News, Events, Press

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Ashley Umbro
Marketing Manager
AuPairCare
Phone:  415-434-5655
Email: aumbro@intraxinc.com
www.aupaircare.com

IN THE ECONOMIC DOWNTURN, AUPAIRCARE LIVE-IN CHILDCARE DOES ITS PART TO PROVIDE FAMILIES WITH AFFORDABLE CHILDCARE

 Au Pair Simona from Romania named this year’s “Ultimate Au Pair”

San Francisco, CA – February 19, 2010 – AuPairCare, the recognized leader in live-in au pair childcare, today announced that they will maintain last year’s prices to accommodate families across the country seeking affordable childcare.

Heidi Woehl, vice president of AuPairCare says, “The economic downturn has forced the closure of daycare centers across the country and sent stay-at-home parents back to work, making it more difficult for families to find dependable care when they need it most. It is more important than ever that AuPairCare retain its low rates in this economic climate and provide parents with top-notch live-in childcare.”

AuPairCare offers families up to 45 hours of in-home childcare for only $340 per week or $7.50 per hour. This cost is the same regardless of the number of children in a family, making it a great option for larger families.

Families can opt to use the Family Friendly Payment Plan and spread the cost of childcare over an extended period while making low monthly payments. AuPairCare also offers a “Multiples discount” for families with twins and triplets and a variety of discounts for families currently hosting au pairs who wish to continue for an additional program year.

AuPairCare realizes that affordable childcare is important to parents but that their children’s safety is of the utmost importance. Therefore AuPairCare thoroughly screens and interviews all au pairs to ensure they have the childcare experience and skills to be accepted into the au pair program. AuPairCare also completes a rigorous background check of every au pair including psychometric testing and reference checks. Upon arrival au pairs undergo an intensive training course where they receive hands-on professional training in CPR and First Aid from the American Heart Association.

 “It is very important to us that despite the current economic situation, children are well cared for.  That’s why we want to make it affordable and easy to get the childcare families need. With AuPairCare, you can welcome an au pair into your home in just six weeks so that you have childcare when you need it.” says Heidi Woehl.

Families love the au pair program so much that each year they submit essays nominating their au pairs for the “Ultimate Au Pair Award”.  AuPairCare receives hundreds of nominations from families each year and recently announced this year’s winner, Simona from Romania. Simona provides a tremendous amount of support to the two boys she cares for and is a great example of the positive impact the au pair program can have on a family.

Families interested in learning more about the au pair program can call 1-800-428-7247 or visit www.aupaircare.com for additional information on the AuPairCare Au Pair program.

About AuPairCare

AuPairCare is a leading au pair agency in the United States providing live-in au pair childcare. Designated by the U.S. Department of State as an official au pair agency since 1989, AuPairCare has successfully placed over 40,000 au pairs from more than 40 countries with caring American families.

St. Louis, MO – February 21, 2010 – AuPairCare, www.aupaircare.com, a leading au pair placement agency, is teaming up with Build-A-Bear Workshop stores nationwide for their second annual Share-A-Bear campaign which invites au pairs to give back to their local communities by making a bear to be donated to a local children’s charity.

Last year, AuPairCare held over 100 events nationwide donating 1800 furry friends to over 100 local charities.  Heidi Woehl, VP of AuPairCare, says “AuPairCare is present in many of same areas as Build-A-Bear Workshop stores and their motto that “a bear hug is understood in any language” is very much in-line with the role an au pair can play in the life of a child and host family. We are very excited about our continued partnership and the opportunity for our au pairs who make a difference in the lives of the children they care for, to extend the spirit of international friendship through these bears to other children in their area.”

St. Louis area au pairs will hold their party on February 21^st at the Galleria’s Build-A-Bear Workshop. Led by AuPairCare Area Director, Ginny Kraus, over 15 au pairs from 11 different countries will stuff and name teddy bears while also creating individual cards wishing the recipient of their bear good wishes in their own language. These special international bears will then be donated to the children of Ronald McDonald House in St. Louis.

About AuPairCare

In 1989, AuPairCare, www.aupaircare.com, became one of the first agencies designated by the U.S. Department of State to legally sponsor au pairs to come to the United States. We have successfully placed more than 30,000 au pairs across the U.S. Our au pairs come from over 40 countries and have been fully screened by our overseas representatives. They all have previous childcare experience, speak English, attend a four-day AuPairCare training program, and have a sincere interest in living with an American family and providing quality childcare for twelve months.

About Ronald McDonald House

Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis provides a "home away from home" for families and their seriously ill or injured children who travel far to receive treatment at hospitals, and supports children's immunization and dental programs. 

About Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc.

Founded in St. Louis in 1997, Build-A-Bear Workshop is the leader in interactive retail. The Company currently operates more than 400 Build-A-Bear Workshop stores worldwide. For more information, call 888.560.BEAR (2327) or visit www.buildabear.com.

