Lee Rappaport

Country Line Dancing a Huge Success with Au Pair Groups

Posted by: lrappaport on March 7, 2010

Getting together for”Kickin’ Up Our Heels & Boots” were six LCC groups on Sunday, February 28th.   Many au pairs were introduced to Americana Country Line Dancing in Thousand Oaks, CA.  Borderline Bar and Grill provided our au pairs with a dance instructor, teaching us the “Electric Slide” & two other popular Country favorites.  Western music, fine vittles and soda were enjoyed by the 70 au pairs that attended the February event.  Prizes were given out to the best cowgirl garb. 

Putting Kids First: helping at risk children worldwide

Posted by: lrappaport on February 26, 2010

Putting Kids First: helping at-risk children worldwide
As part of Cultural Care Au Pair’s mission to break down barriers of culture and language through educational exchange, a group of local childcare coordinators and staff recently visited South Africa to see firsthand the difference the donations from the Cultural Care community have made through our charitable organization Kids First.

Since it’s inception in 2004, Kids First has supported many worldwide organizations that work with at-risk youth. From the daycare center in Brazil to the school library in New Orleans to an orphanage in Russia, Kids First has supported a wide range of global organizations. Our most recent work at an orphanage and daycare center in a poverty-stricken township outside Capetown, South Africa is another great example of the work we are doing worldwide.

Cultural Care staff and LCCs had an opportunity to visit several projects funded through CHOSA, an organization that Kids First supports. CHOSA provides support to programs that work with at-risk children and their families to provide nutrition, medication, clothing, food, shelter and an education.

During the service visit, those who participated had a chance to visit the Ubuhle Babantwana Care Center, which helps 150 children, some of whom are HIV positive. Donations received from au pairs, host families and Cultural Care LCCs and staff have provided funds for the building of a new structure for the infants and toddlers in the center. The group from Cultural Care Au Pair had an opportunity to see the new structure, meet the inspirational director and dedicated teachers and had some time to play with the children.

In addition, the group visited the Ilitha-Labantwana Place of Safety, the Philani Child Health and Nutrition Project, the Emasithandane Children’s Project and the Baphumulele Children’s Home. The Cultural Care team is now bringing their experience back to the U.S. to raise awareness, and additional funds for even more projects that Kids First supports.

“Our Kids First trip to Cape Town was truly amazing and inspiring,” says Local Childcare Coordinator Trudy Mar. “The work, effort, love and sacrifice the women heading up these projects give to all of the kids goes well beyond what most of us could imagine. If one little body sleeps better, eats better and smiles more, we’ve helped to change their future and make the world a better place. Every dollar we raise for Kids First definitely does make a difference.”

For information about how you can make a contribution to Kids First, or raise awareness for the programs it supports, visit http://www.culturalcare.com/aboutus/kidsfirst/ or contact your Local Childcare Coordinator.

Recognize your au pair! Nominations due for 2010 IAPA AU PAIR of the YEAR AWARD

Posted by: lrappaport on December 22, 2009

Recognize your au pair! Nominations due for 2010 IAPA Au Pair of the Year Award

Every year thousands of young people from all over the world embark on a special journey by becoming an au pair. Now it’s time to recognize the extraordinary and ordinary daily accomplishments that each au pair makes in his or her host family by nominating your au pair for the International Au Pair Association’s seventh annual Au Pair of the Year Award.

The International Au Pair Association established the Au Pair of the Year Award to recognize the many great young men and women participating in the au pair program worldwide. In addition, the award helps highlight public awareness of this valuable cultural exchange program.

For the last two years, au pairs with Cultural Care have been honored with the IAPA Au Pair of the Year Award. In 2009, the honor was awarded to Francisco Ricardo Silva de Araújo, of Brazil, an au pair to the Boyer family of Virginia. In 2008, Linda Falter, an au pair from Germany, received the award while she was an au pair for the Sato family of Hayward, California.

