Tag Archives: suffolk county babysitters

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

 

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!

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.

  • 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 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.

Join Au Pair in America at Stony Brook Holiday Festival!

Au Pair in America is proud to be a sponsor of the Stony Brook Holiday Festival this Sunday, December 2.  Community Counselor Cindy Garruba, au pairs and host families will be decorating our International Peace Tree for the Promenade of Trees from 1 – 2 pm.  Stop by and learn about Au Pair in America at tree #109 near the Post Office.  Santa arrives at 2 pm!

Canoe Trip Sun to Storms back to Sun!

On a sunny Saturday afternoon 21 Long Island Au Pairs and 3 Community Counselors headed out on our annual canoe trip on the Nissequoque River.  Postponed one week due to storms we were all excited to have a fun afternoon on the river.

8 Canoes headed out with 2 to 3 au pairs per canoe.  Most had never canoed before and they had to get the feel of the paddles and put the strongest au pair in the rear to captain the canoe.

 

Counselors Cindy Garruba, Eileen Friedman and Captain Kristi Halpern joined the group and gave some guidance as they canoed along side the au pairs.

About half way into the trip dark clouds covered the sky and soon a series of intense downpours rained upon the group. Several of the canoe teams pulled to the side and had to dump out their canoes, take shelter and wait for the storm to subside.  After awhile the storms subsided and blue skies returned.

Drenched and tired, we all made it to the end of the river.  Counselor Andrea Wax was waiting for us to return, she had reassured au pairs who called her during the storm.  She took pictures of the returning teams.  Everyone had an unforgettable experience and said it was fun, even with the storm.  Au Pairs from Au Pair in America are adventurous young women ready to tackle any challenge they face!