Written by: Veronica Nevarez
How Lucia “HostMama” Valdez is Helping Shape Futures Through Student Exchange
In 1994, a teenager from Brazil with “big dreams” stepped off a plane in El Paso, Texas. Her name was Lucia Valdez, and her journey as an exchange student at Hanks High School would set in motion a lifetime of giving back.
“I was welcomed by the most wonderful host family, people who, to this very day, I still call my family,” Valdez recalls. That year, she swam with the Hanks High School team, built lifelong friendships, and discovered what it meant to be part of a new community. “That year truly shaped who I became.”
Coming Full Circle
Life brought Valdez back to El Paso years later to attend UTEP, where she met her husband. From the beginning, she shared her exchange story with him. Together, they knew they wanted to one day pay it forward.
And they did. Over the past decade, the couple has welcomed five international students into their home. “Each one brought something special into our lives: new cultures, laughter, love, and lessons that we will carry forever,” Valdez says.
From Host Family to Community Leader
Wanting to extend her impact, Valdez took the next step by joining Ayusa, a nonprofit international exchange program that has connected students and host families for more than 40 years. Today, she proudly serves as El Paso’s Community Representative.
“What if I could help even more kids, not just the ones who came to live with us?” she asked herself. Through Ayusa, she found the answer.
Her role allows her to match students ages 14–18 from around the world with local families who are willing to say yes.
The Power of Saying “Yes”
Valdez emphasizes that nearly anyone can host. “Families of all shapes and sizes can host, and nearly everyone can become a host family: big families, small families, single parents, empty nesters, retirees, same-sex couples, city dwellers, country folks. If you can provide a bed, three meals a day, and love, you can change a life.”
Some families even choose to host two students at once, creating an even richer cultural exchange.
Changing Lives, One Student at a Time
For Valdez, hosting is more than just providing a place to stay — it’s about creating connections that last a lifetime. “Your YES can change a life. Just like my host family changed mine. And who knows, it might change yours too.”
Through her leadership and open-hearted spirit, Lucia “HostMama” Valdez is helping El Paso families not only welcome the world into their homes, but also strengthen the bonds of community right here at home.
Learn more or connect with Lucia on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok at Lucia HostMama Valdez, or visit ayusa.org to explore how you can become a host family.
