debby Matheny, Silver & Gold Area Team
Let’s start with a few basics; How did you first learn about AFS, and what prompted you to get involved?
I originally got involved with hosting foreign exchanges students about 9 years ago because I wanted to help high school students from 3rd world countries who needed some sort of opportunity to receive a good education. When I first started hosting students, I was with a different organization. One of the people I worked with moved to AFS, and they were struggling with one of their student placements. So the student started coming to stay with us for weekends and joining us on family trips. Eventually, AFS asked if he could move in with us and we were happy to have him join our family – an excellent young man. I was very impressed with the AFS volunteers I worked with during this transition and decided this organization was much more focused on the students’ welfare and success than the other organizations I had been working with, so I switched to AFS the next year.
What keeps you coming back to volunteer each year?
I’ve had the opportunity to host 14 students from various countries around the world and am inspired by the growth I see in each of them during their year here. I keep in contact with my students and know that this opportunity has consistently had a tremendous impact on each of their lives – both in personal growth and career advantages. Most of my students were ‘leftovers’- those who were not selected by families for whatever reason – I continue to host students for what I see is a patriotic duty. I want them to have the opportunity to see our country and our people as we are, not as how we are portrayed by Hollywood and the toxic media. I see this transformation every year as well – the students see the same humanity in us as they see in those at home. They see the freedoms we have, the diversity of our culture, the good and the not so good. They learn to understand us and take that understanding back home to share with their families, friends and everyone they interact with as they continue to grow.
Recently you have done something extra special to help AFS students, host families, fellow volunteers and staff. Can you give us some of the details behind these actions?
I don’t think what I did was all that special or difficult. My team was in the middle of planning the PRO/PDO when we were informed that in person meetings would not be allowed. Some time after that I received an email that these sessions would be provided virtually by AFS and we could sign up our students for them. Since we only had a few days of notice before the first session, I signed up each student immediately, sent emails to each family and then followed up with a phone call to each to make sure they understood the importance of attending. All but one of our core students attended, and we signed her up for the next session. This was significantly less work than planning and hosting the PRO/PDO.
Miranda Due, Greater Los Angeles Area Team
Let’s start with a few basics; How did you first learn about AFS, and what prompted you to get involved?
I was a NSLI-Y alum and I started volunteering with AFS to conduct NSLI-Y interviews.
What keeps you coming back to volunteer each year?
I love helping out with the NSLI-Y interviews and helping out kids with their study abroad endeavors. I really enjoyed studying abroad and so many people were involved in helping make it possible for me, so I want to give back and help others.
What’s one thing that AFS volunteers and staff don’t know about you?
I work in video games! I am a producer at Treyarch and I love playing and talking about games.
Recently you have done something extra special to help AFS students, host families, fellow volunteers and staff. Can you give us some of the details behind these actions?
I have been doing some airport trips. I’ve picked up and chaperoned students overnight by the airport, and helped them get to the next leg of their trips home. It’s been a cool opportunity to meet some amazing students from around the world and hopefully help them feel safe and comfortable during a stressful journey.
Trudy Lupkes, Columbia Pacific Area Team
Let’s start with a few basics; How did you first learn about AFS, and what prompted you to get involved?
I learned about AFS when my daughter became friends with an exchange student at The Dalles High School in 2013. She promptly announced she wanted to study abroad. She went to Istanbul Turkey in 2014 on a gap year program. The local chapter chair wanted to retire and approached me about taking over. My first event was a Post Arrival Orientation. I met Ian and Isil from New York as well as many local volunteers. I have always enjoyed volunteering at my children’s schools and activities. I also love travel and adventure. In AFS I felt I had found an organization that ticked all the boxes for me.
What keeps you coming back to volunteer each year?
I enjoy my main role of Team Treasurer. I work in accounting as a profession and am happy to help keep the team organized. I also enjoy interacting with the students.
What’s one thing that AFS volunteers and staff don’t know about you?
I am addicted to the game Candy Crush!
Recently you have done something extra special to help AFS students, host families, fellow volunteers and staff. Can you give us some of the details behind these actions?
I was approached by the team leadership to be the Team Travel Coordinator. By nature I am organized, friendly, optimistic and a problem solver. It was a privilege for me to be asked to be involved in the massive effort to communicate travel information to the students.
Do you know any volunteers, host families, or returnees who have gone above the call of duty lately?
Let us know by emailing their name and story to marketing@afsusa.org!