The Light - An Alumni Publication Fall 2015 | Page 8
A LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR OF
ALUMNI ENGAGEMENT
Dear Alumni,
Thank you for the warm welcome I have received since becoming the new Director of Alumni
Engagement in August. I am extremely grateful to my predecessor, John Favazzo, and
the many incredible YFU people that have set us on an exciting and evolving path.
I’ve certainly hit the ground running, working on everything from a new venture
for our young alumni, the Campus Ambassador Program, to completing our first
JOIN THE
national Alumni Reunion in Washington, DC in October. The momentum and
CONVERSATION
motivation gained during that phenomenal weekend, along with feedback from
The Light welcomes your
alumni across the country, will shape the plan for the year to come. Expect
announcements around platforms to reconnect, relive, and remember. As
comments and feedback, as well as
a member of the YFU family, I hope you will take a moment to reflect on
submissions for future editions.
the important role that you play and the myriad of ways you contribute to
our success. I look forward to building a thriving community together!
Email [email protected].
Thanks and regards,
Gina Palmisano
Team
When an organization supports more than 2,000
students each year, you hear a lot of stories about
kids. Sometimes it’s a story of struggle; other
times it’s the story of a remarkable deed. And
every so often you hear a story like Vera’s.
I’ll never forget the call from a colleague in Hungary. “I
have a perfect exchange student for you. She has
great grades. She’s
well adjusted. She’s a model
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The Light
YFU
Vera
member of her family and community.” The lead
up was too perfect. “What’s the catch?” I asked.
“Vera,” my colleague says, “happens to be blind.”
Among the many, many things I admire about my
colleagues at YFU is their tenacious belief that any
student that wants to come on an exchange year
deserves a shot. It’s one of the things that sets
YFU apart from other organizations, so I wasn’t