Vertical Response's revolutionary email marketing technology makes it easy for AuPairCare to stay in touch with customers from around the world and bring affordable live-in childcare to American families. It is important for AuPairCare to be able to bridge continental time differences so they can bring new cultures, languages and traditions to families across the U.S through international au pairs.

VerticalResponse turned AuPairCare's mission of matching families with exceptional au pairs into a reality. With the help of VerticalResponse email marketing, AuPairCare has been able to grow its business. The number of participating host families has increased by a full 30 percent, and expanded the network of potential au pair caregivers by an additional 30 percent. Together AuPairCare and VerticalResponse are helping families in the United States and international au pairs find the best match for live-in childcare.

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While delivering teddy bears to the pediatric wing at William Beaumont hospital for a charity campaign, Jeannine Lambrecht crossed paths with one inspirational family in a seemingly destined set of circumstances. The charity campaign that brought her to the hospital was sponsored by AuPairCare and Build-a-Bear Workshop, who teamed up to create the Share-A-Bear™ campaign where au pairs nationwide got together to create personalized teddy bears. The bears were then donated to children's hospitals all over the country.

As Ms. Lambrecht carried the au pair-made teddy bears into William Beaumont, she was recognized by a mother passing by with her daughter. The woman, Lori Koran of Troy, MI and her daughter Ingrid saw the familiar AuPairCare logo on the boxes Lambrecht was using to transport the bears and the three engaged in conversation. As it turned out, both of their families had hosted Czech au pairs in 2006 using AuPairCare's live-in childcare services. Furthermore, Lambrecht's son and Lori's daughter were only a week apart in age.

Lori and Ingrid were at William Beaumont for one of Ingrid's routine treatments the brave young girl had been diagnosed with a tissue cancer in 2007.

"This was one of those times when I just know things happen for a reason," said Ms. Lambrecht. "For me to bump into this little girl fighting cancer with her Mom, who I knew from the au pair program a couple years ago and for her to now be one of the children my au pair group intended these bears for was just surreal."

After learning of her condition, Ingrid appealed to the Make-a-Wish foundation with one of her biggest desires: to be reunited with her former au pair, Pavla. Fortunately her wish was granted and the whole family was sent to the Czech Republic to visit Pavla in 2008. After talking with Lori and Koran, Ms. Lambrecht proceeded inside the hospital to drop off the teddy bears. She was so touched by the Koran's story, and the sheer coincidence of their parallel situations that now differ markedly, that she asked the nurses to set aside one of the teddy bears made by a Czech au pair, and save it for Koran's next visit.

"To find out that her 'make a wish' was to go to Czech and visit their past Au Pair, Pavla made me realize what an impact loving an au pair can have on a child and their family," marveled Ms. Lambrecht. "So it kind of came full circle—we made so many sick children happy with the bears and one of them had connections to the very program that made this all happen."

The Koran family recently returned to the pediatric care for a routine visit and Ingrid was united with her Czech Share-a-Bear. The nurses at the hospital also saved a teddy bear for Ingrid's sister who sits with her during her chemo sessions. Ms. Lambrecht has since kept in touch with the Korans through periodic phone calls. A charity walk for childhood cancer is set to take place in September, according to Lori Koran. Ms. Lambrecht plans on organizing an AuPairCare team to take part in the walk.

In Nassau County, New York a walkathon is organized to help raise money for the American Red Cross. The non-profit provides disaster relief not only in the US, but world wide, and this year AuPairCare was present to help raise money for a worthy cause.

The Cross Walk was very much a "youth-centered" event, with members of various high school Red Cross clubs walking and providing support. It also had an international flavor thanks to the participation of AuPairCare, a live-in childcare service that jumped at the opportunity to form a team and help the Nassau Red Cross.

With caregivers from all over the world," said Ann Koster, area director for AuPairCare, "we know just how much great work the Red Cross does not only here, but around the world.

AuPairCare welcomes new local area director, Michelle Longey, who puts her previous cultural exchange experience to good use when working with host families and international au pairs. Knowing the benefit of sharing languages and cultures at a young age, plus the need for affordable childcare for busy families, Michelle molds the two.

"I have always been interested in cultural exchange and international relationships," said Longey during an interview in her home. "Having an au pair is a wonderful mix of cultural exchange and child care for families. I like meeting the host families and also meeting with the au pairs once a month at our social events. It provides an excellent opportunity to work from home, work for an amazing company, and work with and meet wonderful families and au pairs."

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Since 27-year-old Saori Hayakawa moved from Tokyo, Japan to Highland Township last February, she has joined a crochet club at a local coffee shop, sang in a barbershop choir and participated in the animé club at Highland Township Public Library.

But between her new-found hobbies, Saori has become a part of another family – the Roemers on Hickory Ridge Road – as an au pair to their three children, Kaitlin, 5, Audrey, 4, and Brendan, 2.

