When I'm not writing, I work for Cultural Care Au Pair as a Local Childcare Coordinator. Cultural Care Au Pair is a leader in educational cultural exchange for childcare. 

Two years ago, Cultural Care Au Pair opened an office in Russia. One year later, we welcomed our very first Russian au pairs to the United States. These au pairs made an indelible mark on their adoptive communities and enriched the lives of their host families. Impressed by their compassion for children and their commitment to the au pair program, we, at Cultural Care, wanted to impact the lives of their community in return. Our partnership with Orphanage #63, located two hours outside of Moscow, is the first of many Kids First partnerships making a difference in the lives of young children around the world.

There are over three quarters of a million orphans in Russia. These children have little chance of leading successful lives without outside help. Although the adoption rate of Russian orphans has increased over the past several years, most adoptive parents seek infants and toddlers. Older children are often left behind to spend their entire adolescence in an orphanage. Every year, nearly 15,000 of these children are released from orphanages as they reach adulthood at the age of 18. They enter the Russian community lacking the skills they need to successfully support themselves. Statistically, 50% of these young adults fall into a high risk category, predicting a life of drugs, crime, or prostitution. What we do today for the children of Orphanage #63 will make a difference in their tomorrow.

The children of Orphanage #63 are older, ranging in age between 10 and 17 years old, and have very little hope of being adopted. The 56 children who call this orphanage home have come to rely upon one another as family, and on the orphanage to meet their basic needs. While the staff provides them with shelter, food, and clothing, the orphanage has limited resources and seeks the support of donors to help meet the orphanage's basic operational needs. Donor funded educational and vocational programs help these young adults as they enter the workforce. Our efforts will support the upkeep of Orphanage #63's facilities and aide in the development of programs to help these young people transition into life outside of the orphanage. By educating these young adults, teaching them English, computer, and trade skills, we hope to change the statistics and give these children the opportunity for a brighter future.

Kids First will raise money through a variety of fundraising projects and events locally and nationally, including the sales of holiday note cards and of a CD of international children's songs performed by our own talented Cultural Care au pairs. Your support of these projects will make an immeasurable impact on the lives of the children of Orphanage #63. Though a sea divides us, the initiative to raise money and support the children and staff at Orphanage #63 bridges us together in a shared desire to improve the lives of children throughout the world.