Host families needed for “Up with People”

Host families are needed for 80 Up with People international students who will be arriving in Sahuarita/Green Valley area Monday, Sept. 22.

Up with People students from around the world will be performing the Up with People Show on Saturday, Sept. 27, 7:30 p.m. at the Sahuarita District Auditorium with all proceeds benefiting Carondelet Foundation.

Sponsoring the internationally acclaimed production is Jim Click Automotive Team, Rancho Sahuarita, and Carondelet Health Network.

Host families can volunteer to take one or more students into their homes for the week-long stay. Families will be asked to provide Up with People students with sleeping accommodations; limited local transportation in the mornings and evenings; and breakfast, a few dinners and lunches.

As a thank you, each host family will receive two complimentary tickets to the “Up with People” show.

“When you become a host family for an Up with People student, you bring the world into your home,” said Derek Flockhart, host family dad for the last three years to seven “Up with People” students. “These students bring their life and enthusiasm, culture and stories into our home. The requirements are minimal for hosting, but the rewards are incredible.”

“Staying with host families can be the single most important part of the students’ semester in ‘Up with People,’” said Renee Rogers, “Up with People” advance team member. “The host family program is an important cornerstone of the ‘Up with People’ student program.”

For more information about hosting an Up with People student, buying tickets for the “Up with People” show to benefit Carondelet Foundation, please call Rogers at 344-7021.

“Up with People” provides young adults an international and intercultural experience that teaches servant leadership and uses the performing arts to deliver messages of hope and goodwill throughout the world.

“Up with People” exists today to spark people to action in meeting the needs of their communities, countries and the world while building bridges of understanding as a foundation for world peace.

Founded in 1965, it has provided experiences for more than 20,000 young people from more than 90 countries.

More information about “Up with People” is available on the internet at www.upwithpeople.org.

Sarah Smith is the North America Field Marketing and Operations Manager for “Up with People.”