This cluster meeting is quiet and calm. It’s a time for us to gather and just be. We got our craft on at Paint the Town and made some tiles, ornaments and pottery and it was good. https://www.paintthetown.studio
It was a spooky pre-Halloween walk around Pioneer Square, hearing the history of our new found home with newfound friends. Especially interesting was the story of Shelley‘s Leg, the history behind the purple glass, and the unfortunate glue fire that started at all. Boo! Thanks to our friends at https://www.beneath-the-streets.com/
The APIA peace keepers in our corner of the globe gathered up this past Sunday. We had 8 countries representing for our culture fair and the kids “traveled the world” to meet the au pairs and hear more about their countries. The weather kept dry and we had sunshine in our hearts, playing scavenger bingo, doing a spirited water balloon toss and getting to know one another. Thanks to our amazing au pairs and families who make the program all it is here in WA!
What fun it was to meet in Gasworks Park, get to know one another better with speed dating questions and decorate (and sign one another’s) trucker hats.
We met up in Arbor Heights Swim Club to celebrate the power of cross cultural exchanges and walking a day in someone else’s shoes. Shoes were donated, ice cream sundae’s made, high jumps crushed, volleyballs volleyed and swim quizzes guessed.
Here is more on the Exchange Day celebrated across the US and sponsored by the US government to help keep the world safe and secure: https://alliance-exchange.org/alliance-commentary/celebrating-an-american-superpower-exchange-day-2025/
Nearly 75 au pairs from around the globe now living in the Greater Seattle area came together to witness another Mariner’s victory. Our game had a home run, a salmon race, fly balls and sunshine! It was great to gather the areas Community Counselors and their clusters to kick off summer together. New friends were made and an American pastime experienced!
A group of au pairs spent their hard earned free time on a weekend to learn life-saving skills they will carry with them forever and wherever. Together with our Red Cross partnership, APIA Au pairs received hands on instruction in CPR, wound care, and emergency preparedness. So proud of those who earned the certificate and happy Au Pair in America can provide these scholarships to hard-working and dedicated au pairs. The beat of “Pink Pony Club” takes on all new and important meaning for this amazing group.
Please excuse the springtime pun in the title, but it’s gorgeous out with budding trees and we had a wonderful night as a global community of buds. We practiced English and made new friends while trying out a new sport for some of us. A great Friday night learning an American tradition.
We learned where the funds of the foundation are spent in keeping people safe and healthy around the world. From vaccines to sanitary water, the innovations create equity in an inequitable world. Inspiration is contagious and au pairs discussed volunteering in the community after our museum tour. We are all in this together!
Our joint cluster meeting with nearly 100 au pair participants around WA was a lovely success. The UW women’s basketball game fell on the Superbowl, but that only meant that those who came kept the festivities going at a second location to watch more sports together! It was a great basketball game and community day.
