One Teenager, One School, One ASSIST can Change the World

In January, Jorge participated in a 10-year-old school community service program in Costa Rica. Jorge explained the humanitarian mission to his father and urged his father "to do something." Santos de la Torre, an executive for Volcano Corporation (a multinational, medical device company) responded. It was a lucky coincidence that the company was opening up a new manufacturing plant in Costa Rica.

Jorge's father set out to do just that - "something!" After extended conversations with Carlos Falls, the humanitarian organization carrying Señor Falls' name and Volcano agreed on a permanent collaboration that provides aid and support to five schools in the southern part of Costa Rica. What an amazing outcome prompted by one caring and responsible ASSIST Scholar! We join the De la Torre family in their pride in Jorge for the person that he has become and for his belief that one person can make a difference!

Generosity Appreciated

Following the advocacy of an ASSIST Board member, the CAP Foundation made two generous grants to ASSIST this spring. The Foundation earmarked one gift to support the Annual Fund and the second gift to strengthen the endowment - truly a gift that will keep on giving over the years. We encourage other friends of ASSIST who know of foundations that might match the ASSIST mission to notify us and help us to make an approach. 

A Planned Estate Gift - Alice Blake

We regret the recent passing of Alice Blake, a close friend of Ken & Betsy Lindfors, President Emeritus and Vice President Emerita of ASSIST. Alice had made provisions in her estate planning to leave a sizeable endowment gift honoring both ASSIST and her friendship with the Lindfors. Planned gifts similar to Mrs. Blake's contribute mightily to ASSIST's ability to deliver on its mission. Information about planning giving is noted below.

A Gift of Service and Support - Mitchell Bronk 

Kristy Shammas '13, Sidwell Friends School (DC), Palestine, joined the Sidwell Friends Crew Team (a new sport for her). The team came in first place in an area regatta in their second-ever competition. Congratulations to the team and to Kristy for taking advantage of new experiences!

Anders Lundren '94, St. Mark's School (MA), and Maya Milteva '94, Asheville School (SC), Mt. Holyoke College, met 20  years ago during their ASSIST Orientation. Maya was a member of the Bulgarian 'delegation,' and Anders represented Germany. They reported that their years have been "full of professional challenges and ASSIST continues to change their lives in good and growing ways." ASSIST relationships do last a lifetime!

Shungcong Gu '12, Loomis Chaffee School (CT), China. Shungcong reports that he received acceptances from both Yale and Princeton for the Class of 2017. He has a difficult decision ahead of him. He expressed his specific thanks to ASSIST "for offering me such a valuable experience - one which brought me so much inspiration." Our congratulations to Shungcong and to the numerous others who have excelled and have been admitted to a university of their choice.

Friendship Dinner in Düsseldorf - April 19

Twenty three alumni and friends of ASSIST enjoyed a Friendship Dinner at the beautiful Burgturm overlooking the Rhine and the Old City of Düsseldorf. Special guests included the Consul General, Stephen A. Hubler. He underlined the importance of ASSIST in building friendship bridges between Germany and the U.S. Dinner guests each made generous contributions to ASSIST and also participated in a fundraising auction. All enjoyed both the company of others and a wonderful dinner. ASSIST alumnus Navin Olschewski '08, Woodberry Forest School (VA), Germany, a master musician, topped off the evening playing several classical music pieces.

Cambridge/Boston Gathering

In May, ten ASSIST Alumni, joined by Bob Stanley, Meg Moulton, and Matthew Kunkel from ASSIST, enjoyed themselves enormously - catching up with one another and welcoming first-time attendees to the group.

DC Chapter News

Dear Friends,  

Another busy year comes to a close for the Washington Chapter of ASSIST. We are always impressed by the ways our Scholars grow during the year and the dedication and enthusiasm of our schools and families who host them. The ASSIST alumni who find their way back to Washington are a good indicator of the wonderful things that come from the courage and hard work that go into an ASSIST year. You can read the details in our Washington newsletter here.  

Cathy Tinsley, Chapter Chair & ASSIST Board Member

The ASSIST Water Bottle

Lena-Marie Pätzmann '12, Chatham Hall (VA), Germany, and Theda Schulte '12, Ethel Walker School (CT), Germany, when challenged to come up with an idea on how to advertise the ASSIST opportunity at school fairs in Germany, invented the ASSIST water bottle - labeled "Refresh Your Mind!" Their idea was a great success with students and gave Lena-Marie and Theda a chance to share their enthusiasm for ASSIST.

Flying into a Huge Unknown

"It has already been four months since we first came here. If I could, I would stop time right now because it is the only school year in my life that I don't want it to end. Looking back the day we got on the plane, I now realize that I was flying in to a huge unknown. However, I never felt nervous then. Our orientation (all 168 of us from 22 different countries) at Pomfret was the best way to kick off the year I could imagine. Not only did we spend four fun days with wonderful people from all over the world, we also saw Harvard, my dream college. Orientation made us feel welcome in this huge country where we could have felt lost instead of welcomed. Since the very beginning of my ASSIST journey, I have never been able to find a sufficient way to thank ASSIST."

Ideas & Resources

Maya Miteva '94, The Asheville School (NC), Bulgaria

Maya is living and working in Germany. She asked guests to her birthday party to give to ASSIST instead of buying a present.  As a result, ASSIST unwrapped a 500€ donation to our Annual Fund.  Thank you and Happy Birthday, Maya! If you would like to do likewise - please click here. Gifts made directly to ASSIST or to Friends of ASSIST (Germany) are tax deductible.

Idea #2 - Have This Year's ASSIST Scholar Welcome Your Next Scholar

Irina Fala '13, Potomac School (VA), Moldova, sent a note to next year's Potomac School Scholar, Nhu '14, Vietnam.

"It is a wonderful feeling," Irina wrote, "to welcome Nhu to the school community." Irina urges other current ASSIST Scholars to find out who is coming to their schools and to get in touch with them. "It will mean a lot to them, their families, ASSIST, your school and, most importantly, to you!"

Potomac School, Virginia

Idea #3 - Host Family Reflections & Resources

For families interested in becoming a Host Family, a recently published brochure, available here, will be a valuable resource, as will the experiences of previous host families - many of whom have maintained over years a lasting relationship with their ASSIST Scholar. Two families hosting students from the Class of 2013 share their thoughts:

"Our experience was 100% positive. We were very excited to have our ASSIST Scholar come into our home. We learned so much about her country and ours through her eyes. It was surely a sad day when we brought her to the airport for her return home. We have as a result of our relationship with Sandra an open door for anyone from Lithuania who might want to come to the USA for a warm bed, meals, and our company."

 

  

"What one receives has a great deal to do with what one invests. We put a whole lot into the relationship with our host student and got back more than we ever imagined possible."