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As a Caregiving Youth, you are very aware of how the life of you and your family can change in an instant. The majority of such changes are beyond your control and yet they impact your life at school and personally, as well as your family. Sometimes, it is easy to think, "What if I did this or that differently?" And, it is sometimes easy to blame yourself.  

Please know that life and health happenings are beyond your control and are not your fault! Know that through this, and with the support of your Family Specialist and others, you will become stronger, plus feel valued and recognized for the important role you hold.



You are not alone in this journey!

Greetings, CYP Friends!

We hope you had a wonderful Valentine’s Day and felt lots of love from the people around you! February was a quiet month for activities, but we have some exciting events coming up that we can’t wait for you to be part of.

First, mark your calendars for Overnight Camp Treasure on March 7th & 8th! This is a fun overnight camp where you can take a break, meet new friends, and enjoy time just for YOU.

Then, don’t miss Caregiving Youth Action Day on March 20th! This is a special virtual event where you can help make a difference by sharing your voice.

For our seniors, we have the Senior Graduation Celebration on May 22nd at Palm Beach State College! Plus, seniors can enter the Senior Essay Writing Contest for a chance to win $750! The first 10 seniors to submit their essays will also receive a $25 gift card.

Don't forget to check out your event photos on our Instagram @caregivingyouthproject! Be sure to keep an eye out for more upcoming activities as well.

Thank you.

Andreana Holliman, BA

Join a Zoom call with Caregiving Youth from across the country!

This is a great opportunity to connect, share experiences, and be part of a national conversation. Talk to your Family Specialist, or click here or the graphic above to register!

"I want to take a moment to shout out the incredible and dedicated staff at Carver Middle School!

Principal Grice personally called me and provided a referral for a student she believed could benefit from being a part of our program. That student, I am happy to say, is our newest Caregiving Youth at the school! Principal Grice goes above and beyond in providing invaluable support and resources to her students; her leadership and dedication make a world of difference.

That support for our program doesn’t stop with just her. From the moment I walk into the school and am greeted by Ms. Wimberly, B. Bostwick, or T. Bostwick, I am shown the kind of energy that exudes throughout the whole school, one of genuine excitement.

I cannot forget my Point of Contact at the school, Ms. Render, who at a moment’s notice is always ready to lend a helping hand, and Behavioral Health Professional, Ms. Sims who will always send me a Caring First referral for a student she believes can benefit from being in our program, and Assistant Principals Mr. Kirkwood and Ms. Bonzil who always make sure to check in on me with a quick “Hello, How are you?, Are you good?, and do you need anything?” when I am at the school. 

Finally, I want to recognize the collective effort in supporting our program. Your commitment to its success underscores its importance, and it means so much to see how deeply you care about our students’ growth and well-being!" - Schmy Jasmin, B.A., Family Specialist

We're here to support you on your caregiving journey. We'll share fun and educational content, inspiring stories from caregivers who are students or people around the world who are trying to help, and reminders that you're not alone. Thank you for all that you do for your family.

"Hello, my name is Farah. I am in the 8th grade and care for my grandma. She has kidney failure and is on dialysis. Taking care of my grandma is one of the most important things to me.

A time when I felt my proudest was after my grandma had dialysis, and while my older sister was cooking, I cleaned the entire house for my grandma so she could rest. It meant a lot to me because I knew it made a difference in how comfortable she would be being able to move around the house. 

Being a caregiver comes with its challenges. There are days when I have plans, or I’m exhausted from school and want to rest, but I know I can’t because my grandma needs me more. She has always been there for me, and now it’s my turn to be there for her. Some of the things I will do when with her are cooking with her, doing her laundry, getting her phone, and taking her to the bathroom. It’s not always easy, but it’s worth it. 

I never knew what dialysis was, how long it takes to get a new kidney, or what my grandma was really dealing with and going through until I became a part of the Caregiving Youth Project. Being able to talk to my Family Specialist and other Caregiving Youth helps me remember that I am not alone."

Keep being awesome, Farah!

Did you know there are more Caregiving Youth in the U.S. than the total student population of New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami-Dade, and Houston combined?

"In the United States, more than 5.4 million children and adolescents under age 18 provide care for family members who are aging or have chronic illness, disability, or other health conditions that require assistance," according to the Social Policy Report titled "The United States Should Recognize and Support Caregiving Youth."

Jose, a member of the Caregiving Youth Project, has been a caregiver for two years. He shared how being a Caregiving Youth has helped him grow and find balance in his life.

“Before, I wasn’t really focused on school. I was always taking care of my mom and grandpa, just checking on them and making sure everything was okay,” Jose explained.

“But AACY helped me figure out how to manage both caregiving and school at the same time.”

Jose talked about how AACY has given him support in ways that made a real difference. “When I was in seventh grade, I didn’t have a computer. AACY gave me one, and after that, my grades started improving,” he said.

He also shared how AACY has helped him feel more confident about his future. “They’ve given me so many gifts—it’s hard to count them all. Mostly, they helped me figure out where to go and not feel stuck anymore. Now, I know how to move forward.”

📺 Watch Jose’s full interview on YouTube.

We’re so grateful to students like Jose for sharing their stories. By speaking up, they not only encourage other kids but also remind them that they’re not alone in their journey.

Caregiving Youth in Texas just got a huge win, thanks to 16-year-old Madeline Grace Asbell, a former Caregiving Youth! On February 14th, Madeline hosted Texas’ first-ever Caregiving Youth Awareness Day after successfully convincing Governor Greg Abbott to issue an official proclamation recognizing the day across the state.

A proclamation is an official statement from the governor that recognizes an important issue or event. By securing this proclamation, Madeline made sure that Caregiving Youth are now officially recognized in Texas—a big step toward more awareness and support!

Madeline’s advocacy didn’t start here. She previously helped get the Austin City Council to issue a proclamation and even pushed for a study on Caregiving Youth in Central Texas. Her goal is to make sure that the hundreds of thousands of kids in Texas who care for family members get the support they need.

Her efforts were featured in a KXAN News interview, where she talked about why this issue matters and what still needs to change. This kind of attention helps more people understand what Caregiving Youth go through every day.

Madeline isn’t stopping now! She’s working with UT Austin, Austin Public Health, and Del Valle ISD to study the needs of Caregiving Youth. She also uses her pageant platform as Royal International Miss Role Model Jr. Teen 2024 to raise awareness. Last fall, her leadership was recognized at the White House, where she was named a finalist for the Girls Leading Change Award.

The American Association of Caregiving Youth (AACY) is so proud of Madeline for using her voice to help Caregiving Youth get the recognition they deserve. She will participate in both our Caregiving Youth Action Day and our upcoming Caregiving Youth Institute Conference!

Watch Madeline’s interview on KXAN News and learn more about her efforts.

Texas Teen Advocates for More Awareness About Young Caregivers

For more information about Madeline, visit www.madelinegraceasbell.com.

Join us and spread the word! To participate in our program, Caregiving Youth Project (CYP) participants must reside in Palm Beach County and can be referred through personal outreach, recommendations from school staff, or other organizations. Our support is provided both at school and in the home.

If you are a Caregiving Youth or know someone who is but they don't live in Palm Beach County, please encourage them to email us at info@aacy.org. We are committed to helping them find resources, no matter where they reside in the United States.

988 Crisis Hotline

We at AACY believe that prioritizing mental health is a year-round endeavor. When you're having a difficult time, it's important to seek help. Thankfully, there is a new phone resource available no matter where you are in the US!: Just dial the 9-8-8 hotline.

This hotline is available 24 hours, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Don't suffer in silence - get help and keep hope alive.