Au Pair in America 25th Anniversary Celebration at the Department of State On Thursday, June 9, Au Pair in America celebrated 25 years of working closely with the United States Department of State to bring over 87,000 young women to work as au pairs in the United States.  Ann Stock, Assistant Secretary of State and Senator Christopher Dodd, Chairman and CEO of the Motion Picture Association of America, joined AIFS (the parent organization of Au Pair in America) President and CEO Bill Gertz and Ruth Ferry, Senior Vice President of Au Pair in America to welcome host families and au pairs to the Benjamin Franklin Room at the Department of State.  There, they spoke about the value of the au pair program for building cross cultural understanding and friendship. Thank you to the host families and au pairs who were able to attend this inspiring event!  It was a busy workday and, indeed, the hottest day of the year so far!  At this time, I also want to express my appreciation to my cluster of host families and au pairs for choosing Au Pair in America.  It is always my pleasure to work with you! Au Pair in America was the first agency to bring au pairs to the United States and since 1986 has worked closely with the Department of State.  Twenty five years is a milestone and a chance to look back with appreciation for all that this program has achieved — and a chance to look forward to many more years of bringing the world together.

ViVa! Vienna!2011 Memorial Day Festival

Saturday, May 28, 2011:

Food & Rides Only (10am-10pm), Entertainment (5pm – 10pm)

Sunday, May 29, 2011:

Vendors (10am-6pm), Food & Rides (10am-10pm), Entertainment (12:00pm-10pm)

Monday, May 30, 2011:

Vendors, Food, Entertainment. & Rides (10am-6pm)

http://www.vivaviennava.org/      for more information!

Cinco de mayo commemorates the May 5, 1862 Battle of Puebla (Batalla de Puebla) in which Mexican troops defeated Napoleon’s French forces. Cinco de mayo is celebrated more in the United States than in Mexico.

Au Pairs and Host Families,
There is a new link to find the most up to date information about doctors, hospitals, etc. within network. It is: http://www.hygeia.net/customer_tools/customers/culturalinsurance/main.asp. The aupairinamerica.com website will be updated to include this information soon, but in the meantime, please refer to this if you need it. Also, there is a $250 surcharge for unnecessary visits to the Emergency Room. Please consider going to Urgent Care, Minute Clinic, or a doctors office when you are sick.

Many countries celebrate a special day for mothers. In the U.S, it started as a day of peace; now it is more a day to celebrate and pamper Mom. Help the children make cards or gifts or plan a special meal or other surprise for Mom. Read picture books to young children about mothers such as Are You My Mother by PD Eastman, Little Bear (an I Can Read Book) by Else Holmelund Minarik, or Just Me and My Mom by Mercer Mayer. You’ll find many other choices in your local library. For ideas of activities and surprises, visit www.kidsdomain.com/holiday/mom/.

What would make a host mom happiest? YOU — thanking her for any or all that she has done to make this a special year for you!