Host An Irish Child This Summer!

Open your home and your hearts for one month this summer to an 11-12 year old child from Northern Ireland!

Host Family's Summer Experience...click here

Throughout the Irish Children's Fund's (ICF) 27 years of operation over 3,500 Protestant and Catholic boys and girls from Belfast have experienced the warmth and caring of families such as yours. All kinds of families...those with children, young couples, single women, empty nesters, retirees... have built memories that will last a lifetime. The children will be hosted in the greater Chicago area during the month of July, 2009. But it doesn't end there! Back in Belfast there is an ongoing program that brings them together weekly. Three years later they can return to the U.S as part of the Teen program.

Since 1982 the ICF worked to help bring about an end to violence. Now that this has been accomplished we strive to bring closure to the past and encourage the young people to build real cross community trust and friendship. We have found a young child's stay with a loving American family helps greatly to model a more hopeful future for them. The close ties that develop between the child, the Irish family and the host family leads to life changing experiences and a lifetime of memories and friendships.

We are very grateful for the marvelous work you have done in helping bring peace to Northern Ireland. It came about over many years through working quietly at a grass roots level, little by little, one child at a time. Finally, people have embraced real change ... now to begin the healing!
- Dr. Marjorie Mowlan, Ex. Secretary of State, Northern Ireland

Find out how you can become part of this remarkable program; Call the ICF at 630-833-1910 or click here to contact us via email.

Program Outline

If you are interested in hosting a child in 2007, please click here to learn what is involved.

Meet the Children of the ICF

Amy Gilmore

"I think my experience in America was brilliant. I would like to thank my host family for taking me in and making me part of their family. I still keep in touch by email, phone and the odd letter. I hope to get the chance to return again."

Michaela Delaney

" I really enjoyed America. My host family was so loving and welcoming. They made a big effort to make me part of the family. My Photo Album gives me many happy memories of when I was in America. No matter when I look at it I get a feeling of happiness."

Conor Scott

"I'm enjoying myself and having fun at the weekly meetings in Belfast. ICF has made me stronger and more comfortable to talk to and make friends with people from different religions."

Jack Millar

"I look forward to going to the weekly meetings as it means I can catch up with my new friends. I will always remember my time in America and hope I return again in three years time."