Dunwoody Au Pair wins National Award

I am so proud to announce that Grace Naude has won third place nationally in the Au Pair in America Community Service Awards for 2017. She is the au pair of Brandie and Matt Szuda of Dunwoody. Please read below all she has done with her time while she has been in our area.

Cindy Hallen
Sr. Community Counselor

My name is Grace Naude. I’m proudly South African and currently living in Dunwoody, Georgia.

My favorite part of living in the USA, specifically in Atlanta, is my church, Passion City Church. We are: For God. For People. For the City. For the World. I truly believe that we are here to be an extension of God’s love, to go out and love the world. Here in America, what better way to do that than where I can have fun, serve my community and explore this country!

In April 2016 is when it all started…

Firefly Run & Paint Wars
I started my very first adventure in Atlanta by volunteering at the 5K Firefly Run in Piedmont Park (14 May 2016). The sun had set, glow sticks were out and we had you covered with water and some encouragement! We were the hands and feet behind the scenes, helping everyone set up and clean up.

Next, I thought I’d try Paint Wars 2016! After helping hundreds of people check in and get their gear, it was time to get messy with the rest of them!

Advocates for World Health (27 May 2016)
I met some amazing people at Advocates of World Heath in Tampa, Florida. Their mission is to collect donated medical supplies of all sorts and distribute them to Third World countries in need.

Our job: We had to sort through boxes and boxes filled with the most incredible medical gear that I have ever seen, to trash expired items and sort the ones we can use. We had so much fun learning about the great need in some places as well as a newfound respect for those in the medical field!

Passion City Church, Atlanta, GA
My second home, and the place I spend the most of my time other than work, is Passion City Church. These people have become like family to me, and I am so blessed to be a part of this house.

In March 2016, I started my first day as a Door Holder (volunteer) at Passion City Church (PCC). After a full day of training and a conference later, I was adopted into the PCC family. Being a Door Holder allows me to serve at church every other Sunday in various areas ranging from actually holding a door for guests to come inside, greeting on the shuttles to the church, finding you a seat and looking after your little ones while you enjoy the message. It has been amazing seeing God’s work firsthand at church and in the city as well as being a part of making some of it happen.

Covenant House, Atlanta (16 April 2016)
Covenant House is a safe house for homeless kids and teens. Here they can feel safe, learn life skills, attend school and have a hopeful future. I met these guys on an outreach through PCC’s College Group. Our mission: To love them!

We went in there with barbecue supplies, a football, a volleyball and a soccer ball at the ready. Put it all together and you’ll have a blast. We had a great time getting to know these kids. Playing my very first game of football with them, eating with them and learning from them was an incredibly humbling experience.

Vacation Bible School (VBS) at Dunwoody Baptist Church (13–16 June 2016)
What do I do when my host kids are at summer school? I join them of course! I spent a week (that flew by so quickly) leading my group of 2nd graders in a fun-filled week packed with Praise & Worship, arts & crafts, Bible study, lunch time and much, much more. Feeling like a kid again I got to help the church and the kids and grow myself in this amazing experience that I will definitely be doing again this year!

Jars of Clay Church, Downtown Atlanta (14 April 2016)
Jars of Clay Church makes such an incredible impact on the city of Atlanta. They feed the homeless, supply baby supplies to moms who can’t afford any, provide a space for the homeless to access the internet and have access to a shower, clean clothes and a haircut when going to a job interview.

They asked for help cleaning up a spare room they bought and transform it into a new space for the kids’ ministry. The Singles Group at Dunwoody Baptist Church took up the challenge. We got down and dirty with cleaning, clearing out the space and some painting. Not too bad for a day’s work. ”

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