Amicus Community Update March 19, 2020
(sent to Amicus Hosts, Students, Sending Families, Mentors and Overseas Reps.)
Dear wonderful Amicus community:
I'm in awe of the beautiful response we've seen from our students, hosts and sending families. You embrace our high values of adaptability and flexibility! We know we are all swimming in an ocean of uncertainty and it's unsettling on many levels. We are so thankful that each student is with a loving host and each has become part of their family. As a parent myself, I truly understand the deep desire to pull in close those we love.
We are doing all we can to closely monitor the impact and navigate the implications of the Covid-19 virus. We are receiving our guidance from the U.S. Department of State Education Cultural Affairs, our leadership at Young Life and a great deal of prayer.
Here is what we know as of March 19, 2020 midday.
- Amicus Action Plan- Our plan has been and remains to be in contact with each Amicus host family keeping apprised of how each host, student and sending family are feeling about their current status of whether to remain with their host or depart to go home. We are also staying connected to our Overseas Reps best we can and will respond to any communication from sending families. We continue to rely on the Department of State for our most official guidance; we also seek guidance and judgement from others within Young Life here in the U.S. and in our European countries.
- Resources- We have provided resource links we have been given so you can monitor them directly. The US State Department Bureau of Consulate Affairs was just given to us today. We have reviewed it and suggest each family monitor it for themselves.
- Current Status- We have had one student return to Belgium and two German students have decided to depart, but have not left as of today. We continue to support whatever decision each sending family wants to make for their own family's needs and desires. Please do keep us updated and let us know how we can help and support you.
- Other Exchange Programs - There are 90+ other J-1 exchange programs in the US. Amicus is different in two distinct ways. We are very small in comparison to organizations like AFS and EF, and we are part of the large international 78-year-old organization of Young Life. We know there is a great deal of information going around on social media and students are probably getting bits and pieces of information from other exchange students and programs. We know other exchange programs are enacting various action plans.
- Resource Links Below- We have provided resource links we have been given so you can monitor them directly. The US State Department Bureau of Consulate Affairs was just given to us today. We have reviewed it and suggest each family monitor it for themselves.
- Schools -All Amicus students are out of school. Each school is handling how they are continuing their academic programs and we expect our students to follow those guidelines as they become available.
- Young Life Camp - Young Life has not made any new determination about our camp for June, but our aim will be to do whatever we can to keep that plan in place if the governing bodies allow us. It is still 3 months out. As soon as a plan is formulated, we will communicate it but I don't expect any new information for a couple more weeks. Our greatest hope and prayer is our students can gather together to complete their year together.
- Student Health Insurance - GeoBlue student health insurance covers both Covid-19 testing and treatment. The insurance is active until June 30th, but can be extended if needed. Their statement on the virus is linked here and two GeoBlue documents for resource support are linked below.
- Student J-1 Visa - Student visas expire June 30 and there is a 30-day grace period. We believe that, if necessary, extensions could be obtained.