Kim Roemer decided to explore the au pair program through AuPairCare, a national au pair agency, when she wanted to go back to work.

"I was caring for the kids and we decided it was time for me to go back to work," Kim said. "My son was really young and I was concerned with him not being able to go out of the house and not being in his element. I figured if I wasn't going to be there all the time, I wanted them to learn something different and unique that I wouldn't be able to teach them."

After extensively searching for the right candidate, Kim and her husband, Brian, asked Saori to be their live-in au pair—and they're happy she's chosen to stay another year.

"Our top priority was to find somebody that would fit well with our family and would be respectful but also be themselves while having their own life and to share that with us."

"It's been all of the above. She's a great family member and contributor. When I'm working, it makes me feel a lot better," Kim said. "She feels very invested in our kids' future because she's a part of our family."

Before becoming an au pair, Saori worked in an office in Japan and wanted to do something different with her life.

"I didn't know what an au pair was before I came here from Japan," Saori said. "Before I never thought I liked kids, and I found myself really liking kids."

During a typical day, Saori cares for the children by transporting the two girls to school and even volunteering there, cooking, cleaning and teaching the kids Japanese songs, dances and crafts, such as origami.

Brian said just being able to relax and feel confident that his children are cared for during the work day has helped make the experience even more worthwhile. "She does a lot of fun things with the kids as far as planning activities for them," he said. "She loves to get out and I really think she's getting the full experience."

After one year with the Roemer family, Saori said her life has changed for the better.

"The Roemers, especially Kim, my house mother, had a lot in common with me," Saori said. "They inspired me more than I expected.  "I am now in a chorus; I'm doing a lot of volunteering by myself. Kim drove me to do it and her influence is meaningful."

Saori will be required to end her au pair position in February in 2009 after a two-year stay, but she plans to stay in the United States to possibly teach English to Japanese children or to promote the au pair program to women in other foreign countries.

"The best thing I like is the American people," Saori said. "They are so expressive, emotional, even the kids are very different. In Japan, we are very straight in school and everyone has to do the same thing and follow the rules, but here they expect them to be free and to exceed in their imaginations and their possibilities."

According to AuPairCare's web site, more than 30,000 au pairs from 40 countries have been placed with American families since 1989. On average, AuPairCare services cost $15,000 per year. Each week, the au pair is paid $300 for up to 45 hours of work.

In January, Saori was awarded the "Ultimate Au Pair" award from AuPairCare after being nominated by the Roemer family. The award recognizes the au pair that goes above and beyond the day-to-day responsibilities of an au pair to embrace the spirit of cultural exchange while making lasting contributions to their host family and community.

"The hardest thing is that she won't always be here, but she'll always be part of our life," Kim said. "We found a Japanese extension to the Roemer family."
 

AuPairCare teamed up with Build-A-Bear Workshop® stores across the country to hold a nationwide charity campaign called "Share-A-Bear". Share-A-Bear invites au pairs to give back to their local communities by building and accessorizing personalized bears and donating them to local children's charities. The event was a tremendous success. 158 Area Directors held events nationwide and donated 1800 furry friends to over 100 local charities!

In the past, AuPairCare's monthly au pair activities have involved charitable giving, however, this is the first time AuPairCare has launched a nationwide charitable campaign. Read on for highlights of Share-A-Bear events across the country.
 

Over 25 au pairs showed support for the organization Birthday Blessings by creating, outfitting, and personalizing very special Build-A-Bear animals to donate to bring birthday joy to homeless children who live in shelters in and around the Charlotte area. The Charlotte AuPairCare au pairs were thankful for the opportunity to give back to their community and the good time that they shared with other au pairs while making a difference in the lives of children in need.

Once the au pairs created their bears from Build-A-Bear, they traveled to the Birthday Blessings location with Area Directors, Laura True and Beth Gigliotti. Birthday Blessings, a charitable non-profit organization, operates on the belief that every child's life deserves to be celebrated, regardless of circumstance. Au pairs volunteered their time preparing the donations for children in need, wrapping their donated Build-A-Bears with additional toys to be delivered to a homeless child on their birthday, and gathering essential infant care supplies into laundry baskets. The Blessing Baskets were then given to parents of babies and young toddlers in need. These baskets not only brought happiness and relief to parents, but also provided much-needed supplies for the care of their baby, giving each child a healthier and more positive start to life.
 

"What a wonderful day we had stuffing, decorating and personalizing our ten bears to be donated to Women and Children's Hospital of Buffalo, NY.

"I was so proud of all the au pairs who participated and took the time to pass along some 'cheer' to a child in the hospital. Each of the girls named their bear, included a personal message, listed their country and signed their name on the back of the bears' birth certificates.

"The Build-A-Bear staff was fantastic. They were so helpful and took great pleasure in hosting our group. Truth be told, I had a GREAT time stuffing my own bear!!! AuPairCare and Build-A-Bear… what a great combination!"