Dear Family Members,

Today’s young people face a crucial juncture in their lives as they graduate from high school and go on to college. As high school seniors are in the process of applying to college, we believe that many are struggling with the decision of whether to enter STF training or to go directly into college.

In order to give a clearer understanding of STF to both students and their parents, we have prepared several introductory videos and a brochure, as well as many testimonies of current STF members, graduates and parents, reports and photos from this year’s activities on our website, www.stfusa.com:

STF Most Recent/STF Photo Gallery: Latest news and photos from 1st Year teams around the country and 2nd Year Witnessing teams

Workshops: Reports from quarterly and monthly workshops

Sunday Projects: Reports from 1st Year teams visiting local churches and interacting with younger Blessed Children

Testimonies: Find out how STFers are experiencing God on the frontline!

STF Videos: STF Introductory/Promotional Video, 3rd International Assembly, individual testimonies

STF is a leadership-training program designed to help Second Generation understand their true identity and to inherit the "Culture of Heart," or the culture of living for the sake of others. Young members are given the opportunities to challenge their limitations and to develop leadership and relationship skills through experiential learning.

The program is a full-time, three-year training course. The first two years are served consecutively and in their home country, with the first year emphasizing on fundraising and second year witnessing. Divine Principle lecture training and Service for Peace projects are also incorporated. The third year is devoted to foreign mission work, which can be served any time after the first two years.

Anyone who will graduate from high school this year and turn 18 by the end of December 2006 are eligible for this coming class of STF-USA. If you are not an American citizen or a permanent resident, but you are currently living in the US, we will be happy to help you to receive an R-I visa, which is required by the Family Federation HQ.

The STF year will probably start from the beginning of next August with a 3-week kickoff workshop. However, we feel that all of us can benefit from preparing for this precious training now.

Upon receiving your completed application form, we will send you an STF handbook which includes more detailed information about how to prepare yourself, internally (i.e., spiritually and emotionally) and externally (i.e., taking care of college and scholarship/financial aid applications, and also physically). We would like to keep in touch with you throughout this year through phone calls and e-mail. If you live in the area where our 1st Year members are traveling, we will be happy to visit you and your family.

How to apply: Fill out the application form (click here for Application Form pdf) and:
1) Email to: stfusa@worldcarp.org.
2) Mail to: STF P.O. BOX 3068 Hayward, CA 94545
3) Fax to: (510) 259-0273

Christine Froehlich (Parents Association Board Chairperson), Makiko Watanabe (1st Year staff) and Shinji Nakamura (General Affairs Director) are available to answer any questions you may have: how to defer your admission or scholarship, how to prepare internally for STF, any physical or medical concerns, etc.

You can contact us

Via e-mail: stfusa@worldcarp.org
Via fax (510) 259-0273
Or via phone (510) 259-1139 (answering machine).

We will be looking forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Christine Froehlich
Parents Association Board Chairperson

Makiko Watanabe
1st Year staff representative
Shinji Nakamura
General Affairs Director