Getting to Know Leslye Oquendo-Thomas

Name: Leslye Oquendo-Thomas

City/State:  Yonkers, NY

This month we are proud to honor Leslye Oquendo-Thomas as our Coordinator of the Month. Leslye has been with Twinn Palms for the past five months and in that time she has done an amazing job at ensuring her host families and students have settled in and established a solid routine. Her love for her students shines through her ability to help her students feel loved and supported. We are lucky and grateful to have such a talented person on our team. Congratulations Leslye!

What have you learned as a Homestay Coordinator with Twinn Palms?

To be truly independent and adjust to life in the United States, students need to be open-minded and biological parents need to step back a little and let their children come into their own.

What was your favorite moment with your students?

I have only been with students for two months, because I was brought on board before the transition to Twinn Palms actually took place in September. However, my favorite moment was when the students starting reaching out to me on their own for help with issues, which is when I truly felt like part of the team.

What do you recommend as the number one “must have” for a host family?

A lot of patience and understanding. It takes a lot of courage for a 14/15 year old to travel to a foreign land, live with strangers, adapt to a new way of life, and be immersed in a foreign language. It will take time for them to get over the culture shock. Host families that truly understand what the students are going through would make for a smoother transition.

Thank you again, Leslye, for your dedication to your role as Homestay Coordinator; you are truly appreciated and valued.