Lori Brust

We will have a make-up meeting for this month.

MARCH 22, 2010 - 7:30 pm

STARBUCKS (ROUTE 110, BY THE MOVIE THEATER)

10 Michael Avenue
Farmingdale, NY 11735-3920
(631) 454-4550

Click here for directions

PLEASE BE SURE TO COME TO SIGN IN. THE FOLLOWING WEEK IS A HOLIDAY FOR ME AND IT WILL BE DIFFICULT TO GET TOGETHER THEN FOR YOU TO COME TO MY HOUSE TO SIGN IN.

The Harlem Magic Masters are coming to Massapequa!

They will play against the teachers of McKenna Elementary School on Thursday March 4, 2010. The doors open at 6 PM and the game starts promptly at 7 PM. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. If you want tickets in advance, call me immediately! We can hold the tickets at the door for you if need be. The game will take place at Massapequa High School Gym on Merrick Road in Massapequa.

There will be tricks, music, a special half-time show and free autographs! It is sure to be a great time! Bring the kids, bring your friends………..

Click the link below for the flyer that has contact and ticket information.

harlem-magic-masters-flyer-outsiders-ccap3

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.

Click here for the website of the Walk in Clinic in Hicksville, NY. They accept AETNA insurance! This is a good place for the au pairs to call first if they need to see a doctor.

Au Pair Disco Cruise: New York City
Saturday, May 15th 7:00 to 9:00 pm
More information to follow soon!

At Cultural Care Au Pair and our parent company EF Education First, we believe in connecting people as citizens of the world, and breaking down barriers of language, culture and geography. Never is that mission more important than in a time of crisis. In order to reach out to the people of Haiti, EF Education First will match up to $100,000 of employee, student and customer donations made through the American Red Cross. We believe this is our responsibility as a company, as educators and as global citizens. We hope you will join us in our effort to aid the millions of Haitians who need our support. Together, we can make a difference.

If you would like to make a donation, please click or paste the following link in your browser:
http://american.redcross.org/efeducationfirst-emp

Our host families spoke, and we listened. The economy had an impact on everyone last year. Many families faced new financial challenges, but in the end, they still needed flexible, affordable childcare. As a result, Cultural Care Au Pair has created several new payment options that help lower the initial cost for welcoming an au pair into their home in the New Year. Along with this exciting new change, we are also keeping our prices the same for the second year in a row!

Now new families applying to Cultural Care Au Pair will have even more payment options available. Not only have we reduced our application fee, we have created several new payment plans for new and repeat families. As a result, they can continue to enjoy all the benefits they have enjoyed from Cultural Care Au Pair in the past - and even more!

Lower application fee, lowered payment plan options
How does it work? Now new families applying to the program will pay a $75 non-refundable application fee -a savings over our previous $350 application fee. Upon finding the right au pair, a $275 selection fee will be due so the au pair can finalize arrangements to come to the U.S. Offering this new payment structure not only helps secure the au pair for the family, it allows the visa process to begin moving forward.

In addition, families now have even more flexibility when it comes to making payments. On our regular payment plan, families now have the ability to pay the program fee 30 days prior to the au pair’s arrival, instead of upon selection of an au pair. This is great for families who select an au pair early, as it provides them with additional time to pay their program fee.

In addition, our Extended Payment Plan option now lowers the initial deposit to $2,395, plus a $200 payment plan enrollment fee. Families have the option of making a payment in three easy installments or they can log into their host family account at their convenience and pay weekly, bi-weekly or monthly - whatever works best for the family, as long as it’s within the Extended Payment Plan timeframe. Repeat and extension families enjoy all these flexible payment benefits as well, with the additional benefit of a waived application fee!

Along with keeping prices the same in 2010, and creating several new, lower payment plan options, we are also decreasing the cost for enrolling in our Extended Payment Plan, making it even easier to afford an au pair in the New Year. For more information about how to utilize these new options, contact me, your local childcare coordinator, and I will be happy to provide you with additional details about Cultural Care Au Pair’s exciting new payment options for 2010!

All Cultural Care Au Pairs spend their first week in the U.S. at our Training School at St. John’s University, Oakdale Campus. Watch Au Pair Answer Mom for details about what the Au Pairs do and learn during their stay at the Au Pair School. Click the link below:

http://tiny.cc/dSPaF

C.W. Post, Long Island, New York has published its Class Schedule for Weekend Classes in the Winter and Early Spring. Please visit the C.W. Post (Au Pair) Website for further details and registration:

http://www.liu.edu/cwis/CWP/aupair/

By attending a Weekend Class at CWPost and Completing the Assignments, an Au Pair will earn Three (3) College Class Credits which can be used toward the U.S. Dept. of State Educational Requirement of the Au Pair Program.

To register by telephone with a credit card please call Anne Schubeck or Victoria DiBenedetto at (516) 299-2359.

For more information, you can email CWPost at aupair@cwpost.liu.edu or fax your application form to CWPost at: 516-299-2363.

The C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University is pleased to provide educational programs that Au Pairs may attend to fulfill their credit requirements. These courses are open to Au Pairs and all interested students. This program provides an opportunity for students to participate in a few options on the C.W. Post Campus. During the winter semester overnight accommodations will be on campus. During the spring semester overnight accommodations will be offered at the East Norwich Inn.

Winter Semester

Highlights of the Harlem Renaissance December 4-6, 2009

Storytelling: As A Way of Life: Exploring Traditions December 11-13, 2009

Growing up in America December 11-13, 2009

History of American Women-American History January 29-31, 2010

TOEFL/ English Preparation Course January 29-31, 2010

Growing up in America January 29-31, 2010

American Indian Cultures and Their Impact on American Society January 29-31, 2010

Highlights of the Harlem Renaissance February 19-21. 2010

History of American Music February 19-21, 2010

American Indian Cultures and Their Impact on American Society February 19-21, 2010

Spring Semester

History of American Music March 5-7, 2010

Growing up in America March 5-7, 2010

American Government, Politics, and Social Issues March 5-7, 2010

Storytelling: As A Way of Life: Exploring Traditions March 19-21, 2010

TOEFL/ English Preparation Course March 19-21, 2010

American Indian Cultures and Their Impact on American Society March 19-21, 2010

History of American Music March 26-28, 2010

Regional Identities - American Culture March 25-28, 2010

American Indian Cultures and Their Impact on American Society

April 16-18, 2010

TOEFL/ English Preparation Course April 16-18, 2010

History of American Music April 16-18, 2010

Celebration of Holidays - American Culture April 16-18, 2010

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 click here