We are delighted to announce our National and State Winners for the 2015 Au Pair Community Service Awards. It was truly inspiring to read the submissions and we are so proud of all of the au pairs who have given back to their communities.
Candidates participated in community service activities in their area within the past year, ranging from volunteering with children and the elderly, to assisting local schools and Girl Scout Troops, to working with conservation groups, and so much more.Visit our 2015 Au Pair Community Service Awards page to read their stories.
We also want to say a special thank you to the community counselors who support our au pairs in their volunteer efforts. Helping au pairs pursue these opportunities enables them to experience cultural exchange at the root level in their communities.
Please take a moment to enjoy reading the entries, such as National Winner Susana’s story about how volunteering impacted her and enhanced her cultural exchange:
One thing that really made me happy about the place I was volunteering was that the person running the CAC is Colombian, Doris Pereira, a woman like myself. It was a nice surprise finding someone from my background to show me it’s possible to engage different cultures through compassion.
Susana and her Community Counselor, Cindy Hallen
I have learned everyone needs helps once or twice in their life, and receiving from a community that wants to see you be in a better place has no price.
Volunteering is important to me because I want to say I lived my time here to the fullest, and I truly believe there is no better way to do that than giving yourself without asking for anything back, other than a wonderful experience. I think every au pair should try it to really have a well-rounded exchange year.
And everyone should do community service to learn about the true faces of American people, those you don’t see in movies or TV. Helping others is a great way of growing as a human being.
Thank you again to all of our au pairs who made a difference in their community this year!
