Meeting the needs of J-1 students
cultural events
When students arrive, they are thrust into a brand new culture with new expectations. Through the Hello Summer J-1 Facebook group and website, the students find out about the first type of events we provide: J-1 welcome dinners. We partner with two local chambers of commerce and members of 24 evangelical churches to provide meals where they can meet other students. Volunteers pick up and drop of the students from specific locations. Medical personnel inform students about Cape Cod specific health concerns. A police officer is there to let students know the police are willing to help them. A Cape Cod specific bicycle safety video is also shown. Each table has an American table captain that is there to answer any questions the students may have. At all dinners, the students receive a backpack with bicycle lights, reflector vests, information about their area of Cape Cod, other donated items, a New Testament, a Jesus film QR code card, and a world changer card. The gospel is shared at every event.
Other events can include BBQ and beach bonfire, trips to Boston or the Wrentham Outlet Mall, kayaking, boating, fishing, BBQ and cornhole, soccer, selfie scavenger hunt and BBQ, Christmas in July, Thanksgiving in August, J-1 coffee house, pizza parties, and concerts.
Due to COVID, the past two years have been a challenge in creating events while trying to keep everyone safe. For the summer of 2022, we are planning smaller, outdoor events.
housing
Finding affordable housing is the biggest need of the J-1 students. On the Facebook group Hello Summer J-1, the students are allowed to post their need for housing. Prospective landlords and host families can also post their availability. We also teach the students how to tell if an ad on another site or Facebook group is a scam.
Road Safety
Bicycles are the main mode of transportation for J-1 students. We are very thankful for our grant writer that finds the money needed to purchase reflective backpacks and bicycle lights. Also included in these backpacks are snacks, water bottles, Cape Cod items, hand sanitizer, small tire gauges, and either a New Testament or a Gospel of John. In 2021, 963 backpacks were delivered to businesses that hire J-1 students on Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard. in 2022, we are looking to distribute 3,000 backpacks and also include Nantucket in the distribution.
follow-up
The table captains, drivers, and other volunteers followup with the students throughout the summer. They may invite students to Cape Cod Baseball League games, shopping excursions, ice cream, or perhaps home for dinner with their family. Through social media and/or e-mail the volunteers also follow up with the students once they go back to their own countries. The Facebook group “J1 Pastor” helps to disciple students who come to Christ and helps to answer any questions students may have about God.