With the exception of Seattle, the filming of Out of Office had mostly taken us to small towns and rural locations like Kirkland, WA, McMinnville, OR, and Belknap Springs, OR. However, for Episode 4, we ventured to a city famous for its food scene, quirky bridges, and as the birthplace of The Simpsons creator, Matt Groening. That’s right—Portland, Oregon.
When Area Director Kirstin Kjolsing invited us to Portland to meet a family participating in our AuPairCare program, my first thought was: Voodoo Doughnuts. I’d visited Portland a few times in my 20s, and I have vivid memories of Voodoo’s wild selection of brightly decorated, cartoonishly creative donuts (or as they spell it, "doughnuts"). Turns out, Voodoo was the perfect spot to grab a sweet treat and chat with Kirstin.
As we dove into our doughnuts, Kirstin’s passion for the AuPairCare program shone through. “I love the au pair program because it brings cultural diversity to families and to au pairs,” she explained during our conversation. “The families get to experience the culture of the au pair, and the au pairs get to experience life here in Portland.” Her enthusiasm was contagious as she told us about her five years as an area director and how much she enjoys bringing au pairs and host families together.
After our doughnut fix, we hopped across town to meet the Neukam family. They warmly welcomed us into their home and introduced us to Yessi, their au pair from Bogotá, Colombia. Yessi has been with the Neukams for over a year, and the bond she shares with their three kids was immediately obvious. She spoke fondly of how she’s integrated into both the family and the local community.
The Neukams were equally thrilled with their experience. "Maria, our youngest, probably won’t even remember life before Yessi," they joked. Throughout our day with the Neukams, it became clear that the AuPairCare program had enriched their lives in ways they couldn’t have anticipated. From sharing Colombian meals together to learning bits of Spanish from Yessi, it became clear this was about so much more than just child care. "We like to cook together," Yessi mentioned. "And the kids, they love my music!"
As the day came to a close, it was time to say goodbye to the Neukams and Yessi. Meeting families like theirs is always a highlight, reminding us of the profound impact these cultural exchange programs have on both sides. And yes, we may have made one last stop at Voodoo to grab doughnuts for the road.
Portland gave us an unforgettable mix of culture, connection, and, of course, donuts. 🍩
We can't wait for you to see it all unfold in Episode 4!
Written by Nick Testa
