Two of our Community Counselors (CCs), Christine Connally and Lisa Maxwell, along with their au pairs in the Washington D.C. metro area, have taken a special pledge to celebrate a special anniversary.
In honor of Au Pair in America’s milestone 30th anniversary, Christine and Lisa decided to celebrate thirty years of cultural exchange by pledging thirty hours of community service in 2016. In doing so, they are helping the surrounding community and providing wonderful opportunities for their au pairs to get out and have fun while making a difference.
“Au Pair in America launched the first U.S. au pair program in 1986 and we are celebrating our 30th anniversary this year,” remarks Christine. “Lisa and I discussed ways to celebrate this momentous occasion and came up with a plan for our cluster to carry out 30 hours of service in 2016.”
“Au pairs always enjoy opportunities to take part in service projects. We normally do one or two projects each year as a cluster. This year we are stepping up our game and are looking for ways to volunteer in a variety of different types of charities (benefitting the homeless, children, animals, the environment, etc.).”
Take a look at what Christine, Lisa and this group of au pairs have done so far and what’s planned next:
- In April, they worked together to make sandwiches for the D.C. Central Kitchen to provide food for homeless people.
- To celebrate J Day, a nationwide celebration of the power of international exchange, they participated in a J-Day shoe collection event on July 31st.
- On August 9, the group is prepared to label storm drains. This is a project in conjunction with the City of Bowie,to help raise awareness about the importance of protecting our waterways.
Christine and Lisa’s service area includes Takoma Park, Silver Spring, Southern Anne Arundel County and Prince George’s County Maryland. As Community Counselors, they are each responsible for helping au pairs and host families throughout the exchange.
Christine and Lisa will be sharing updates as their projects continue in pursuit of 30 hours of service in 2016. You can keep an eye on our blog for updates on what this motivated group of people will accomplish as they work together toward their goal.
Thank you so much to Christine, Lisa and all of the wonderful au pairs they work with for their pledge to donate thirty hours of service in honor of our thirty years as the leading au pair agency in the United States. It remains our great privilege to be America’s first au pair program, and we are SO appreciative of your contributions to international education and cultural exchange with Au Pair in America!
