July 2024

Dear Volunteers:

I joined the AACY team as a Volunteer Manager on January 28th, 2024. It has been a magical adventure that I hope gets even more special as we increase our mentors and volunteer platform. I am still in the process of meeting everyone and building a strong, energized team of volunteers. In this short time, I have met the most amazing and giving individuals, and I am truly blessed. If you have not already done so, please reach out and say hello. I would love to meet and work with you. If you have been thinking of volunteering, there is never a better time than the present. I would love to add you to our ever-growing team of fun, dedicated, caring volunteers and mentors.

With gratitude,

Candace Ray

Volunteer Manager

Here are just a few of the highlights from the past few months:

Camp Treasure February 2024 |

February was the much-loved overnight Camp Treasure at the Everglades Youth Conservation Camp. This is an amazing opportunity for our middle school Caregiving Youth have a break from home responsibilities. They experience getting to meet caregivers from other schools and participate in fun, enriching activities such as fishing, swimming, canoeing, archery, and crafts. Camp would not be possible without volunteer support on this amazing journey.

A big shout to our volunteers from AmeriCorps and Avalon Bay. They have unmatched enthusiasm and care to share.

Gift Boxes for Caregiving Youth - Gift Brigade |

Medelene W, a former Caregiving Youth and volunteer from Texas created the first-ever Surprise Gift Box for one of our participants with the help of KatieCaresCo. Medelene found a way to help in honor of her mother. She uses the profits from her company to send our students much-appreciated, lovingly made handcrafted gift boxes. These surprise gift boxes can really help to engrain the AACY message that each student is appreciated and has value. Join our Brigade and help spread the love. Chrismaly, one of our first Gift Box recipients, wrote a thank you for her specialized gift box and modeled her specially picked gifts.

2024 AACY Graduation |

On June 4th, AACY hosted a graduation celebration for all the graduating seniors. This year, 100 percent of our students from our Caregiving Youth Project program graduated, so we really had something to celebrate. 60 AACY students graduated. Over 30 volunteers pitched in to help make this event a night to remember for our families.

Graduation Special Thanks |

Miss Wellington, Jesenia Orozco volunteered her time as our key speaker and stayed to encourage our students. Her sister Diane Cuco joined the AACY program in 2015. The good thing AACY does is encourage those to keep connected. Diane is going to join our mentor program.

Jeffery Firestone did a fun-filled trivia game that entertained the families and attendees. He also graciously volunteered to help with prizes and gift donations for our students.

Judy Wong lovingly created individual handmade graduation cards for each of our participating seniors. Her talent and dedication to our graduating seniors are appreciated by all.

Thank you to Isabel Parrado for donating all the fixings for a candy station for our youth. This is so sweet of her, and she has done it for the past several years.

Michael Conner, our volunteer photographer for all of our events, helped out yet again. Michael is also a mentor with AACY, and his mentee graduated this year, so Michael was wearing many hats that night. @Michael Connor Photography

The list of individuals to thank is long, but here are just a few additional shout-outs. Thanks to Debralyn, who represented Strikes Lounge and helped with the decorations. Roz Tubbs and Lisa LaPato lovingly created our centerpieces and helped with decorations. Dr. Priscilla Boerger graciously donated Books and gifts to our graduating seniors again this year.

We especially thank a group of volunteers from The Breakers and Americorp. We are blessed to have them assist us and are grateful for their friendly, helpful volunteers.

Office Support Staff Volunteer Dan P |

Dan’s knowledge and skills are a treasured gift, bringing his data management expertise to AACY! He even spent about 100 hours to develop a new tutoring program to better track our tutors and student success. Dan now has help from Tina, another volunteer with great skills. Dan brings in sweet treats, makes us laugh, and is a joy in our office. The value of his contributions is priceless. We thank both him and Tina from the bottom of our hearts!

Mentors |

Our Mentors help our students stay firmly planted on the ground while reaching for the stars.

We have a great team of mentors! A Caregiving Youth receives an extra special gift when they have a mentor/coach to support and encourage them. Our goal is to ensure that any AACY participant who wants a mentor has a match – mentors also benefit from this experience of purpose.

A couple of recent highlights and shout-outs about two of our mentors!

Stu secured an internship for one of his mentees at Boca West Country Club. He will be in the kitchen learning his future career desire to become a chef. Stu also has a second mentee and was instrumental in securing a 4-year scholarship for him.
Blake planned a special birthday surprise for his mentee. He learned that his favorite car was a Lamborghini, so he secured a location to shoot a photo in a Lamborghini and dinner.

Note: AACY does not recommend this amount of whipped cream, but it is a birthday, after all, and that smile makes every scoop worth it! Blake regularly helps with homework, practices sports, and gets to know the family. This mentee has a great opportunity to apply for a two-year scholarship, and the team at AACY and Blake will do all possible to help him achieve this opportunity. A mentor/coach is a gift.

Often, it is the mentor who gets the most out of the relationship. If you are interested, please reach out to Candace at 561-975-9960. We are currently in need of mentors in the north and west part of Palm Beach County, especially in Loxahatchee and Belle Glade.

Come to Game Night on August 28th and support our special Mentor Team!

DONATE TO THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF CAREGIVING YOUTH

American Association of Caregiving Youth | 6401 Congress Ave. Suite #200, Boca Raton, FL 33487 | Call us at (561) 391-7401

The American Association of Caregiving Youth (AACY) is a Florida 501 (c) (3) corporation.

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