Meet Local Coordinators, Joe and Rhonda Colley in Northern VA
Local Childcare Coordinators, Rhonda and Joe Colley
Rhonda Colley joined Cultural Care Au Pair in August of 2006. After 20 years in marketing and business development, and over 30 years as a Mom, Rhonda found the opportunity with Cultural Care Au Pair to blend her professional and personal experiences by becoming a Local Childcare Coordinator (LCC) She soon realized that being an LCC was rewarding in ways that no other position she has had in her career. She understands the high level of importance families have on finding quality childcare. She listens to families to understand their needs and provides them with thorough information about the au pair program and how we can help them resolve their childcare needs. This year, Rhonda was honored to be included on Cultural Care’s Sales Team Leaders. In April 2009, at our National Meeting, she was awarded the Spirit of Cultural Care Regional Award for going above and beyond the call of duty with her host families and au pairs, working to ensure a successful year for everyone.
In addition to working with local families and their au pairs in the Northern Virgina and DC area, Rhonda, works with families throughout the United States to assist them with their specific childcare needs. She has assisted single parent families, families of multiples, families with children with special needs, and non traditional families to help them find the best au pair candidates to suit their family dynamics.
Rhonda also enjoys planning and creating fun au pair gatherings each month. Each year, she plans special events to expose her au pairs to American traditions. In February, she holds an international dinner at her home to celebrate Valentines’ Day. In March she and her au pairs attend the St Patrick’s Day parade in DC. Each summer, she has back yard barbecues at her home and each September, she plans a trip to Rehoboth Beach including a fun day on the beach, Thrashers French Fries, and Grotto’s Pizza. Last December, she and her au pairs went Christmas Caroling in Georgetown following an gift exchange and party hosted by one of the Host Families. She has learned how important her role as an LCC is to her au pairs and makes a point of being supportive to them in their year away from their families.
In September of 2008, Rhonda’s husband Joe, became an LCC too and works part time alongside with Rhonda. In addition to his position as an LCC, he works as an accountant for an Arlington Country Club. He and Rhonda have raised 3 daughters in the Arlington VA, two who are married and have blessed them with 6 wonderful grandchildren, and one daughter who is living in Bolivia serving as the Assistant Director of a non profit organization called Sustainable Bolivia. Joe and Rhonda fully understand the perspective that au pairs’ families have when their sons and daughters leave home for a year to be au pairs in the United States. As parents of grown children, they approach their roles as Local Childcare Coordinator with the full understanding of the the needs of the families as well as the journeys these young men and women are taking in a country far from home . When meeting with families, Rhonda and Joe emphasize the importance of embracing their au pair as a member of their family and sharing each others cultures with one another.
One of the best rewards Joe and Rhonda have experienced as LCCs has been visiting some of their former au pairs in their home countries including France, Germany, Czech Republic, and Switzerland. This year they will return to Germany and have hopes to reunite with over 20 former German au pairs while they are there.