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As we welcome a New Year, what will be different for you? Will anything change except that now you write 2024 instead of 2023? 

Traditionally, the New Year is a time of new beginnings, of growing, learning, making new friends, and having fun. 

For us at AACY, it is also a time to celebrate and thank you for the important caring differences you are making for yourself, your family, and even for society! 

Please remember also to take time to thank yourself for all you are doing to make our world a better place.  

Greetings, CYP Friends!

Happy New Year!

Our featured activity for December was AACY 2023 Holiday Party. You guys showed up and showed out! It was such a joy to see you and your families at the party in our Winter Wonderland theme, enjoying decorating cookies, ornaments, and a special card for Santa.

After making wonderful crafts, you got to enjoy a meal with your family, participate in several raffles, and your parents got to shop (for free items) at our wonderful boutique.

Lastly, you got to pick up a special gift we had for you and pick out additional gifts to give to your families. Such a wonderful experience! Thank you to all of our donors, staff, and volunteers who made this experience one to remember! 

We wrapped up the month with Boca West Carnival. You got to enjoy free carnival rides, food, games, and more. How fun! Shout out to Boca West Children's Foundation for making this possible for you guys. 

Keep looking out for upcoming activities! 

If you want to see some pictures of you and your events, visit (and follow!) our Instagram @caregivingyouthproject.

Thank you.

Andreana Holliman, BA

School Shout Out - "I want to send a shout-out to Loggers' Run Middle School Staff for their continuous support in making the Caregiving Youth Project a success at their school. Also, I am sending an incredibly special shout-out to Ms. Balais, school counselor, and secretary, Mrs. Denker.

Both are so welcoming and always have a space available for me to meet with the students. They are there to assist with whatever help I need throughout my time in the school. They are both extremely helpful and make the process simple.

Such amazing efforts show their true support for the AACY mission through the CYP program at their school. The American Association of Caregiving Youth appreciates how easy and effective all the Loggers' Run Middle School staff members are to make our program and me feel welcome. We are truly grateful for your support and teamwork!

Thank you, Logger's Run Middle School staff." - Kadian Bernard, MAHS, AACY Family Specialist

Remember, the most important goal is your well-being! Take care of yourself first so you can be the best caregiver you can be.

SET Personal Goals:

Self-Care:

• What activities will you prioritize for your own physical and mental health (e.g., exercise, hobbies, relaxation)?
• How much time will you commit to self-care each week/month?
• How will you overcome challenges that might prevent you from taking care of yourself?

Social Connection:

• How will you connect with friends and family who support you (e.g., schedule regular calls and outings)?
• How will you set boundaries with others to protect your time and energy?

Personal Growth:

• What new skill or knowledge would you like to learn in 2024?
• How will you make time for learning and personal development?
• What resources will you use to achieve your learning goals?

SET Goals for Your Loved One:

Physical Health:

• What are some specific, measurable goals for improving your loved one's physical health (e.g., increasing mobility, managing weight)?
• What activities or interventions will you implement to support these goals?
• How will you track progress and adjust your approach if needed?

Quality of Life:

• What are your loved one's hopes and interests for 2024?
• How can you help them participate in activities they enjoy and find meaningful?
• How will you celebrate their achievements and milestones along the way?

Additional Tips:

• Set SMART goals: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.
• Break down large goals into smaller, actionable steps.
• Celebrate your successes, no matter how small.
• Be flexible and adaptable. Unexpected things will come up, so be prepared to adjust your goals as needed.

Don't be afraid to ask for help. Remember, you are not alone in this journey. Take care of yourself, stay connected with others, stay connected with your family specialists, and focus on making 2024 a positive and fulfilling year for you and your loved one.

We're here to support you on your caregiving journey. We'll share fun and educational content, inspiring stories from other young caregivers, and reminders that you're not alone. Thank you for all that you do for your family.

This part of the newsletter aims to give you a platform to share your stories and experiences and to raise awareness of the challenges and triumphs of being a caregiver in middle and high school.

You'll hear from Caregiving Youth from all over our CYP programs in Palm Beach County, caring for loved ones with various medical diagnoses and conditions. They will share their insights through writing prompts, creating a space for their voices to be heard.

We hope that you will find these stories inspiring and informative. We also encourage all of you to participate! Keep writing and sharing!

My name is: JP

My grade is: 11^th

I care for my: Little Sister

I care for my little sister who has Down Syndrome mostly, she needs my help and relies on me as her big brother to help a lot. I also help take care of my parents who are in their 60’s.

One of the most challenging things about being a caregiving youth is having the patience it takes when helping others. But I know to take a break, rethink, and see how to do better whenever I am feeling overwhelmed at times.

Even though it can get overwhelming, the reward of seeing a smile on my sister’s face and my parents makes it worth it. 

Being in the Caregiving Youth Project helps me in many ways. The program helps me with tutoring, and I got a B in the class I was failing. The program helps with community services and more.

Thank you, JP. Your voice matters because it shines a light on what young caregivers go through, which is very different from the usual teenage stuff. Opening up shows others they're not alone and gives them the courage to find their own strength. So keep rocking it, JP! We need your fire to light the way. You are awesome!

Picture in your mind the typical life of a 9-year-old and you most likely would think of the following: play dates with friends, participating in school activities, and gushing over the latest pop star/movie/television show.

I now would invite you to picture another 9-year-old girl, waiting to be picked up from school by her grandmother. As she sits on the school steps, she looks to her left and instead sees her grandfather, struggling to walk to her, cane in hand, leaning to one side with a shuffling step. The girl runs up to him and tells him that he can’t be out in his condition. The grandfather tells her that he is there to get her home safe; but it was the girl that ensured that she got her grandfather home safe, supporting him as he walked and having him stop at sign posts to prevent a fall.

That 9-year-old girl was me, being a caregiver to my grandfather who suffered from vascular dementia.

At the time, I didn’t realize that I was a caregiver.

I was being a granddaughter, helping my grandmother and mother care for him. Read Maria's whole story 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.