Sister City Organizers in Need of More Host Families

Organizers of the upcoming sister city visit are looking for more host families to step in for those families whose schedules couldn’t accommodate the last-minute changes brought on by visa difficulties.

The Ukraine/Minnesota Civic Leadership Engagement Program for Youth brings young civic leaders together to learn from one another. Boryspil students learn about community engagement in Minnesota, and the American students learn about “challenges faced in an emerging democracy,” according to a description of the program.

The students will attend local schools, participate in civic leadership development activities and share their perspectives, hopes and challenges with the Minnesota youth.

Families must willing to provide a bed and daily meals and share their lives with the students. Host families will preferably have a student of a similar age and/or live in the Hopkins school district, but other arrangements can be made.

For families who live in the Hopkins school district, the students may use district transportation to get to school. Those who don’t will have to take the student to school.

All the students speak English. They have health insurance and their own spending money. The adult chaperones will serve as the students’ legal guardians and have complete legal responsibility.

Those who are interested in hosting one of the visitors should contact Natalia Krasnobayeva at nataliakrasnobayeva@gmail.com or Irina Fursman at irinafursman@gmail.com or 763.232.2338. Please include your name, contact information and how many students (one or two) you would like to host.

There will also be opportunities later on for those who want to support the program in other ways, such as by helping with transportation to activities outside of school and providing other logistical support. If you’re interested, contact Krasnobayeva at the above address.

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