Dear Friends,

While watching the fireworks over our July 4th celebration, I started to think about what makes our wonderful country so special.  Our independence allows us to be so open and accepting of other people and other nations.  We feel so bad for people in lands in which freedom is only a word. I came to realize that this is what makes our program and our families so special.


No other country in the world accepts so many high school students on a volunteer basis.  Our families who host are so special.  They personify our freedom and independence.  They are our front line in showing these high school students the wonder and beauty of our culture and national spirit.  Our families give willingly of their time, love and family.  They share their love of family, community and country.  They give, not only of room and board, but of those many intangibles that are even more important.  They allow our students to return home with a view of the United States that can not be seen from the outside.  Our students return home and share this feeling with their fellow teens, families and friends.  Our country is not what is read about in the papers or on the internet; it is that wonderful spirit of caring and loving that our host families exemplify.

So even though it is a few days past July 4th,  I want to thank our host families for allowing this wonderful experience to be so special and for making our country come alive once again in the hearts and minds of the world.

Sincerely,
Wayne Brewer, Founder
Student Management Group