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The first full month of school is now completed, and a new season has arrived! Fall is complete with many sports activities in which to participate and/or enjoy watching. It is also a great time to determine how you are doing.

Your Family Specialist has many talents, but mind reading is not one of them! Please let your CYP team know if you need a little extra support to help you have your most successful year ever!

Greetings, CYP Friends!

It's been a busy month with lots of exciting activities, and we're thrilled to share some highlights with you! As the new school year kicks off, there's so much happening, and we can't wait for you to join in.

Be sure to check out our upcoming Fall events, and remember—your Family Specialists are always here if you need support or just want to chat.

Stay tuned for more fun, and don’t forget to catch your event photos on our Instagram.

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

Recently, some of our Caregiving Youth had an exciting adventure at the Kravis Center to experience Space Explorers: THE INFINITE! This fun trip was a chance for students to take a break from everyday responsibilities and enjoy something special with their mentors.

Trips like this are important because they give you time to relax, explore new things, and make happy memories with friends. It’s a way to have a break from the challenges you face at home and school.

We are so grateful to everyone who helped make this outing possible. These experiences show that you are not alone and that there’s a whole community supporting you.

Thank you to all who support our Caregiving Youth and help us create moments like these that make a big difference!

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.

This month, Mary Craumer, MSW, Family Specialist for the Caregiving Youth Project (CYP), spoke with one of her students about the experiences of being both a caregiver and a student.

Here’s a glimpse into their discussion:

What’s one thing you wish people understood about being a Caregiving Youth?

“One thing I wish people understood is that helping others also helps yourself. It deepens your understanding of people and brings a special kind of joy—like a warm smile inside.”

How has CYP helped you?

“CYP helped me be myself again. I felt happy and free because I wasn’t judged for who I am.”

This is what the AACY Caregiving Youth Project is all about—we support Caregiving Youth both at school and home throughout their caregiving journeys. It is such an honor to serve all of you, and we hope you continue to speak up and advocate for yourselves and others. You’re doing a fantastic job, and we’re proud of you! Keep supporting one another, and remember: you’re not alone!

Our End of the Year Survey from 2023 showed that 540 people were being cared for by 417 of you. Now, in 2024, 494 of you from middle and high school are looking after 751 people! This means that many of you are helping more than one person in your family. That's a lot!

Imagine if you weren't there to provide this care. It's a big question, isn't it? Without your dedication, who would step in to offer this essential support? You're not just helping one person; you're making a difference in the lives of many. Your role is more crucial than ever, and we want everyone to realize how important you are.

A huge thank you goes out to Dr. Betsy Olson and her PhD student, Leiha Edmonds, from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Leiha presented the research results of the Mapping Project at a recent conference, University of Pittsburgh's "Building Bridges: Connecting Caregiving Research, Policy, and Practice." 

Funded by the National Science Foundation, this Mapping Project is a global first! There were 48 of you who used either a GPS device or drew a map of the day and how you felt at each place. Your journey helps to reflect why schools should care about and offer you support!

The poster Leiha created went beyond our statistics. It also included your quotes and experiences as Caregiving Youth. This helps others better understand the daily challenges you face. We are incredibly grateful to Betsy and Leiha for sharing your stories with a wider audience. This work helps us all learn how to improve support for your important work at home.

Happy Birthday to the Founder and President of AACY, Connie T. Siskowski, RN, Ph.D.!

This September marks another year of Dr. Connie’s dedication to championing Caregiving Youth, a mission that began when she cared for her grandfather at age 11. As a CNN Hero and advocate for all Caregiving Youth, her work continues to inspire and help us all.

Thank you, Dr. Connie, for your tireless efforts to ensure no Caregiving Youth feels alone. Here’s to another year of making a difference!

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.