Want to share your home with an exchange student?

The Center for Cultural Interchange is in need of host families for the 2011-12 school year.

The non-profit each year provides more than 1,000 exchange students from around the world the chance to study in American schools.

"Host families make all of the difference," said Allison Graham, Outreach and Training manager, in a release. "They influence a young adult's life; changing world views and making dreams come true."

Volunteer host families come from varied economic, religious and racial backgrounds and include working parents, empty nesters, singles and single parents. They are to provide:

• Open communication, encouragement, patience and advice

• A separate bed, which can be in a shared room with a host sibling of similar age and same gender and a quiet place to study

• Three daily meals

• Local transportation (students are not permitted to drive while in the program)

• Treatment as a member of the family, which may include household rules, responsibilities and privileges

While host families are not compensated, the Internal Revenue Service has authorized families to claim a $50 per month charitable contribution deduction on their itemized tax returns.

Students have their own accident and health insurance and bring their own spending money. Students are encouraged to participate in school-sponsored activities, community service and environmental programs. CCI provides regular communication and support to both host families and students. Host family applications are being accepted through Aug. 15.

For more information, visit http://www.cci-exchange.com/usprograms/host.aspx, email ayp@cci-exhange.com.