American Association of Caregiving Youth

American Association of Caregiving Youth We Advocate/Support Over 6m Youth Who Care For Chronically Ill, Elderly, Or Disabled Family Members

The American Association of Caregiving Youth (AACY) is the only national resource in the United States dedicated to supporting all children aged 18 and under who are caring for chronically ill, injured, elderly, or disabled family members. We help through
Legislative Advocacy | AACY Team, Board & National Advisory Council
Connection, Advocacy, Research, and Education (C.A.R.E.) | AACY's Caregivin

g Youth Institute (CYI)
Direct Services in Palm Beach County, FL - AACY's Caregiving Youth Project (CYP)

Madeline Grace Asbell, one of AACY’s National Spokespersons and the founder of Giving Grace: Advocating for Caregiving Y...
06/13/2026

Madeline Grace Asbell, one of AACY’s National Spokespersons and the founder of Giving Grace: Advocating for Caregiving Youth, is heading to the Miss Texas’ Teen competition June 21 through 27 in Richardson, Texas.

She is competing as Miss Metroplex’s Teen 2026. And she is bringing her advocacy for Caregiving Youth with her.

An estimated 5.4 million children and teens in the United States care for a family member who is sick, injured, disabled, or aging. Many people have never heard the term. Many of those young people do not know there is a name for what they are doing.

Madeline founded Giving Grace at 14. She has advocated before the Austin City Council, helped launch a research partnership between UT Austin and Austin Public Health, and worked with AACY to establish a pilot program in Leander ISD where students can earn community service credit for their caregiving responsibilities.

She also helped convene a panel at the Aging Life Care Association’s annual conference in Austin, bringing together AACY founder Connie T. Siskowski, Jodi O’Donnell-Ames of Hope Loves Company, and Patti LaFleur of Lorenzo’s House to present on Caregiving Youth.

She also created the Giving Grace Visionary Scholarship for Miss Texas’ Teen delegates. It has raised $6,000. And as young women apply, some are identifying themselves as Caregiving Youth for the first time.

Every new audience means more young people learning they are not alone.

AACY is proud to join the Caregiving Youth community in cheering Madeline on as she carries this message to one of the largest youth stages in Texas!

Madeline Grace Asbell Connie T. Siskowski Jodi O'Donnell-Ames Lorenzo's House Hope Loves Company, Inc. Miss Texas Scholarship Org. Jennifer Prescott

⚽️ Only 12 days left to get your raffle ticket! 👀One lucky winner is heading to the World Soccer Championship Final in E...
06/12/2026

⚽️ Only 12 days left to get your raffle ticket! 👀

One lucky winner is heading to the World Soccer Championship Final in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Sunday, July 19, with two tickets to the match and $1,500 to enjoy the experience. ✈️

And here is the best part: every $100 ticket purchased through AACY goes directly to AACY and supports our work with Caregiving Youth and their families.

Prizes:

🏆 First Prize: 2 tickets to the World Soccer Championship Final, East Rutherford, NJ, July 19, plus $1,500 for the trip

🏨 Second Prize: 2-night stay at Wyndham Boca Raton, plus $250 to spend

🍽️ Third Prize: $500 gift card to NYY Steak at Seminole Casino Coconut Creek

Ticket sales close EOD Wednesday, June 24. The drawing is live on the Boca West Children's Foundation page on Friday, June 26. You do not need to be present to win.

Get your ticket here: https://aacy.org/events/bocawestchildrensfdtnraffle2026/

Raffle-ticket payments are not tax-deductible. All prizes are secured and fulfilled by Boca West Children's Foundation.

A big thank you to Boca West Children's Foundation for making this possible! ❤

Connie T. Siskowski

Today was about thanking the people who show up for AACY and the Caregiving Youth we serve in the Caregiving Youth Proje...
06/10/2026

Today was about thanking the people who show up for AACY and the Caregiving Youth we serve in the Caregiving Youth Project.

We gathered some of our volunteers and mentors for our Volunteer Appreciation Brunch, a small group representing so many more who give their time, energy, and care throughout the year.

