Host Family Program
Welcoming Scholars into the
Heart of Ridgefield
The Heart of our Mission
RABC Grad Emilie Frias shares her Host Family experience!
Our host families are at the heart of the ABC program and cherished members of the RABC community. When our Scholars arrive their Freshman year, they are paired with a welcoming local family who becomes their home away from home throughout their four-year journey. During the school year, Scholars spend one weekend (Friday-Sunday) and one overnight (Saturday-Sunday) a month with their host families.
By generously sharing their homes and lives, our host families create meaningful, lasting bonds that connect scholars to the wider community. Time and again, host families say the experience is just as rewarding for them—forming friendships and memories that last a lifetime.
BECOME A HOST FAMILY
Each Spring, we begin the search for new host families to join our program for the following school year. If you are interested in learning more about becoming a host family, please fill out the application below.
“Becoming a host family has been so rewarding and so much fun. We have loved adding a 4th child to our family, and we love that our children consider our student an honorary sibling. We have also enjoyed getting to know our host daughter's own family, and we consider them our new friends/family as well.”
— Meredith Renda (Gabby’s Host Family)
Frequently Asked Questions About our Host Family Program
Do I need to live in Ridgefield to be a Host Family?
Most of our Host Families live in Ridgefield or just beyond its borders. What makes the host family experience so special is the way they help enrich our Scholars’ lives through meaningful connections within the Ridgefield community.
What is the time required to be a Host Family?
Host Families commit to hosting one of our Scholars for 2-4 years, beginning their Freshman year. Scholars spend one weekend (Friday at 5pm-Sunday at 5pm) and one overnight (Saturday at 5pm-Sunday at 5pm) with their Host Family. We don’t ask our Host Families to change their regular weekend routines—we simply encourage Scholars to take part in those activities alongside you. Sports games, BBQs, family dinners- those are the moments that make the Host Family experience so special.
Do I have to have kids in high school to be a Host Family?
Not at all! Although some of our Host Families have or have had high schoolers, many of our Host Families have younger children or kids that have graduated and moved out on their own. We welcome families of all shapes and sizes!
What other requirements are there to becoming a Host Family?
Those interested in this opportunity will be interviewed by our Host Family Committee and, if accepted into the program, will be paired with a Freshman Scholar for the next school year. All members of the household who are age 18+ must undergo a background check.
Host Families are responsible for their Scholar’s transportation to and from their weekend activities and ensuring they have healthy meals while under their care.
Questions about our Host Family Program? Drop us a note!