Exchange program seeks host families

The Center for Cultural Interchange, a nonprofit student exchange organization, seeks volunteer families to host exchange students for the 2011-12 school year.

Each year, CCI provides more than 1,000 exchange students from some 50 countries the opportunity to study in local public high schools for a five-month semester or a 10-month academic high school year.

Volunteer host families come from varied economic, religious and racial backgrounds and include working parents, empty nesters, singles and single parents. They provide:

• Open communication, encouragement, patience and sound advice.

• A separate bed, which can be in a shared room with a host sibling of similar age and same gender, and a quiet place to study.

• Three daily meals.

• Local transportation (students are not permitted to drive while in the program).

• Treatment as a member of the family, which may include household rules, responsibilities and privileges.

While host families are not compensated, the Internal Revenue Service has authorized families to claim a $50 per month charitable contribution deduction on their itemized tax returns.

Students have their own accident and health insurance and bring their own spending money. Students are encouraged to participate in school-sponsored activities, community service and environmental programs. CCI provides regular communication and support to host families and students. Host family applications are being accepted through Aug. 15.

Visit www.cci-exchange.com/usprograms/host.aspx, email ayp@cci-exhange.com or call 800-634-4771.