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As we head into the new school year, I want you to remember that being a caregiver is only part of who you are. You are also students, friends, leaders, and dreamers. Every day, you are showing strength, kindness, and the ability to make a difference in the lives of others.

We encourage you to get involved in all that the Caregiving Youth Project has to offer. The goal is to give you activities, workshops, chances to make friends with other Caregiving Youth, and learning experiences that build confidence and help you discover your strengths.

I look forward to everything this year will bring and to celebrating your successes together.

Greetings, CYP Friends!

We kicked off the month with an awesome pool party in Belle Glades! It was the perfect day filled with fun in the sun, delicious food, outdoor games, and plenty of laughter. You also started a brand-new school year. What an exciting time! I hope your first weeks back have been full of energy and success.

To wrap up the month, we had an incredible time at Bowling for Bread, thanks to Boca Helping Hands. You enjoyed bowling, tasty food, raffles, and more! What a way to close out August.

Here’s to a strong, positive, and successful start to the school year!

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 had a blast at Bowling for Bread, hosted by Boca Helping Hands! From strikes at Lucky Strike Boca Raton to raffles, good food, and plenty of laughter with friends, it was a day full of smiles and community spirit.

A big thank-you to Boca Helping Hands for inviting us and making the event so memorable!

We had a wonderful day at the Pioneer Park Aquatic Center in Belle Glade! Students enjoyed swimming, outdoor games, lunch, and plenty of social time with friends.

It was a day full of fun in the sun and great memories to carry into the new school year.

We had an inspiring day at the Team Leadership Summer Program, sponsored by the Fuller Center! Students toured Palm Beach State College’s Lake Worth campus, explored future opportunities, and ended the day with some well-deserved fun at Astro Skate.

A huge thank-you to the Fuller Center for making this empowering and fun-filled experience possible!

This workshop was dedicated to supporting students who are caregivers, helping them take an exciting step toward their future. They spent the day preparing for college, gaining helpful tips and resources, and sharing lunch together while building confidence for what’s ahead.

We’re proud of their dedication and drive as they get ready for this next chapter. A big thank-you to Path to College for making this possible!

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.

This summer, 7th-grade student Genevieve Geneya was nominated for the Take Stock in Children scholarship program, an incredible opportunity for high-achieving middle school students who dream of going to college.

Genevieve worked diligently to prepare and submit all required materials, including a detailed application and an in-person interview alongside her mother.

We’re thrilled to share that she was accepted!

Upon successfully completing the program in 12th grade, Genevieve will receive two years of paid tuition at any Florida college or university. Her ambitious plan is to complete her first two years of college while still in high school, then use the scholarship to fund the final two years of her undergraduate degree.

Her goal? To become a gynecologist/obstetrician and make a difference in women's health.

We are so proud! Our caregiving students truly dream big!

"August is always a busy and energizing month for us at the American Association of Caregiving Youth (AACY)! This time of year, we host our annual Family Picnic, deliver essential school supplies to our students, and reconnect with school partners as we prepare for the fast-paced year ahead.

I currently support four middle schools and am fortunate to have strong relationships with our key contacts at each campus.

This week, I was warmly welcomed back by:

• Ms. Gathers – Lake Worth Middle School
• Ms. Maggie Sanon – Tradewinds Middle School
• Ms. Penni Lee – Congress Middle School
• Ms. Karley Sarcone – Omni Middle School

Together, we finalized the schedules for our annual Eligibility Screening Process, which helps us identify and support students who are assisting with caregiving responsibilities at home.

We're excited to continue our important work this school year and deeply appreciate the partnership of each school in making a difference for caregiving youth." - Mary Craumer, MSW, AACY Family Specialist

Charlie and A.J. Poole started helping care for their grandmother when they were kids. Thanks to the opportunities provided by AACY, that experience inspired them to speak up for other students who care for family members.

Now, their journey with AACY is part of a national campaign for Caregiving, a new PBS documentary executive-produced by Bradley Cooper. The campaign is being shared in schools and online to let kids who are caregivers know they are not alone and to help start conversations with others who can support them.

👉 Watch the video here

This August, Dr. Connie, Founder of AACY, attended the 3rd Annual Hidden Helpers Summit at Walt Disney World in Orlando.

Hidden Helpers are kids and teens who help care for a parent or family member who is a wounded, ill, or injured service member or veteran. At the Summit, Hidden Helpers and their families from across the country came together for three days of connection, learning, and fun at the “most magical place on Earth.”

Why does this matter? Because it shows that more and more people across the country are starting to notice the important role young caregivers play. By being part of this national event, AACY is helping make sure your voices are heard and that support for caregiving kids continues to grow.

The American Association of Caregiving Youth (AACY) was recently featured in Brain & Life magazine’s article, “Sibling Caregivers Are Supporting Brothers and Sisters Through Chronic Conditions.”

The article talks about the important role kids and teens play when caring for their brothers and sisters who live with health challenges. It includes thoughts from Dr. Connie Siskowski and Amoy Gordon from AACY, as well as stories from other families across the country.

We are proud to be part of this national conversation that shines a light on sibling caregivers. It helps more people understand both the challenges and the strengths that come with caring for a brother or sister.

📖 Read the article here

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.