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From time to time, we all need positive messages! There may be something that an athlete, such as Tiger Woods said: "Never give up!" Or my grandmother would tell me, "If at first you don't succeed, try and try again!"

That message rings true even today, especially as we at AACY work hard to help people understand the importance of supporting you and your Caregiving Youth peers!

With that goes the super important message that if something doesn't work, try doing it differently if you want success!

Greetings, CYP Friends!

This September, we made the most of a day off from school by spending it with our amazing CYP friends at the Lake Lytal Aquatic Center! Our Pool Day Activity was packed with fun, laughter, and sunshine, and we even took time for an informative Medication Management Workshop to support our caregiving journey.

We always love the opportunity to reconnect with familiar faces, welcome new friends, and strengthen the bonds within our caregiving youth community. These shared moments mean so much!

Mark your calendars for our Annual Holiday Celebration happening on Sunday, December 20! Keep an eye on your emails and texts for official invites and more details soon.

Wishing you all a strong and successful school year, we’re proud of you!

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.

Warmly,

The Caregiving Youth Project Team

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.

Student Shout Out:

"We referred three remarkable sisters to the Take Stock in Children program. Even before joining, they were high-achieving students, all maintaining straight A’s, despite facing significant personal challenges within their family. Over the years, they have taken on the responsibility of helping care for their nonverbal brother as well as their grandmother, who is also their sole guardian.

These young caregivers have shown incredible strength, balancing school, family duties, and personal growth. Their success is a powerful reminder of what young people can achieve when given the right support.

Thanks to the combined efforts of programs like Take Stock in Children and AACY, these girls now have access to mentors, academic guidance, emotional support, and advocates - ensuring they have the tools they need to thrive as students, caregivers, and young individuals finding their way in the world." - Thamar Mathias, BA, AACY Family Specialist

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

"A heartfelt thank you to Lantana Middle School for the incredible support they provide each year!

The staff consistently go above and beyond to help make connections with students seamless and effective. Whether it's finding a comfortable space to meet, printing schedules, or calling students from class, their willingness to assist never goes unnoticed.

I'm especially grateful for my wonderful contacts, who respond quickly to emails, making communication smooth and efficient. A big thank you as well to the teachers who have welcomed me into their classrooms and supported efforts to share the program with students to ensure that no caregivers go unnoticed.

I also want to shout out the assistant principals and counselors who actively promote the program during lunches, helping ensure that Caregiving Students are aware of the resources available to them.

Your support makes a real difference!

Thank you to all at Lantana Middle School for being such dedicated partners in supporting the success of our Caregiving Youth!" - Thamar Mathias, BA, AACY Family Specialist

When Omarion Calloway was just 10 years old, he helped take care of his grandmother and uncle. While other kids his age were busy with school and fun activities, Omarion was learning how to follow seizure plans, give baths, and make sure his family took their medicine.

Now, Omarion has written a free guide called More Than Survival: A Guideline for Young Caregivers. In it, he shares his own story and gives helpful advice for kids and teens who are caring for family members.

The guide talks about important topics like:

• Taking care of yourself while you care for others
• Mental health and why it matters
• Tips and strategies to handle tough situations

Omarion knows that caregiving can sometimes make kids feel unseen or misunderstood. Teachers may think you are distracted, or friends may not understand why you are so busy. His words remind us that you are not alone. Millions of kids across the country are caregivers too.

Even with all of his responsibilities, Omarion earned over $1.3 million in scholarships and is getting ready to graduate from New York University. He is also starting a new project called WeRiseLoud, which will help bring attention to young caregivers and make sure their voices are heard.

➡️ Read Omarion’s free guide: More Than Survival: A Young Caregiver’s Journey

The Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, the number one graduate school of nursing in the United States, recently hosted a special event all about Caregiving Youth. 

Dr. Connie Siskowski, founder of AACY and recipient of the school’s Distinguished Alumna Award, was invited back to give a keynote speech. A group of national experts also joined to talk about the challenges and strengths of kids who care for family members.

The event was called “Caregiving Youth: A Call to Action for Research, Education and Policy.” This means leaders in health, education, and government are beginning to pay closer attention to what caregiving is really like for young people and what needs to change to better support you.

During the event, Charlie, a former Caregiving Youth and AACY youth ambassador, was invited from the audience to share his story of helping his grandmother with Alzheimer’s. His words showed that behind the six million caregiving kids in the United States are real people with real experiences.

So what does this mean for you?

• It means that people in health care and education are starting to notice and care about what kids like you go through.

• It means your experiences are being talked about at the top nursing school in the country.

• It means that every voice, including yours, helps push for more understanding, more resources, and more support.

We are excited to share that Madeline Grace Asbell, a longtime advocate for Caregiving Youth, has been chosen to serve on the Leander Independent School District Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council in Texas.

This council gives students the chance to meet with the Superintendent and share their ideas on important topics like mental health, preparing for the future, and life skills. Leander ISD is a large school district near Austin, serving more than 42,000 students, so this is a big opportunity.

In addition to her school leadership, Madeline is also competing in the Miss America Opportunity as a teen in Texas. She is using the stage to highlight the challenges and strength of Caregiving Youth. She was even recognized by the White House as one of the Top 20 Girls Leading Change in America.

Madeline’s example shows that even while caring for family members, you can still find ways to shine, lead, and create change. She encourages you to follow your dreams!

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.