View as Webpage

Before we can blink an eye, this school year will be over! Many of you will be graduating...some from 8th grade and others from high school!

Both events are called a rite of passage - something that you earn and then become entitled to!              

March also brings the first day of Spring - a time of new beginnings and renewal.

In preparation for your future, and perhaps some fears as the next chapter of your life begins, know that you and your work as a family caregiver, a Caregiving Youth, have great value!

We at AACY celebrate you and stand by you for your todays and tomorrows! 

Greetings, CYP Friends!

In February, we connected with you and your family through a virtual activity focused on Mental Wellness and Stress Management. It was a chance to learn practical ways to handle stress, ask questions, and talk openly in a supportive space.

We’re glad so many of you joined the conversation. Your participation makes these events meaningful.

There’s a lot more ahead this spring - including more activities, opportunities to connect, and of course, our famous Camp Treasure. Stay tuned for updates from your Family Specialist about what’s coming next.

We’re looking forward to seeing you.

Keep shining. The world needs your light.

Warmly,

The Caregiving Youth Project Team

Students from Tradewinds Middle School, Pahokee Middle School, Osceola Creek Middle School, Boynton Beach High School, Village Academy High School, Santaluces Community High School, South Tech Academy, Wellington High School, Lake Worth Middle School, Congress Middle School, Lake Shore Middle School, Christa McAuliffe Middle School, and Okeeheelee Middle School joined together for Trivia Night: Mental Wellness, hosted by Ruth & Norman Rales Jewish Family Services.

The Caregiving Youth Project team helped bring everyone together for a virtual evening focused on mental wellness and stress management. Andrea and Tzippi from Jewish Family Services created a space where students could learn helpful tools, share ideas, and have fun at the same time.

As the night went on, the energy in the Zoom room grew. Students were eager to answer questions and participate. By the end of the event, microphones were up, and everyone was ready to jump in. The Jeopardy-style trivia game was a highlight and made learning about stress and mental health interactive and exciting.

Caregiving Youth carry real responsibilities at home. Balancing school, family caregiving, and personal life can feel overwhelming at times. Events like this help students connect with others who understand what their daily lives are like.

When you meet other students who get it, you realize you are not the only one.

We are thankful to Ruth & Norman Rales Jewish Family Services, the CYP team, school partners, and families who made this night possible.

Moments like this matter.

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.

My name is: Tamanolie E.,12th Grade

I care for my: Grandmother (Diabetes) & Aunt (Amputee)

One of the most challenging parts of being a caregiving youth is balancing my responsibilities at home with school and my extracurricular activities. I help care for my grandmother and my aunt while managing my schoolwork, after-school commitments, and being a student athlete in soccer, softball, and color guard, while also being enrolled in the Criminal Justice Academy and Bound for College program.

Caring for my grandmother is a big part of my daily life. I can remember multiple nights when she had an accident and called me for help. I’ve either had to wake up my uncle or aunt to guide me on what I should do while my dad, who had worked late, rested.

The next day, even though I’m exhausted, I still go to school and attend practice. Before leaving, I make sure my grandmother has food and her medication.

When I return home late, I help her again. Even on game nights, I make sure she is taken care of. There have been emergencies, like when her blood sugar levels were dangerously high, and she became unresponsive. I didn’t know what to do at first, but my aunt guided me through the steps, and together we were able to stabilize her. Afterwards, my uncle and I worked together to clean her up and help her to the bathroom.

I also help care for my aunt, who is an amputee, with daily tasks such as cleaning, cooking, and translating. Every Sunday, I help her prepare meals for our family. It is a lot to manage, and these moments are difficult, but it has taught me how to be responsible.

The Caregiving Youth Project has been a tremendous support to my family.

They arranged food pantry deliveries through JFS, provided me with shoes and a backpack for school, gave our family a special Christmas through Adopt-a-Family, and supplied me with a laptop for schoolwork and college applications.

They have also helped with transportation for my aunt’s appointments. I have been able to participate in activities such as FAU Camp Treasure, holiday parties, family picnic, and pool parties, and with the help of my family specialist, I have been helped in applying for different scholarships. 

"I want to take a moment to shout out the wonderful staff at Boynton Beach Community High School! Principal Dr. Moody Fuller, Ms. Williams, Ms. Sincoul, Ms. Samuels, Ms. Cleckley, and last but certainly not least, Mrs. Lockhart.

The assistance I have received in scheduling visits to the school and in meeting with the students monthly makes a world of difference. Because of their continued support, I can effectively serve and support my students.

Thank you all for making me feel welcome, valuing our students, and recognizing the different challenges they may face as youth caregivers.

Finally, I want to recognize the collective effort of the school staff in supporting our program. It means so much to see how deeply you care about our students’ growth, not only in their education but in their whole well-being!" - Schmy Dieujuste, B.A., AACY CYP Family Specialist

BlackNews.com recently published an article titled “Meet the Young Black Advocate Using His Own Story to Amplify Youth Caregivers.”

The story highlights Omarion Calloway, who began caring for a family member at just 10 years old. He shares what it was like to balance school and caregiving and how those experiences inspired him to speak up for other Caregiving Youth.

Omarion has written a guide called More Than Survival: A Guideline for Young Caregivers and is helping create a documentary, Hands Too Small, to share the voices of young caregivers.

There are more than 6 million Caregiving Youth in the United States. Stories like this help more people understand what you do every day.

Read the full article here:

https://blacknews.com/news/omarion-calloway-young-black-advocate-using-own-story-amplify-youth-caregivers/

Your voice matters.

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.