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As school is winding down, we are looking forward to our annual Graduation Celebration for our seniors and their family members! It's been quite a journey with many graduates-to-be who have been with us for 7 years, from grade 6 through 12th! No matter how long you have been in the CYP, we appreciate all that you do for your family. You have made an incredible difference in many lives! And you have learned many things that your peers who are not caregivers have yet to learn. You are awesome!!

Now comes the next big step! Maybe you are progressing from middle school to high school or simply moving up a grade. Or, maybe after graduation, you will begin work, the military, or more education. You are in the exciting process of "adulting" as you implement your choice in life beyond high school. We at AACY will remain here for you and invite you to join our new AACY Alumni Group!

Congratulations to all!!

Greetings, CYP Friends!

We hope you’re enjoying all the excitement and celebrations that come with the final months of school! 🎉 As summer approaches, stay tuned as we’ve got some amazing activities and events coming your way. You won’t want to miss what we have planned! To all of our graduates who RSVP’d for the Graduation Celebration, we look forward to celebrating with you soon! 

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

We’re so excited to honor our amazing graduating Seniors at the Caregiving Youth Graduation Celebration on May 22, 2025! This special event is just for high school seniors in the Caregiving Youth Project who signed up - and we can’t wait to celebrate all that you’ve accomplished.

This celebration is by invitation only for graduates and their families.

If you have any questions, feel free to email Andreana Holliman, Activities Manager, or reach out to your Family Specialist.

You’ve cared, you’ve worked hard, and now it’s time to shine. We are SO proud of you! 💙

Camp Treasure July 2024! More Fun Coming This Summer - 2025!

Remember Camp Treasure last July? Climbing, swimming, laughing, and making new friends - it was the best.

Taking a break from caregiving to just be a kid made a big difference.

More adventures coming this summer. Get ready!

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.

Meet Lourdmia: A Caregiver with a Bright Future

Lourdmia Saint Riel spends much of her day helping her grandmother. She helps her walk up the stairs, stretches her sore legs, and makes sure she takes her medicine. It’s a lot of work, but Lourdmia does it with love, because her grandmother counts on her.

Even though it can be hard, Lourdmia is not alone. Through AACY’s Caregiving Youth Project, she found people who understand her. Her mentors are there to listen, and fun activities like canoeing and camping have helped her try new things. She’s made new friends, laughed a lot, and had fun just being a kid.

AACY has become a special place for Lourdmia. It’s a space where she can be herself, grow, and enjoy new experiences. It’s not just about support. It’s about learning, exploring, and feeling proud of who she is.

Lourdmia’s story shows how important it is for Caregiving Youth to get the help and chances they need to grow and shine.

Lourdmia is just like you. She’s caregiving, learning, and finding her way, one day at a time. All of you are doing something really important, and we’re so proud to be here to support you. Watch Lourdmia's Story on YouTube!

Keep being awesome, Lourdmia!

To All Caregiving Youth:

You are stronger than you realize. Every day, you balance caring for your loved ones and being a student. It’s a lot to take on, but it’s shaping you into someone truly incredible.

It’s okay to feel challenged. You’re learning life skills that many people your age may never understand. Even on the toughest days, know that you’re growing, becoming more resilient, and learning how to handle tough situations with grace.

We are so honored to support you through the Caregiving Youth Project. You are part of a community that understands what you’re going through and believes in your strength.

Take pride in all you do, but don’t forget to take time for yourself too. Your future is bright, and you are capable of amazing things.

You’ve got this!

We have some exciting news to share with all of you! A brand-new study has just been published, and it’s all about the amazing work that YOU - our Caregiving Youth - do every day. This study, led by researchers Leiha Edmonds and Dr. Elizabeth Olson from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, looks at how grandchildren, like many of you, care for their aging family members.

The study, titled "I care for my grandma because she’s one of my best friends: Intergenerational caregiving and the everyday geographies of aging in Palm Beach County, Florida," explores the experiences of grandchildren who care for their grandparents. It highlights how important your role is, even though you might not always get the support you need.

Over the past three years, Leiha Edmonds and Dr. Olson worked closely with AACY and many of you in the Caregiving Youth Project. They used creative ways, like interviews and mapping, to better understand your everyday lives as Caregiving Youth. This study helps everyone understand how much you give every day and how much you are shaping your families.

In the words of Leiha Edmonds, “One of the most meaningful parts of getting my PhD has been working with the American Association of Caregiving Youth. For the past three years, we’ve focused on the everyday lives of Caregiving Youth, bringing together creative mapping and interviews.”

This research will help people across the United States and even around the world better understand the challenges you face as Caregiving Youth. It will also help leaders and organizations know where to provide more support to help you and other young caregivers like you.

We can’t thank all of you enough for being part of this study. Your voices matter, and this research will help make sure everyone knows just how important your role is. We are so proud of the strength and resilience you show every day!

Keep being amazing, and thank you for helping others understand the life of a Caregiving Youth!

As the new documentary Caregiving gets ready to premiere, caregivers across the country have a special opportunity to share their stories with the world. It would be amazing to see some voices from Caregiving Youth - and maybe even your parents - featured!

Important: Please don’t share personal details, and be sure to check with your parent or guardian before posting anything online.

Through the We Are Well Beings Storywall, caregivers of all ages can post photos, videos, or messages about their caregiving journey on Instagram or TikTok. You can also email your story to info@wellbeings.org.

Your story might be featured on the Storywall, a digital space that helps build community, spread hope, and show the strength of caregivers everywhere.

If you choose to share, use these hashtags:

#WellBeings #ShareYourCaregivingStory #CaregivingYouth #KidsAreCaregiversToo

Don’t forget to include #CaregivingYouth and #KidsAreCaregiversToo so your voice becomes part of the national conversation. We'll be on the lookout and also share what you post!

🎬 Caregiving starts streaming on PBS.org, wellbeings.org, and the PBS app on Tuesday, May 27, 2025

📺 It airs on PBS on June 24 at 9/8c

We are so proud of all that you do. If you’re ready to tell your story, and have permission from a parent or guardian, this could be your moment!

"I would like to honor Ms. Jessica Miller, a School Behavior Health Professional from Palm Springs Middle School, for her ongoing dedication to supporting the American Association of Caregiving Youth. Ms. Miller is well-rounded and takes time out of her day to assist me with all the daily tasks.

She assists CYP students during the skills building groups, camp treasure coordination, and monthly lunch and learns, providing support to students when needed and educating staff about the CYP. 

In addition, she makes time throughout her day to stop what she is doing to provide guidance and a comfortable space for our students to meet. Ms. Miller's passion for helping, selflessness, and humor are by far unmatched. She dedicates additional time outside the school setting and Coaches step/dance, softball, and track. Ms. Miller is well-rounded, patient, and responsive. Her perseverance is such an inspiration all while keeping a smile on her face. I applaud her for her hard work and commitment to supporting the mission of CYP." - Richane Etienne, MSW, RCSWI, Assistant Director - North Team, CYP Family Specialist

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.