Eight Au Pairs from Maryland and Virginia awoke at 530am to reach downtown DC by 7am to report for their volunteer positions at the Race4Respect. By 8am, Pennsylvania Avenue was abuzz with families and children all anxious to start the Race4Respect. Victoria Paton, Senior Community Counselor, was proud of her Au Pairs wanting to help out and they posed for some pre-Run photos.
As quite a few of our Au Pairs care for children with Down syndrome, Au Pair in America decided to become a sponsor of this fairly new, but important, event.
Two Au Pairs from Brazil ran with their Host Families.
Au Pairs from Victoria Paton’s Cluster came to volunteer and they had a blast! l-r Germany, Austria, Germany and Brazil were represented.
Race4Respect 5k, 1k and fun run was founded in 2014 and is the only event dedicated to Down Syndrome Awareness that stops traffic in the nation’s capital.
A run-loving Host Family participated in Race4Respect. Their Au Pair, Robyn, is from Australia and loves charity races.
These super-volunteering Au Pairs were joined by 4 DC Area Host Families who all walked and ran in the race as well.
It was a gorgeous day and everyone had fun with the Capitol as a backdrop!
The Race4Respect was created in the belief that negative stereotypes or judgements might be eliminated if persons with Down syndrome or other intellectual disabilities would participate together to share a day of friendship and fun.
The hope of Race organizers is that people might proceed in their lives more inclined to hire individuals with disabilities, help them at the bus stop, chat with them at a coffee shop, or simply believe in their ability before automatically dismissing them as unable.
This Host Family and their Au Pair, Cami, from Brazil, were involved in the organization of this awareness-building event.
Au Pairs pass water to thirsty runners and walkers along the route.
Wheels helped the littlest Host children complete the ENTIRE course!
Mariana, from Mexico, and her Host children walked the entire route proud to be part of Team Au Pair in America!
Mariana and children walk toward the US Capital.
Team Au Pair in America!