Hurst Family Summer Story

For the first two weeks in July this past summer, Meah left her home in the Bronx to visit the Hurst family in Denver, Pennsylvania. Ever since Meah's first visit with the Hursts in 2003, she has fit right in with the family's four children. Andrew, 17, and Shannon, 19, have become like older brothers to Meah. Amy Hurst, 14, is just about Meah's age, so they "get along best." And the Hurst's youngest child, Kelly Jo, cannot remember a time when Meah's stay was not part of her summer.

According to Meah, every year is "loads of fun," and "never routine," because the Hursts always change things up. When asked about the first few summers with the Hursts, Meah recalls a number of fun excursions and rising traditions, including ventures to Pennsylvania's famed Hershey Park and stops to get popsicles, a cool summer treat to savor on the ride home from the bus stop. Highlights of this past summer include an adventurous trip to the amusement park, where Meah braved the roller coasters, and mellower, casual swimming trips with the Hurst's extended family and friends.

During the school year, Meah keeps up with the Hurst family by exchanging letters and small gifts. One summer, host mom, Joyce Hurst, even volunteered to come on the bus back to New York City as an escort in order to meet Meah's mom, Tasha.

Now, as an eighth grader, Meah has started to think about more serious matters, like college, and even offers that she would consider going to school in Pennsylvania!

Joyce concludes, "We look forward to spending more time with Meah in the future, and seeing what dreams she can fulfill in the exciting years to come."