Sheri Watkins

Consider Hosting A Male Au Pair!

Posted by: swatkins on March 3, 2010

Cultural Care Puts Kids First!

Posted by: swatkins on March 3, 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.

Some Fun Holiday Family Events in Columbus Ohio

Posted by: swatkins on December 3, 2009

The Phoenix Theatre for Children presents Madeline’s Christmas

http://www.phoenix4kids.org/madeline.php

The Columbus Children’s Theater presents The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

http://www.colschildrenstheatre.org/2009-10_Season/upcoming09-3.html

Worthington Square PJs with Santa

http://www.worthingtonsquare.com/pjs/

Wild Lights at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

http://www.columbuszoo.org/default.aspx

Holidays in Powell

http://www.cityofpowell.us/event-holiday-tree.php

Have a wonderful holiday season!

Au Pair & Host Family Halloween Party!

Posted by: swatkins on November 20, 2009

Everyone had a Spooktacular time at our Halloween party on Oct. 31, 2009! The costumes were awesome and everyone enjoyed yummy treats and fun games and crafts!

Lovely Ladies!

Catherine's steaming brew was a big hit!

September Au Pair Meeting @ Zone 71!

Posted by: swatkins on October 21, 2009

Northwest Columbus Au Pairs enjoyed a great afternoon on Sat., Sept. 26 at Zone 71! Roller Skating, Laser Tag, Pizza, and Fun with Friends; what more can you ask for?

TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALL GAME!!!

Posted by: swatkins on September 16, 2009

COLUMBUS CULTURAL CARE AU PAIRS ATTEND A COLUMBUS CLIPPERS BASEBALL GAME!

Our Au Pairs cheered on the Columbus Clippers on August 22, in beautiful, new Huntington Park in Downtown Columbus. For some this was the first time to an American Baseball Game! Many tried to catch a foul ball “prize!”

We enjoyed lots of stadium food and enjoyed the great weather!

2009 Scavenger Hunt at Easton Town Center!

Posted by: swatkins on June 10, 2009

Easton Town Center 6/7/09

Central Ohio Cultural Care Au Pairs enjoyed a great afternoon at Easton Town Center for the annual scavenger hunt! Each team searched high and low to find the items on their list. The winning team received Old Navy Flag Ts.

Fun with Friends!

Clarification on Au Pair Education and Extension Requirements

Posted by: swatkins on June 3, 2009

As of 6/3/09

It is vitally important that everyone understands that au pairs wishing to extend their program term for 6, 9, or 12 months must COMPLETE their educational component by the end of their 11th month.  There will be no exceptions to this policy and no requests for extensions will be submitted for ANY au pairs who are completing their classes in their 12th month.

Au Pair Cultural Fair

Posted by: swatkins on May 7, 2009

Our Columbus Au Pairs and Host Families enjoyed the afternoon on Sunday, May 3 at our Cultural Fair. Au Pairs shared information, snacks, crafts, and pride from each of their home countries! From music and salsa in Mexico to Crepes in France, to smiles in Thailand, it was a true cultural exchange!

Thanks to all Au pairs for making it such a success and to all host families for attending!

Today we can Speak Spanish and Catherine and Sheri won't say, "English only!"

Our new host family meets the au pairs

Christina's helping!

Smiles from Thailand!

Fun for everyone!

2009 Au Pair of the Year!

Posted by: swatkins on April 14, 2009

 For the second year in a row, the International Au Pair Association (IAPA) has chosen a Cultural Care au pair as their “Au Pair of the Year” award winner! This March, the 2008 Au Pair of the Year, Cultural Care au pair Linda Falter from Germany, handed over her title to Ricardo Silva de Araújo, a Cultural Care au pair from Brazil. Cultural Care is proud that out of over 50,000 au pairs nationwide, IAPA has chosen Ricardo as their winner for 2009. IAPA is the global trade association for qualified au pair agencies and companies, and, since 2004, their “Au Pair of the Year” award is one way this organization has been able to highlight the incredibly positive impact au pairs have on their host families.

See a special video honoring this wonderful au pair!

http://www.culturalcare.com/aboutus/pressroom/au-pair-of-the-year-2008.aspx