Category Archives: Uncategorized

Celebrating Nadine, APIA Au Pair of the Year

Nadine Nauschutz from South Africa is the 2019 Au Pair in America Au Pair of the Year!  Read all about her accomplishments here!!

Nadine is in her second year as an au pair with her host family, the Galano family of Centerport, NY.  They nominated her for the award.

On Friday, January 24th, the Suffolk County Counselor, Cindy Garruba hosted a party to celebrate Nadine at Friendly’s in Stony Brook.  The Galanos surprised Nadine by coming and giving her flowers.  Some of the local au pairs also joined in to celebrate Nadine. 

Nadine was given this bracelet engraved with MORE THAN, she is so much more than an au pair, she is a Super Star!

Bracelet from APIA, necklace from her Community Counselor. Cindy collected the seaglass on Northville Beach, North Fork, Long Island. Nadine will always have a piece of Long Island with her as she moves on in her life

Learn more about hosting a wonderful Au Pair, like Nadine for your childcare needs.  Au Pair in America has been helping families like yours with flexible, reliable childcare since 1986.

Holiday Party, Friends, Food & Fun!!

On Sunday, December 15th the Suffolk County Cluster of Au Pair in America celebrated the holidays at their Community Counselor Cindy Garruba’s home.

We had an international potluck with au pairs preparing food from their countries.  It was fun sharing the traditions and food from all over the world!

We played some games and exchanged gifts.

FRIENDS – FOOD – FUN

 

Au Pair in America & Stony Brook Holiday Festival

Au Pair in America Suffolk County Cluster enjoyed a great Host family day at the Stony Brook Holiday Festival.  APIA was a proud sponsor of the event again this year.

Lots of host families and au pairs visited.  

Children made ornaments, everyone decorated the APIA International Peace Tree.

Santa arrived on a firetruck to listen to the children’s wishes.

There were carolers, a petting zoo, and a Puppet Parade featuring local legends and spies from the Revolutionary time.

A fun filled day.  Over 60 trees are decorated and on display until January 2, 2020.  You can vote for your favorite.  APIA’s tree in number 111 to the left of the Post Office.  Happy Holidays!

APIA Long Island Cluster Annual Canoe Trip

On a beautiful August afternoon, all 4 Long Island Au Pair in America Clusters canoed on the Nissequogue River.  The trip took about 2 hours, and we canoed in with the tide from Kings Park to the Smithtown Paul T. Givens Park.

16 canoes filled with au pairs and 4 Community Counselors paddled along the winding river.  Lots of other people were kayaking and canoeing along side us.  After the trip, au pairs relaxed waiting for their friends to all finish the route.

Fun day spent with friends!  Au Pair cluster activities provide au pairs with time with friends, opportunities to get to know each other and their counselors better.  It is an important part of the Au Pair in America experience!

GW4W and APIA

Cindy Garruba and Liza Galano

Au Pair in America was invited by GW4W (Global Women for Wellbeing) to their brunch meeting at CBS headquarters in NYC.  Liza Galano is a host mom in Suffolk County, Long Island and an organizer of the event.  Liza as Senior Director of Ad Sales, leads a team of global technologists in support of CBS’s Network Television division. She asked Cindy Garruba, Senior Community Counselor and Field Rep for APIA to bring materials for her group to learn about how hosting an au pair from APIA can help with working women’s wellbeing.

Viki Markle

Cindy was joined by Manhattan Community Counselor, Viki Markle at the event.  Both Counselors answered questions and gave out information about APIA.

The topic for the day was Women in Tech – Thriving as a Leader in Tech.  The panelists discussed their experiences as leaders and being resilient.  2 acronyms were a focus of the discussion;

Use your VOICE – Voice, Opportunity, Inspiration, Connection, Empowerment

Remember to be KIND to yourself and others – Keep Inspiring Nurturing & Developing

Nadine helping at an APIA event

Liza encourages other working parents to put in place a team to help them with childcare.  She considers her au pair to be so important to her peace of mind.  Currently Liza’s APIA is in her second year with her family.  Nadine is from South Africa and is providing 45 hours of childcare, sharing her culture with her host family and experiencing ours.

It was an inspiring event and APIA was happy to be part of it.

 

 

Au Pair in America & Wading River Duck Pond Day

Cindy Garruba Local Community Counselor 631-428-7052 cgarruba@aupairinamerica.com

Au Pair in America had a great day at Duck Pond Day in Wading River!  It was a beautiful day to spend with neighbors in this charming Suffolk County, Long Island village.  Music, food and lots of families had tons of fun.

3 Au Pairs helped out with kids coloring pictures of ducks on the pond and applying APIA tattoos.  The tattoos were a big hit with all the kids!

Nadine from South Africa applies APIA tattoos to a lot of kids

Former APIA Au Pair Jana stopped by with her husband and little girl to see her Community Counselor Cindy Garruba

Camilla from Colombia helps with the duck coloring pages

Marie from Germany and Camilla from Colombia helped out

Swan swimming on the Duck Pond

 

May Happenings for Suffolk Au Pair in America

Au Pairs from our cluster enjoying a social evening of pizza and fellowship at West Meadow Beach in Stony Brook this May.  We enjoyed a beautiful evening with a perfect sunset on the Long Island Sound.  Community Counselor Cindy Garruba brought pizza and water bottles, au pairs shared stories about who they are, vacations taken and planned.  It was a wonderful time for all.

On Friday, May 17th Cindy attended the English as a Second Language Graduation from Suffolk County Community College for 3 special au pairs.  Host families and friends attended, too, to congratulate them.

Noon from Thailand, Larissa from Brazil and Vanessa from Panama

 

Farewell to Viviana Au Pair from Colombia

Viviana from Colombia was an au pair in St. James, Suffolk County, Long Island, NY

Viviana arrived to a host family in Virginia in July 2017. Though that match did not work out, she was able to match with a great family in St. James, Suffolk County, Long Island, NY in Sept. She made the most of her time with her host family, her cluster of au pairs and in her community.

She volunteered helping her Community Counselor at a street fair in the fall.  Viviana studied English, she plans to be an English teacher in Colombia.  Cindy Garruba, her Community Counselor was happy to watch her graduate from the highest ESL Class from Suffolk County Community College!

Viviana graduates highest ESL Level at Suffolk Community College
Viviana back row 2nd in from the right

Viviana at Cluster International Potluck Holiday Party

Viviana enjoyed many cluster meetings with her au pair friends and was a very active member of the cluster. 

Viviana and Cindy at Taco Tuesday
Viviana earns education certificate from Au Pair in America

Cindy wished Viviana well in her next adventure with some resume building tips and they enjoyed Taco Tuesday at a local restaurant.