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!
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!
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.
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.
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
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.
Viviana volunteering at Fall Festival in Wading River
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 CollegeViviana 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.
The basic rule of playground safety: watch the children at all times, particularly near swings, and climbing equipment.
Some playgrounds are on school grounds and should be avoided if the school children are outside playing.
Whenever you go out in warm weather, remember to bring along drinks.
It is important to apply sunscreen, even if it is hazy.
Safety around water is particularly important. A child can drown in just a few inches of water. Whenever you are near water you must never leave a child alone – if the phone rings, take them with you or let it ring! Always stay within arm’s reach when the children are in water.
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. 
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!
