Tag Archives: volunteer

Volunteering at Capital Area Food Bank

 


Last weekend, we volunteered at the Capital Area Food Bank in DC. We were tasked with filling boxes that will be distributed to families in need. Our group made up more than half of the afternoon volunteer shift that filled 900 boxes!

The boxes go around on a conveyor belt and each pair of volunteers adds it’s designated food can or package. The boxes sped up as the group gets better at filling them. We never quite got to I Love Lucy speed, but there were a few intense moments. It was a great experience and several of the au pairs said that they would be interested in going back and volunteering on their own. If you are interested in helping the Capital Area Food Bank, check out their Volunteer Information Page.

What is Global Awareness?

What is Global Awareness?

The Global Awareness program brings expanded educational and​ ​cultural opportunities to the forefront for au pairs. It gives them the​ ​opportunity to share their culture with others.

How do au pairs get involved?

Au Pairs can volunteer in pre-school, elementary and middle school classrooms. They have the opportunity to share their culture, customs and language with young American children. The mission of this volunteer experience is to bring multi-cultural understanding into the classrooms and help children form positive first impressions of people from other countries. Visit the Get Involved page of our website for all the info you need to get started.

Is Global Awareness just for schools?

No. Au pairs have done presentations for scout groups, at birthday parties and at children’s story times.

Are you interested in scheduling a Global Awareness presentation?

Teachers, parents or others who would like to schedule a presentation, please visit the Global Awareness website for more information and a contact link.

How can Global Awareness help host parents?

Global Awareness offers a webinar series for host parents. The goal is to increase their cultural awareness, improve communication with their au pair and ensure the most successful exchange possible. Your community counselor can provide you with the webinar schedule and how to register.

April is Community Service Month

Making a Difference in Your Community 

April is community service month. Volunteering is a great way to make a difference in your community as well as improve your English and learn about American culture. You can volunteer on your own, with friends or with your host family. If you don’t know where to start check out the Volunteer Match website. They can help you find a volunteer opportunity in your area, with an organization that you would like to support.

Our cluster volunteering at the DC Area Diaper Bank last year.

2019 Au Pair in America Community Service Awards 

If you have been volunteering in the past year, we want to hear all about it! Au Pair in America is looking for our au pairs who have gone above and beyond in the last year to volunteer and have a real impact on their community. Go online HERE to get more information on the 2019 Au Pair in America Community Service Awards. Entry deadline is May 1.

 

Volunteering for International Exchange Day

Our cluster volunteered at the Greater DC Diaper Bank as part of International Exchange Day, also know as J-Day.

We collected donations from some of our host families and au pairs. We learned about the great work they do and spent a few hours packaging up diapers for distribution to families in need throughout the greater DC area.

If you’d like to find out more about this organization, and ways to support them, check out their wish list here.

Here is a post on the Au Pair in America Blog about us and other clusters across the country making a difference in our communities.

#EatPlayGive: Celebrating International Exchange Day

 

30 Hours of Service Update – Sending Smiles

Back in May, we announced that our cluster would be celebrating Au Pair in America’s 30th anniversary year with 30 Hours of Service in 2016. We are counting the time preparing for and carrying out the volunteer projects.

We have done these project so far:
April 10 – Making Sandwiches for the Homeless (5 hours of service)
July 31 – J-Day Shoe Donation (3 hours)
August 9 – Storm Drain Project (6 hours)
September – Preparing for International Festival (4 hours)

And at our November 27 cluster meeting – Making cards for Sending Smiles (2 hours)

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Still to come:
December – Holiday Global Awareness presentation for Cub Scouts, buying and wrapping gifts for needy kids, making scarves and volunteering at a school Santa shop.

30 Hours of Service Update

Back in May, we announced that our cluster would be celebrating Au Pair in America’s 30th anniversary year with 30 Hours of Service in 2016.

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J-Day Shoe Collection Event

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Storm Drain Marking Project

We have done three project so far:

April 10 – Making Sandwiches for the Homeless (5 hours of service)

July 31 – J-Day Shoe Donation (3 hours)

August 9 – Storm Drain Project (6 hours)

 

 

 

 

Still to come…

September – Making Cards for Hospitalized Kids

October – Bowie International Festival

 

Celebrating APIA’s 30th Anniversary with Service

Au Pair in America launched the first U.S. au pair program in 1986. We are celebrating our 30th anniversary this year. 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. We are looking for ways to volunteer in a variety of different types of charities (benefitting the homeless, children, animals, the environment, etc.) We will post updates as our projects continue. So, check back to see what we can do when we work together.

We have done one project so far:

April 10 – Making Sandwiches for the Homeless (5 hours of service)

 

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How are we counting the 30 hours?

We are counting the time our group works on the project together (making sandwiches 1 1/2 hours), time preparing for event and purchasing supplies (2 hours) and time delivering them to DC Central Kitchen (1 1/2 hours.)