What makes your au pair outstanding?
Maybe it’s the day-to-day things he or she does, such as kicking around a soccer ball, helping the kids with homework or entertaining them while you cook dinner. Maybe it’s the way he or she has embraced your family, such as teaching your kids her language, baking treats from her home country or coming to watch your children in the winter program at school. Every thing your au pair does that helps your family or brings a rich cultural exchange into your family is worthy of recognition, and a great way of saying thank you to your au pair!

Host families who would like to nominate their au pair should submit an essay detailing what makes their au pair exceptional in the form provided. Nominations for the Au Pair of the Year Award must be received by Friday, January 15. Once you’ve submitted your nomination, don’t forget to share it with your au pair to show her or him how much you think of what she or he does for your family!

Simply nominating an au pair for the IAPA Au Pair of the Year Award is a wonderful honor that can show your au pair how much you value what she or he does for your family. This award allows so many in the au pair community to reflect on what an incredibly positive program this is and the many lives it touches and enriches along the way.

For more information about the Au Pair of the Year Award or nominating your au pair please email: LeeCCAuPair@aol.com OR go to this link: https://culturalcare.wufoo.com/forms/2010-au-pair-of-the-year-nomination-form-copy/

Hiking in the Santa Monica Mountains

Posted by: lrappaport on November 23, 2009

What a glorious day!  Sunny skies and the perfect temperature for a hike.  After reviewing the CEP for Fall and additional information on what’s going on in our awesome au pair group, we set out on the trail. We had clear views of Catalina Island, Palos Verdes Peninsula, the whole Los Angeles Basin, downtown L.A. and more. Great exercise, gab & friendships.

CHI GONG INSTRUCTOR SHOWS AU PAIRS HOW TO DE-STRESS

Posted by: lrappaport on September 5, 2009

Au Pairs will have a Play Date in the Park with Chi Gong Instructor

Posted by: lrappaport on August 5, 2009

We’re having a Play Date in the park with a Chi Gong Instructor, Lin Morel.  www.linmorel.com

Chi Gong is a 2000-year-old series of bodily movements and breaths that calms the spirit and the mind. It has also been shown to strengthen the immune system, reduce stress, and improve balance and posture. Doesn’t this sound perfect after taking care of your host kids?

We’ll be meeting at Douglas Park in Santa Monica on Sunday morning, August 16th at 10:30 a.m.

If you are an au pair in my group, please RSVP by texting or emailing me at: LeeCCAuPair@aol.com

PiNkBeRrY KiDs FiRsT EvEnT

Posted by: lrappaport on July 20, 2009

Photos from the July 2nd Pinkberry Kids First Event.

Grab a partner…we’re going double kayaking on June 14th

Posted by: lrappaport on June 11, 2009

TIme: 11 a.m.

Where: Marina del Rey…see email with details

Cost: $10 per person.  If you want a single kayak, that will be $15.

Remember, it’s June gloom these days so the weather will start out cool & overcast.  Please wear layers and use sunscreen.

See you on Sunday!

Au Pairs Hit the Runway at Host Event

Posted by: lrappaport on May 26, 2009

Sunday, May 17th was a perfect day in Los Angeles for a host moms & au pairs Tea & Fashion show. 

Lee’s Awesome Au Pairs Gear Up for Fashion Show and Tea

Posted by: lrappaport on May 9, 2009

Moms and Au Pairs will enjoy an Afternoon in the Garden for Tea and a Fashion Show on Sunday, May 17th from 2-5 p.m.  The models?  Au pairs from around the world wearing clothes that reflect Paris, Milan, the Serengeti, St. Tropez and right here in the USA such as the Hamptons and San Francisco.  Everyone is very excited to descend the staircase & take to the runway in the lovely home of one of our host families.  PLease RSVP if you have not done so my 5/13/09.  Remember ladies, pinkies up when sipping tea.  Cheerio!