UCM Friendship Families Program Seeks Community Participants

By Jeff Murphy, August 7, 2018

 

 

WARRENSBURG, MO – The Friendship Families program, part of Campus Community Health at the University of Central Missouri, is seeking local families and individuals to participate in the program that provides local connections for international students at UCM.

The Friendship Families program offers international students a relationship with a local family that eases the challenges of living so far from home. Students participating in the program learn about American and Midwestern culture, connect socially with the community in which they are living, and become part of a family relationship that often extends beyond their years of study at UCM.

“We’re looking for at least 30 families to match with students this fall,” said Suzy Latare, program coordinator. “We’ve found that the opportunity to spend time with a family often helps students with things like language proficiency and understanding the differences between their home cultures and American culture. Friendship families also benefit from the relationships, learning about different cultures and sharing that knowledge with several generations of their families.”

After submitting an application, community members interested in becoming part of the Friendship Families program are matched with a student and will attend a Meet and Greet event in late August, where families and students will meet, hear an overview of the program and complete necessary paperwork. Families and students are encouraged to meet at least once per month, but may meet more often, depending on schedules and opportunity. Families are encouraged to share holidays and family events, and students are encouraged the share their cultures and join their families for special occasions.

The deadline to apply to participate in the program is Aug. 19. Families may apply online and obtain more information contacting Latare at 660-543-8947 or latare@ucmo.edu.