Caregiving Youth Project Newsletter: The AACY Caregiving Youth Project (CYP) helps identify, recognize, educate, and support students who care for chronically ill, injured, elderly, or disabled family members. This allows Caregiving Youth to achieve success, have fun, and make new friends while promoting academic and personal growth.
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| March Treasure Talk 2023!
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It's hard to believe that Spring is here and this school year is almost over! At AACY, we are in the midst of planning for a virtual conference, Camp Treasure, and your High School Graduation Celebration.
Like me, you may have some things that are hanging around on your "To Do" list! Years ago, I came across a wisdom-giving card that I still have in my office. The message is, "Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today- because you may enjoy it today, and then you can do it again tomorrow!" So just do it and ENJOY!!
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It's no secret – caregiving can be a tough job. On the days when you're beyond stressed, you might feel completely alone. That couldn't be further from the truth. In the United States, over 5.4 million caregivers aged 18 and under are currently helping their loved ones. An army of people wants nothing but the best for you. We will feature videos every month of other kids who've told their stories in the US and around the world. Some are old, and some are new. The goal is to let you see that other kids have been through this too.
Thank you for all that you do for your family. Remember: you are never alone.
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“One person caring about another represents life’s greatest value.” - John Rohn
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| 'What we want you to know about being a young carer' - West Yorkshire, UK Health & Care Partnership
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| Activities Recap & Preview:
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Hello and Happy March, Everyone!
This month's featured activity was our Caregiving Youth Action Day! We had participants from around the world, the UK, AZ, CA, CO, FL, HI, IL, NC, NJ, NYC, TX, and VA. This was a special event as all ages of caregivers came together to raise more awareness and share their stories. It is so important for our caregivers to know that they are never alone!
This month was also Spring Break time which means we get to see each other in person again! During Spring Break, we had two artistic workshops. First, an Art Workshop with Smita from Manipura Care Network where we made our own garden dreamscapes, learned origami, and explored the different career paths as an artist! Thank you, Smita, for your time, materials, and care!
After that, we had our singing workshop, where we all got to sing a song and get positive feedback and vocal instruction from Laura Angelini on improving our voices. Thank you, Laura, for donating your time, talent, and studio!
If you aren't already, follow our Instagram page: @caregivingyouthproject, so you can see the art and singing talents from last week!
Thank you to those who donated their time to make the activities extra special this month and to our family specialist who provided transportation so these activities could happen! It is always great to get a break and have fun together.
Thanks for catching up on our activities. See you next month! ❤
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| Special thanks to Congress Middle School
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We are pleased to thank and acknowledge Mr. Brandon Hawkins, 8th-grade Assistant Principal, for contributing to an important role in the Caregiving Youth Project at Congress Middle School.
Mr. Hawkins is very favorable, good-natured, and truly understands the meaning of what the Caregiving Youth Project has to offer to our active and future students. Mr. Hawkins provides our students and family specialist a private space to work and conduct skills-building groups. The questionnaire process was completed in a timely manner to help transition with the enrollment of future CYP students.
Mr. Hawkins shares and engages students during lunches with the various monthly lunch and learn themes, encourages student excellence, and strives to be a positive role model amongst the student population and school personnel. The American Association of Caregiving Youth appreciates you for your dedication, responsiveness, and compassion.
As always…Go Cougars!
The recognized staff member as well as other teachers and staff at Congress Middle School are true supporters of AACY, and for that, we would like to extend our most sincere gratitude. Thank you for all that you do!
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| Welcome, LaWanda Lawson - Family Specialist:
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LaWanda Lawson graduated from Amridge University with a Bachelor of Science in Human and Religious studies. She has worked with children and families in the mental health field since 2013.
She has worked in various roles, such as administrative support staff, psycho-social rehabilitation facilitator, and case manager. Prior to her experience in the mental health field, she worked in the college ministry full time and specialized in raising funds for them as well as life skill building. She started to gain a huge passion for families that were challenged in many areas, such as socio-economically, mentally, physically, etc.
She began to put herself out in the community to gain all the resources she could for the population she served at that time. LaWanda and her sister have also been caregivers for over ten years now and have plenty of insight into navigating through the challenges.
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| Welcome, Kassandra Mendez - Care Manager:
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My name is Kassandra Mendez, I am a Care Manager here at AACY. I am originally from South Florida, and my hometown is actually right here in Boca Raton.
I graduated from the University of Central Florida (GKCO) with my bachelor's in Clinical Psychology. I have been working in the field for over five years now. I am very driven and always try to have a positive outlook on life.
My goal is to provide all the support I can to the students who are caregivers and their families. I have always admired and enjoyed making a difference in a person's life. During my free time, I like to go to the gym and be around family and friends.
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| Thank you for being an important part of the first-ever CAREGIVING YOUTH ACTION DAY USA!
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We want to say a big thank you to everyone who took part in Caregiving Youth Action Day USA. This event was to support Young Carers Action Day in the UK. We are grateful for your help in showing support for young caregivers all over the world.
By taking part in this event, you helped to make more people aware of the challenges that Caregiving Youth face. You also helped to make sure that programs and policies are made to support everyone, no matter where they live. Your voices were heard, and your participation will help make a difference in the movement to support other kids like yourselves in the United States.
We want to thank you for showing your support, and we’ll continue to work together to make more people aware and find more helpers to advocate for you amazing young people who do so much for their families and communities.
Thanks again for joining us for Caregiving Youth Action Day.
We appreciate all your efforts and hope to see you again next year!
#CaregivingYouth #YoungCarers #YoungCarersActionDay
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| WHAT TO WATCH: 'Um Yes, Hello' @Geodesaurus
"Educational lake videos draw over 70 million views."
Outrageously interesting, entertaining, and fun 3-minute videos on lakes around the world!
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Highlighting the Spookiest Lakes in the World
"Every day for the month of October, Wisconsin-based artist and teacher Geo Rutherford features a new spooky lake on her TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube accounts, @Geodesaurus. She calls herself a freshwater scientist and leans into the weirdness of lakes in her annual Spooky Lake series every October.
Each video runs for two or three minutes, in which Rutherford breaks down the history, science, and legend of the highlighted body of water--and ends with a "spookies" rating that judges the lake's scariness out of ten.
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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.
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Community Service Hours
A reminder: please submit your Community Service Hours for the work you do at home!
If you have any questions, need more information or help to complete the form, please contact your Family Specialist.
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Crisis Text Line
Text HOME to 741741
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Need help identifying a pill? Poison possibility?
Mixed up meds? Found a loose pill? Worried that a refill looks different? Suspect an overdose?
Call 1-800-222-1222
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Are there any VETERANS in your Family? Resources Available:
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PBC has services that might be of assistance to your Family. Learn more here
Another resource is VeteranAid.org.
This organization offers details information on a Veteran's pension benefit called Aid and Attendance (A&A)
If a Veteran requires assisted living care in a community or at home, A&A gives the information they need to apply for this benefit for free. Senior Veterans and spouses use this benefit to help them afford quality home care. Learn more here
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Many Thanks to Our Partners:
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The American Association of Caregiving Youth (AACY) is a Florida 501 (c) (3) corporation.
A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION (#CH12431) AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE OR AT WWW.FRESHFROMFLORIDA.COM. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.
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