I am deeply grateful for your incredible support that continues to fuel our mission, and this past quarter has been a testament to the power of collaboration.

We are thrilled to see a growing number of university students, including those from Harvard, the University of Maryland, the University of Miami, and many others reaching out to AACY. We're excited about the potential positive impact their involvement will have on Caregiving Youth issues.

The past three months, we've seen a flurry of activity aimed at directly supporting Caregiving Youth and their families:

We proudly supported 538 middle and high school Caregiving Youth in Palm Beach County, with many more to come. We also began services in four new schools – three high schools and one middle school – further extending our reach.

We held the largest-ever Camp Treasure, welcoming 52 students! This fun and enriching program provided a much-needed break and an opportunity for connection with other youth who are caregivers.

We are delighted to welcome three new Board members: Dr. Abbey Strauss, Leandra Cain, and Maria Levix. Their expertise and passion will be invaluable assets to our organization. We also extend our heartfelt thanks to those recently stepping down from the Board: Angela Stevenson, Dominique McDonald, and Romeo Siguijor. Their dedication and service have been instrumental in AACY's growth.

We were also deeply touched by a generous donation of care packages from a kind woman in Texas. These thoughtful gifts brought a smile to the faces of many Caregiving Youth.

These achievements wouldn't have been possible without tireless efforts from the front-line team, our dedicated volunteers and board members, those who assist with activities, and our generous individual and foundation donors. You are all changing lives for the better.

Thank you for your unwavering support. Together, we can continue to empower Caregiving Youth and build a brighter future for them.

Sincerely,

We want to recognize and thank U.S. Representative Lois Frankel of the 22nd District of Florida for championing this GAO initiative on behalf of Caregiving Youth. On April 13, 2022, the House Committee on Education and Labor, along with Representatives Lois Frankel (FL-21), Barbara Lee (CA-13) and members of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, requested a study on Caregiving Youth from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO).

The American Association for Caregiving Youth (AACY) is thrilled to report on its successful participation in the recent International Young Carers Conference (#icycc2024) held in Manchester, England. This prestigious event provided a fantastic platform for US experts to share their insights on Caregiving Youth issues and advancements with a global audience.

Leading the charge for AACY was Amoy Gordon, Director of the Caregiving Youth Project. Amoy's presentations, alongside collaborators Elizabeth Olson and Leiha Edmonds from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, sparked inspiring discussions. As Amoy remarked, "Hearing about young carers from 20 countries was an amazing experience!"

The conference witnessed a strong US presence, with experts leading presentations and workshops across various aspects of young carer experiences. Here are some highlights:

The First 16 Years of the US Caregiving Youth Project and Caregiving Youth Institute: This presentation by Amoy Gordon and Elizabeth Olson delved into the history and impact of these crucial initiatives.

Understanding the Everyday Geographies of Young Carers in the US: Elizabeth Olson and Leiha Edmonds explored the spatial dimensions of young carer experiences in the United States.

Caregiving Youth, Redesign the World: Leiha Edmonds and Elizabeth Olson presented a thought-provoking discussion on how young carers can influence positive change.

Mapping the Experiences of the Military Connected and Veteran Young Carers (USA): Melinda S. Kavanaugh, Lisell Perez-Rogers, and Rachel Barrett shed light on the unique challenges faced by young carers within military families.

Adapting the Ycare Caregiving Skills and Support Program to Diverse Populations: Example from South Africa Young Carers: Melinda Kavanaugh, Lisell Perez-Rogers, and Rachael Barrett showcased the program's adaptability to support young carers across different contexts.

AACY looks forward to implementing the valuable knowledge and connections gained at #icycc2024 to further support young carers in the US and beyond.

Dr. Connie featured in this Podcast about Caregiving Youth produced by her Alma mater - Johns Hopkins University (April 1, 2024) - Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Podcast Sheds Light on Young Family Caregivers | A new episode of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health's podcast, "Public Health On Call," tackles the often-overlooked issue of young family caregivers.

The episode, titled "740 - The Forgotten Youths Who Are Caregivers For Their Families," highlights the experiences of children who provide care for chronically ill, elderly, disabled, or injured family members.

These young caregivers, often invisible within support systems, face significant challenges that can impact their education, health, and well-being.

The podcast features Dr. Connie Siskowski, RN, PhD, founder and president of the American Association of Caregiving Youth, and Dr. Julie Belkowitz, a pediatrician at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. Together with Dr. Josh Sharfstein, they discuss the unique needs of young caregivers and explore solutions to help them thrive alongside their caregiving responsibilities.

To listen to the episode, click here

March featured gathering young caregivers together for respite and arcade games at Fun Depot! We had such a great time taking a break from school and caregiving responsibilities.

What an amazing time we had at the last Camp Treasure at the Everglades Youth Conservation Camp!! We had 52 campers in attendance for a weekend filled with fun, rest, and exploration. Our caregiving students enjoyed fun activities such as archery, fishing, canoeing, and swimming.

Caregiving can be demanding. It can feel overwhelming and drag on, like a long winter. But we want Caregiving Youth to know their strength and resilience are incredible.

These experiences, while challenging, can offer opportunities for personal growth, joyful moments, and a chance to connect with someone special on a deeper level.

Like spring inevitably follows winter, brighter days are coming for all Caregiving Youth. They are making a real impact, and by recognizing and supporting them through the Caregiving Youth Project, we can help ensure their dedication has the potential to blossom into something beautiful.

AACY was thrilled to participate in the Spirit of Giving Community Spirit Race event. The event was well-attended and a huge success!

There was a vendor table where we connected with the community and shared information about our programs. It was especially heartwarming to see one of our CYP participants, Fredy Ayala, stop by to say hello!

Fredy and his younger brother, Alan, have been part of our program for over two years and have received various forms of support, including mentoring, tutoring, care management, and holiday gifts.

Seeing them thrive is what motivates us to keep going!

AACY Community Caregiver Awards Breakfast

We invite you to join us for the AACY Community Caregiver Awards Breakfast

Join us on Tuesday, April 30, 2024

8 AM - 10 AM at Broken Sound Club

Registration and the breakfast buffet open at 7:30 AM

Purchase Tickets & Sponsorships Here

KENDRA SCOTT Fundraising Event May 4th

You Can Make a Difference!

AACY Newly Updated Mission & Vision

Vision: We envision a nation in which there is understanding, appreciation, and celebration of the lives of Caregiving Youth on their individual path to life’s dreams and opportunities.

Mission: We champion youth who provide care for chronically ill, injured, elderly, and/or disabled family members. We support their role as caregiver and guide their success in school and life.

| Here Are a Few Ways You Can Support AACY!

• Commit to a Monthly Donation
• Attend a Fundraising Event (Locally)
• Become a Business/Corporate Sponsor
• Donate to honor a loved one and put their name on the American Association of Caregiving Youth Wall of Recognition - great present!
• Speaking Engagements – connect the AACY team to local or national events where we can educate audiences on Caregiving Youth.
• Volunteer to support our students and programs
• Follow us on social media – like, share, and comment on AACY's LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram posts.

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.