News & Events
That Eureka Moment- Finding the Perfect Family for YFU teens
Posted on 08.11.2010
That Eureka Moment- Finding the Perfect Family for YFU teens
Earlier this year, we added a family to the wish list that was interested in hosting a hearing impaired student. The host mother Kristi Brashier works with hearing impaired children and 
thought her skills might come in handy. Her family didn’t care if it was a boy or a girl or from what country the student came – they just wanted to help someone have a great experience in our country. Melanie Moseley, the volunteer that recruited the family, let me know that the Brashier’s daughter has severe type 1 diabetes. The family even has a service dog that is trained to alert Kristi when her daughter’s blood sugar is off.
Once student profiles were released, I noticed a student who has type 1 diabetes, and that’s when I had that eureka moment! I asked the Brashiers if they would consider hosting this student instead of a hearing impaired student as it appeared that the condition was severe and she might need special care. Well, it took them practically no time to decide that this was the right student for them! The whole family (including their service dog) was at the airport to greet their new German daughter last week. She has immediately fit in with the family and is sure to have a memorable year with this fun and caring group!
I truly believe that there is a perfect family out there for every student. Such families might not know it yet, but you have the power to enrich their lives by inviting them to host. Go ahead- click here to view students still in need of being matched up with their perfect host family.
Cathy White
YFU Field Director
