AFS Community Changemaker Award Presented to UMC Geneva

AFS-USA 75th Anniversary Community Changemaker Award Winner!

Thirteen winners from across the country have been distinguished by AFS-USA as the first winners of the Community Changemaker Awards.

In Illinois, the AFS Greater Illinois Team is thrilled to present this award to The United Methodist Church of Geneva, for a series of worthwhile actions over many years, such as allowing AFS-USA to use space for orientations, make announcements about hosting and inviting AFS-USA international students to speak to confirmation classes about their religions.

Pastor Rob Hamilton accepted the award presented by AFS volunteers, Robbin Lang and Leslie Surta, saying "Partnering with AFS has been a no-brainer for our church. We find a mandate in Scripture to extend hospitality and welcome to sojourners. We've been delighted to not only have found a great partner in AFS in extending welcome but have found the invitation reciprocated many times over. Meeting students and host families year after year empowers us to live out our mission as a church to illuminate our community with God’s grace as we lovingly accept, listen to, and serve all in the Spirit of Jesus."

The Community Changemaker Awards were created by AFS-USA as part of the organization’s 75th Anniversary to recognize the people, groups, organizations, and companies that support the work of the AFS-USA volunteer teams and its mission of developing active global citizens.

“The theme of our 75th Anniversary is Your Story is Our Story: 75 Years of Creating Global Citizens,” said Tara Hofmann, President and CEO of AFS-USA. Share an AFS story with us here Your Story is Our Story - AFS-USA (afsusa.org)

As AFS-USA recognizes that now more than ever, the importance of developing global citizens continues to be imperative to furthering global understanding.

Hosting Exchange Students

Our local team of AFS volunteers is currently seeking host families for students arriving in August and September. These young people represent more than 80 countries, including Kenya, Thailand, Turkey, Egypt, Denmark, Italy, Germany, and more. All types of individuals and families are encouraged to host, including those from multi-national backgrounds and those with and without children. For more information on AFS-USA, to welcome or host an exchange student in your community, or to volunteer with AFS-USA, visit www.afsusa.org.