LAFD families are needed to host teenagers from Berlin, Germany who will be visiting SoCal in July. The visitors are all children of Berlin Fire Department firefighters.
Starting Point
German-American friendship is an inherent part of the mentality of the people of Berlin. America was the crucial western ally and seen as a protector from the Soviets during the cold war.
A new generation of Berliners is now on the threshold of adulthood – a generation that has no personal experience of the Berlin Airlift or Wall. This generation will need to find new access to the special relationship between Germans and Americans.
The Next Generation Project
Strong connections between the Los Angeles and Berlin fire departments have developed in the context of the Berlin/Los Angeles sister city relationship. In the interest of creating a broader base for these connections, the Next Generation Project is an exchange program that aims to include the younger generation.
Ten young people from Berlin, ages 14 to 18, will spend two weeks living with the families of firefighters in Los Angeles. The goal is to facilitate encounters and experiences that are as personal as possible, with the aim of building strong and lasting relationships
In 2015, teens from Los Angeles visiting fire families in Berlin.
Host Families Needed
The search is on for volunteers to be host families for these teenage boys and girls here in Los Angeles. The host families will be asked to provide adequate accommodations and food in their homes for the participants. Transportation, spending money and other expenses will be paid by the participants own families.
To qualify as a host family, one parent must be on active LAFD duty. The LAFD family must also have at least one child at or near the same age as the visitor. The visiting teens will be in Los Angeles from July 15th thru July 30th .
Schedule of Events
Early on July 15th, the hosts and their guests will meet for a reception and pancake breakfast at Old Fire Station 27. Then the group will spend the morning on a Star Line tour of Hollywood. Other proposed activities include: Universal Studios, Disneyland, Venice Beach, a harbor tour, Dodger Game, and a Hollywood Bowl concert. Host families are encouraged to plan their own unique activities as well.
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Those interested in volunteering as host families can contact Lisa Schechter or Isaac Burks (LAFD retired) in the office of Councilman LaBonge for the application. They will be happy to answer any further questions you might have. The applications deadline is May 15th.
• Lisa Schechter: lisa.schechter@lacity.org
• Isaac Burks: isaac.burks@lacity.org
• Both can be reached at (213) 485-3337
