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Dear CYP Students,

As September comes to a close, the Caregiving Youth Project is celebrating its 20th year!

More people are learning about Caregiving Youth through TV, newspapers, magazines, movies, and social media. But many people still do not understand what caregiving is really like for young people.

We Want Your Advice!

You are the experts.

What is one thing you wish other people understood about being a Caregiving Youth? It could be something you wish your teachers, friends, family members, or other adults knew.

Your ideas can help us do a better job of helping others understand and support Caregiving Youth. Have an idea? Email me at connie@aacy.org or tell your Family Specialist. I would love to hear from you!

With care,

Dr. Connie

Greetings, CYP Friends!

September was a busy month as everyone settled into the new school year!

Family Specialists returned to schools, checked in with students, and worked with school staff to make sure Caregiving Youth know where to find support. They also began meeting with 6th-grade students to introduce CYP and help identify students who may be caring for someone at home.

This month’s Lunch & Learn is all about CYP, including the support, activities, and resources available to you and your family.

We also had some fun! Twenty-six CYP students joined Bowling for Bread, hosted by Boca Helping Hands, for bowling, lunch, arcade games, and time together.

And October already has more coming up:

Camp Treasure is October 10 for middle school students, with fishing, canoeing, archery, games, and more.   

A virtual Art Workshop is October 12 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m., with art plus a short nutrition activity.

Keep an eye on messages from your Family Specialist so you don’t miss what’s next!

The CYP Team

Teaming up for bowling, enjoying lunch, playing arcade games, and cheering on friends made for a fun day together. A few of you even won prizes!

CYP activities are a chance to take a break, have fun, and spend time with other students who understand what caregiving can be like.

Thanks to Boca Helping Hands for a fun day together!

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.

Want to meet other kids and teens who understand what caregiving is like?

Join us on Thursday, November 12, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. ET on Zoom for Caregiving Youth Connection 2026.

It’s free to attend, and there is no pressure to speak or participate. You can join, listen, and take part as much or as little as you want.

Click here to sign up & participate!

Please register by October 30th



Have questions? Reach out to your Family Specialist.

Big things are happening at Tradewinds Middle School!

CYP Family Specialist Mary Craumer has been working with Tradewinds students, families, and staff for the past three years. She started there the same year Principal Chris Schroeder became principal.

At the time, Tradewinds had a C rating. The next year, it moved up to a B. And this year, Tradewinds earned an A!

Florida gives schools grades based on things like how students are doing in school and how much progress they are making. So moving from a C to an A is a big accomplishment for the whole school.

But what matters most to students is what that work looks like every day. Mary says the Tradewinds team works hard to help students succeed and make sure they have support when they need it.

She also works closely with Lead Counselor Maggie Sanon, who helps connect students and families with resources and support. That includes Caregiving Youth who may be balancing school with helping care for someone at home.

We love supporting Caregiving Youth at Tradewinds and at all of our CYP schools! It makes a big difference when your school understands that you may have a lot going on at home too.

Did you know? CYP is the only program in the country that supports Caregiving Youth both at school and at home. That means if caregiving is making school harder, you do not have to figure everything out by yourself. Your Family Specialist can help you, your family, and your school work together.

And it all started right here in Palm Beach County!

The Caregiving Youth Project is 20 years old this year!

Fun fact: CYP began in 2006 at Boca Raton Community Middle School.



What started at one school has grown into a program supporting Caregiving Youth across Palm Beach County, both at school and at home.

Twenty years later, students like you are part of that story.

You may recognize Omarion Calloway, who has shared his story as a Caregiving Youth before. He continues to speak up about his experience and help more people understand what caregiving can look like for young people.

This month, Omarion was featured in Capital B News in a story by Dr. Feylyn Lewis, a member of AACY’s National Advisory Council and the Caregiving Youth Research Collaborative.

The story focuses on Black boys and young men who care for family members and why their caregiving can sometimes go unseen.

Every story that is shared helps make it easier for the next Caregiving Youth to be recognized, understood, and supported.

We celebrated Dr. Connie’s birthday this month!

Dr. Connie started the Caregiving Youth Project 20 years ago because she believed young people caring for someone at home should have support too.

Today, that program is here for you.

Happy Birthday, Dr. Connie, and thank you for getting it all started!

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.