Iowa Resource for International Services (IRIS), a non-profit organization founded by former Lt Governor Robert Anderson, is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.
Nov. 23, 2013, IRIS will hold an anniversary celebration event at the Science Center of Iowa in Des Moines to recognize hundreds of Iowa volunteer host families.
Through IRIS, families from all over Iowa sign up to host students from countries like Lebanon, Turkey and Nigeria. Students live with host families, go to school, engage in the community, volunteer, build leadership skills and educate Iowans about their country and culture.
"We couldn't possibly do these types of cultural exchanges without the willingness of Iowa host families. Over the 20 years, our international guests have not only been welcomed into homes, but have also become part of Iowa families during the experience," says Del Christensen, Executive Director of IRIS.
Ankeny currently is host-city to Afzaur, a student from India who attends Ankeny High School and lives with host family, Oweni Morring and Steven Henry.
IRIS is based in Ames, Iowa. It has conducted many short-term and long-term exchange programs involving more than 500 Iowa families in the past two decades. These host families have hosted more than 280 students from 41 countries.
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