News you can use.
As in previous years, Representative Hank Johnson (D-GA-4) and Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) are circulating bipartisan sign-on letters in support of FY2026 funding for educational and cultural exchange programs.
In this short video message, I share a few thoughts about our ongoing efforts to recruit host families and send students abroad. I’ll also provide insight on the White House’s proposed budget and what it means for programs like ours.
During this week-long celebration, we’re encouraging volunteers, exchange students, host families, and staff to show teachers how much we value their presence in our AFS-USA family.
Local community involvement is always the best way to keep AFS and your team visible. You can build trust and brand awareness by being present in your community at tabling events and more.
Rep. Chellie Pingree is leading a Dear Colleague letter to Secretary Rubio about the grants freeze. You can see the text of the letter here. We ask that you please reach out to your Members of Congress to ask them to co-sign the letter.
We need immediate action from Congress to demand the Department of State release these critical funds. We urge you to contact your Senators and Representatives and share the real impact of this funding freeze—on students, host families, and communities across the U.S.
We’re excited to share a new monthly resources calendar designed to support volunteers in host family recruitment efforts! You can now stay up-to-date with the tools and materials available each month.
If you are interested in learning about AFS students arriving in the fall and enjoy writing or have marketing experience, we’d love your help writing short bios for incoming students.
If you’re wondering what you can do to help during this very challenging time, let me tell you in a very straightforward way – we need you to welcome a student into your home for a few weeks this fall to ensure they can participate on the program and start school.
Thank you for all of your work as an AFS-USA volunteer. Please take a moment to watch this short video.