You help keep the engine running for our students. Every activity, celebration, and special event depends on people who are willing to show up, pitch in, and make it happen.

We truly could not do this work without you.

And we always have room for more. If you live in Palm Beach County or the surrounding area and would like to volunteer or become a mentor, send a message to [email protected] or visit aacy.org to get involved!

AACY Family Day Picnic Needs Volunteers!AACY still needs a few more volunteers for our annual Family Day Picnic on Wedne...
06/09/2026

AACY Family Day Picnic Needs Volunteers!

AACY still needs a few more volunteers for our annual Family Day Picnic on Wednesday, July 15, at John Prince Park in Lake Worth Beach.

This is one of our favorite days of the year. Caregiving Youth and their families come together for BBQ, games, a splash pad, snow cones, cotton candy, and time with other families who get it.

We need volunteers to help make the day run smoothly. Shifts are available from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and include:

• Setup and registration
• Grilling and food prep
• Food distribution
• Activity stations
• Snow cone and cotton candy machines
• Donation table
• Cleanup
• General event support

Choose a specific role or select “I’m Happy to Help Wherever Needed.”

Wednesday, July 15, 2026
John Prince Park — Osborne Pavilion
2520 Lake Worth Road
Lake Worth Beach, FL 33461

Sign up here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfUjyle_FNC76WXGXnVlBtOH2XR9nLHG0hnpKMfF5gza4embg/viewform

Questions? Contact James Sturges at [email protected] or 561-391-7401.

Thank you for helping us make it a great day.

Ten girls from AACY's Caregiving Youth Project spent the afternoon at Painting with a Twist for a Dream It, Be It event ...
06/07/2026

Ten girls from AACY's Caregiving Youth Project spent the afternoon at Painting with a Twist for a Dream It, Be It event sponsored by Soroptimist International Boca Raton/Deerfield Beach. 🎨

Caregiving Youth help care for family members at home. They manage responsibilities most kids their age never have to think about. They do it because they love their families. But they still need time that is just for them.

That is what respite is. And that is what this afternoon was.

The girls painted, laughed, spent time together, and left with artwork that was completely their own. Each painting started with the same idea. Each one turned out a little different.

Many thanks to Soroptimist International of Boca Raton/Deerfield Beach for seeing these girls and giving them an afternoon to focus on themselves, their creativity, and their own futures.

AACY's Caregiving Youth Project kicked off its summer activities by bringing a group of Caregiving Youth to Rescue Life ...
06/06/2026

AACY's Caregiving Youth Project kicked off its summer activities by bringing a group of Caregiving Youth to Rescue Life Sanctuary in Palm Beach Gardens for a day of fresh air, animals, and a few hours with zero caregiving responsibilities.

These are kids who manage things at home most adults never have to think about. The pill organizer on the counter. The appointment calendar. The small changes in someone's health that can reshape the whole day. They do it because they love their families. But they still need time to just be kids and spend time with other kids who understand.

That is what respite is. And that is what this day was.

Florida State Representative and Rescue Life Sanctuary founder Megan Weinberger opened her sanctuary to our youth, introducing them to horses, zebras, alpacas, donkeys, birds, pigs, and yes, Quackers, the goose who thinks he is a dog and apparently follows everyone whether they want him to or not.

The kids spent time with the animals, learned about rescue and rehabilitation, and enjoyed a few hours somewhere that made it easy to exhale.

It was exactly what it needed to be.

Many thanks to Rescue Life Sanctuary:
Founded in December 2013 by Florida State Representative Megan Weinberger, Rescue Life Sanctuary is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. The sanctuary provides permanent homes and rehabilitation for abused, abandoned, and unwanted animals. It currently houses horses, zebras, alpacas, donkeys, dogs, cats, birds, pigs, and more. Meg has been rescuing animals since she was a teenager. Today, she and her family care for more than 100 animals at the sanctuary.

Rescue Life

AACY Needs Volunteers for Our Family Day Picnic!On July 15, AACY is bringing Caregiving Youth and their families togethe...
06/03/2026

AACY Needs Volunteers for Our Family Day Picnic!

