Host families needed for Japanese youth

Mahoning, Columbiana and Trumbull County families will have the opportunity to welcome a young person from Japan into their home for one month this year, as part of an international exchange program being offered by the County OSU Extension, 4-H.

Last year, six youth and one chaperone were hosted in Mahoning and Trumbull counties.

Statewide, host families are needed for 100 Japanese youngsters (aged 12-18) and their adult chaperones, who will visit Ohio from July 26 through Aug. 21.

Host families provide the exchangees with room and board and a chance to experience daily life in America. Families are urged not to alter their daily routines or lifestyles during their visitor’s stay.

Exchangees provide their own spending money and the sponsoring organization furnishes comprehensive medical insurance.

The young Japanese visitors belong to the Labo Foundation, an organization which promotes the study of English culture and language in Japan. The other youth belong to organizations similar to 4-H in their country. Ohio 4-H has been conducting international exchange programs with these groups since 1949.

All types of families are welcome to apply to become hosts, including urban, rural, single-parent, childless and non-4-H families. The only requirement is that for the Japanese month-long exchange, hosts must have a family member of the same gender and approximate age of the exchangee, three meals a day and a separate bed for the visitor.

Those interested should contact Laura DePizzo (Trumbull County) at 330-637-7384, Gretchen Kalinay at 330-799-8407 or Gary Reel at 330-533-7712 (Mahoning and Columbiana County) for an application form and more information about this and other 4-H international exchange programs.