One (perhaps “the”) key role in making the Project successful is that of the Host Families. This critical and important factor means that we need to complete selection and commitment of well matched Host Families as soon as possible.

The Northern Irish teens will all be within a few months of 15+/- 6 months years of age, when they leave to come to Arlington, and none will be more than just over 16, when the summer ends. They will have completed the equivalent of our 9th grade. Typically, teens from Northern Ireland are mature in terms of responsibility. They do not have as much choice about their lives as American teens.

Although the same general age and grade level for the American host are best, any teen, who is at least 14 and will have completed 8th grade by June, will be considered as hosts. The host teens and their families must be ready to make a commitment to the Project from late June through late July, because the bridge-building effort will focus on the combined group for that month.  The selection process requires a visit with both the prospective teens and parent(s). We will also need Host Families for the two Adult Counselors from Belfast. Host Families for the Counselors do not need to have a teen at home.

If you are interested in being a Host Family, we need to hear from you promptly.   In addition to the sixteen Host-teen Families in each category (Catholic boy and girl and Protestant boy and girl), we would like to have one alternate host teen in each category.
 

• If you have a teen-ager, 14-16 (you cannot turn 17 before August 1st) years old, you may qualify as a Hosting Family.

• There are sixteen slots available for Host teens for the 2008 Project which will run from the end of June to the end of July.  (Exact dates are determined by Northern Ireland in March-April)

Click here to see the 2007 Calendar

Host Families Required:

Even if you don’t qualify to be a Host Family, you can be a part of the Project by contributing funds, services, volunteer work and other resources to help receive and care for these youth in our area next summer.