Meet-Up & Members Blog

This documentary tells the complex story of the Creole Pig, once the cornerstone of rural Haitian life. Its eradication triggered far-reaching economic, political and social upheaval. Present for a post-showing Q&A will be the documentarian, Dudley Alexis, who will also discuss a new documentary project for which he is seeking funding. Additionally, the event will feature Haitian cuisine & cocktails. RSVP to epowers166@aol.com or send text to 954-290-7593. Ellen will provide her address when you respond. Act quickly, as space is limited.

I hope this message finds you well! I’m reaching out from American Councils for Interntional Education, which facilitates international student exchange programs. We are currently seeking host families for students arriving for the upcoming academic year. We have Returned Peace Corps Volunteers hosting and it was suggested we share this opportunity with your group!

Given your focus on advancing the cause of volunteerism for the betterment of the world and the community and providing an opportunity for volunteerism in South Florida and the world, I wanted to see if we might share this opportunity with your members. We have available students from around the world who may be of particular interest!

Would it be possible to share a brief message with your members about hosting? See below for the message that would be shared:

American Councils is excited to announce hosting opportunities for international high school exchange students in communities across the U.S.! We are seeking welcoming host families for students from countries such as Bangladesh, Pakistan, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, Türkiye, and more!

These exceptional students have been awarded prestigious, merit-based scholarships. They are proficient in English, academically motivated, and eager to experience American culture while sharing their own with your community.  

By hosting, families have the unique opportunity to:  

  Welcome a student into their home and community.  

  Support a student as they attend an American high school and participate in extracurricular activities.  

  Share American traditions like school dances, Halloween, and Thanksgiving.  

Hosting an exchange student is a rewarding way to foster cultural understanding and global connections. To view available student profiles, visit: https://inbound.americancouncils.org/student-profile 

Learn more about the hosting experience at https://inbound.americancouncils.org/why-host or reach out at inbound@americancouncils.org for more information.

Thank you so much for your consideration and I look forward to connecting with you!

Kelly Horst for

The International Student Support Team

American Councils for International Education

1828 L Street N.W., Suite 1200

Washington, D.C. 20036

T 202-833-7522

F 202-833-7523

http://inbound.americancouncils.org

Vanessa is a Peace Corps volunteer working in Madagascar. The project she is currently focusing on involves a School for Deaf children.  She's trying to get some children sponsored..... and as well..... trying to improve the facilities at the school where these students study.

Drop her a line...........  I'm sure she'd enjoy hearing from you

Happy Easter to you too, Dave! I hope you've been well down in sunny Florida!

All is well here, beyond the looming DOGE cuts. My project with SEMAFI is moving along really well (we've hit 30% funds raised!) and our sponsorship program is coming to life, with our first sponsored deaf student starting school a week from today! Photos included of the work on the rain catchment system this far and our new student, Samia.

Today, I'm with my first host family near the PC training center. They run a lunch counter every year at the Easter festival, and we've been hard at work prepping since yesterday. 

Cheers!

Vanessa................ van.paolella@gmail.com

 

RPCV, Taylor Majher, will be running the Boston Marathon through a charity, Franklin Cummings Tech which is a technical and community college in Boston. 

In order to secure her spot, Taylor has to raise $10,000 which will be used to support emergency and wrap around services for students. These funds help students overcome challenges they face outside of the classroom such as affording food or transportation or even having professional clothing for interviews. 

Please click here to donate and thank you in advance!

There has been discussion by the Board of volunteering opportunities in our area.  Alan Seigel and Larry Geiter volunteer at the Feeding South Florida warehouse in Pembroke Park on most Thursdays and RPCVSF has a team that volunteers as a group on the third Thursday of each month.  Please contact Larry Geiter to join in with the Saturday team.  

Some have asked for information on opportunities at the food pantries/kitchens supported by FSF.  A link to a list of the pantries/kitchens is at Locate an Agency - Feeding South Florida®  

Other opportunities related to food available through FSF include:

1. Volunteer to help prep, cook, and pack meals in our Community Kitchen at Feeding Palm Beach County.   in the Boynton Beach Community Kitchen Mon.- Fri. 8:30-11:30 and/or 12:30-3:30 and Saturday 8:30-11:30
2. Volunteer to assist site coordinator at specific location in distributing meal boxes to older adults.  Mon-Wed at various sites 10:00-1:00
3. City of Miami Beach food distribution, Thursdays from 8:00 – 11:30 am at 4000 Chase Ave, Miami Beach 33140

More information and sign-up menus is available at Feeding South Florida - Events