The Participant Support Department has started using mass text messaging to communicate with volunteers, host families, and participants during emergencies.

We recognized a need for this tool in the course of our work on several different types of emergency situations, from natural disasters and extreme weather to violent attacks. We have primarily been using phone calls and e-mails to communicate with the AFS communities in the affected areas when these situations arise. We have found that individuals are not always able to make phone calls or send e-mails due to shortage of time or loss of electricity, which delayed the flow of communication and limited our ability to provide timely support and report to our AFS partners and the Department of State.

Mass text messaging has several benefits, for staff as well as the volunteers, host families and participants who receive these text messages. We hope this initiative will open lines of communication between Support staff and those who require assistance, at the times when that is most needed.

Support staff successfully used this tool for the first time on November 30, 2018 in response to the earthquake in Alaska.

We do not expect to need to use this tool very frequently, so please don’t be alarmed that AFS will be texting you all the time! Participant Support management will determine which scenarios warrant mass text messaging, and who to include in those communications, on a case by case basis, depending on the need.

Here are some examples of events where we may decide to use the mass text messaging:

• Hurricanes, flooding, wildfires and other natural events where communities may be evacuating
• School shootings and other violent attacks in places where participants may be present

Here are some examples of events where we would NOT use mass text messaging:

• One of the events described above, but in a region where there is no AFS presence
• An event involving only one participant
• Non-emergency situations

While we do our best to communicate proactively in emergency situations which impact multiple participants, we will still depend on you to report individual participant emergencies during non-business hours by calling the Duty Officer at 212-299-9000, extension 9 or 1-800-237-4636, extension 9.

We would like to emphasize that this is an additional reason why updating Global Link with the latest contact information for participants and host families is crucial.

As with any new tool/initiative AFS appreciates your feedback. Please don’t hesitate to contact your Participant Support Specialist if you have any questions.

Be safe and well!

The AFS-USA Participant Support Department