Kids collecting flag stickers from each country for their passports
This past Sunday,the Au pair In America clusters of Arlington and Falls Church had their annual picnic with host families and au pairs and what a blast it was.The weather was just perfect to host this event and the location was very central to all of our host families.Here are a few of the many pictures we have from this event.
Our terrific face painters
Friday (March 8th) is International Women’s Day! This day helps to jumpstart the month of March, which has now been named National Women’s History Month in the United States . International Women’s Day is celebrated in 176 countries and allows women worldwide to connect, celebrate and honor women past, present, and future.
On this day women will “Celebrate, Commit, and Connect.” They’ll celebrate like never before ~ connect as only women do ~ and commit to improve in 3 areas of their lives:
1. Personal ~ improve their personal health and well being, and their businesses as employees, business owners, entrepreneurs.
2. Family ~ help their families be healthier and prepare for the future right now.
3. Country ~ let their voices be heard: to speak up, to make positive changes in their communities/countries.
Au Pair in America is an organization fully commited to enriching the lives and minds of young women and this day is highly regarded within the organization.
Young women from all over the globe, ages 18 -26, come to America to live with an American family and learn about American culture. The Au Pair in America cultural exchange program provides a platform to really the change lives of the young women that participate. Fanny Carvajal-Delgado, one of our former au pairs from Costa Rica, has said “Working as an aupair with Au Pair in America is a life changing experience. It has changed my life, the way I value my family and friends, the way I see the world and the way I think about myself, in a positive way. I will never be the same person ! When I finished the program I was more mature, Independent and responsible.”
In recognition of International Women’s Day, below are some ways you can celebrate this day as well as National Women’s History month in your lcoal community:
To find for an International Women’s Day event in your area, go to www.internationalwomensday.com!
Did you know that Au Pair in America will pay for the cost of a Red Cross class providing you have at least six months left on your visa and you are taking one of several approved childcare/child safety related classes, such as infant/child CPR or Community First Aid and Safety. Check with your counselor for details!
We just celebrated the start of the Holiday season with our au pairs this past Friday night. Over 50 au pairs joined the party and each one brought a delicious dish to share as well as some cookies for our cookie exchange.
Everyone enjoyed the time spent together and was even treated to a wonderful Sing-Along headed by Rianke of South Africa and a 
piano concerto by french au pair Celia Moreau. Marissa from South Africa and Laura from Germany played the guitar and Christina from Germany played the flute.
Who knew we had so many talented au pairs in our group!
Dominique and Kristina.
A large group of au pairs turned up at yesterday’s cluster meeting with pumpkins in hand and ready to carve.
Our au pairs actively collected clothes and gently used shoes over the past couple of months and brought lots and lots of bags at our last cluster meeting.
We were able to make 2 deliveries to the organization ArtForHumanity,located in South Arlington.All the donations will go to Honduras to help promote small business development and education.
Thank you to all of our APIA host families and au pairs for your participation.
In celebration of the 25th Anniversary of Au Pair in America and the beginning of legal au pair programs in America, we will be hosting a Cultural Fair on April 9th, 2011 from 1:00 to 3:00 at Glen Echo Park in Maryland. All of the clusters in the DC/MD/VA area will be participating. We expect to have au pairs representing over 25 different countries.
This is a family event and open to the public. Anyone interested in learning about other cultures and the Au Pair in America program is invited.
This event will take place at the beautiful, historic Spanish Ballroom at Glen Echo Park.