On July 15, AACY is bringing Caregiving Youth and their families together for an Old Americana-style picnic at John Prince Park.

For families carrying a lot at home, the day is a chance for some respite, fun, and time together. There will be BBQ, games, a splash pad, snow cones, cotton candy, and plenty of opportunities to make good memories.

We need volunteers to help make it all happen.

Volunteer opportunities are available between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. and include setup, registration, grilling and food prep, activity stations, food distribution, the snow cone and cotton candy machines, the donation table, cleanup, and general event support.

Wednesday, July 15, 2026
John Prince Park, Osborne Pavilion
2520 Lake Worth Road
Lake Worth Beach, FL 33461

Sign up for a specific role, or select “I’m Happy to Help Wherever Needed.”

Sign up here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1miGg0UtTX5m5_ohZEonXOTCl_OxVAb4nJPV03CvruOo/viewform

We would love for you to join us.

Questions? Please contact:
James Sturges, BA
Program Support Specialist
P: 561-391-7401
E: [email protected]

Support AACY when you purchase your Boca West Children’s Foundation Raffle Tickets!https://aacy.org/events/bocawestchild...
06/03/2026

Support AACY when you purchase your Boca West Children’s Foundation Raffle Tickets!

https://aacy.org/events/bocawestchildrensfdtnraffle2026/

Each $100 supports the AACY Boca West Foundation Campaign, fueling our mission and earning you a complimentary entry in the Boca West Children’s Foundation World Soccer Championship Raffle 2026.

$100 = 1 Complimentary Ticket

Ticket sales close EOD Wednesday, June 24.

The drawing will take place on June 26, 2026, live on the Boca West Children’s Foundation page. The winner does not need to be present.

1st Prize: World Soccer Championship Final
2 tickets to the final
East Rutherford, NJ | Sunday, July 19, 2026
Includes $1,500 to enjoy the experience

2nd Prize: Wyndham Boca Raton Hotel
2-night stay with $250 to spend

3rd Prize: Dining at Seminole Casino Coconut Creek
$500 gift card to NYY Steak Restaurant

Raffle-ticket payments are not tax deductible. All prizes are secured and fulfilled by Boca West Children’s Foundation.

Support the AACY campaign here:
https://aacy.org/events/bocawestchildrensfdtnraffle2026/

For complete rules and disclosures:
www.bocawestfoundation.org Boca West Children's Foundation

06/02/2026

Thank you to Chris Durrance and Well Beings for continuing to share this story.

This is exactly why identifying Caregiving Youth matters.
In 2021, AACY helped Rhode Island add a caregiving question to its statewide student survey. Nearly 41% of students who responded identified as caregivers.

That question helped make visible what schools may otherwise miss: many students are balancing classes, homework, and activities with significant responsibilities at home.

The short film Caring to Ask shows what it can look like when schools recognize Caregiving Youth and provide the right support. Students do not have to choose between succeeding in school and being there for their families.

AACY is proud to have helped move this work forward in Rhode Island and grateful to Well Beings for continuing to share this important story.

From Well Beings "In Rhode Island, a simple question added to a school survey in 2021, with the help of , revealed something surprising — nearly 41% of students identified as caregivers.

For these students at , balancing school and caregiving became a lighter load when school staff provided the right support. They are not only succeeding academically, but it’s also paving the way for a future that includes their families.

The realities and responsibilities for young and adult caregivers are at the heart of the “Caregiving” documentary, available to stream anytime at https://www.pbs.org/show/caregiving/. There you can also find the short film Award-winning filmmaker and “Caregiving” director, Chris Durrance, is highlighting in this video, titled “Caring to Ask”.

If you are a caregiver, comment RESOURCE for a list of free resources and support on this video on https://www.instagram.com/wellbeingsorg/. If you’d like to share your caregiving story or be inspired by others who’ve shared theirs, comment SHAREMYSTORY and we’ll send you details on how to get involved. 💜"

AACY National Advisory Council member Maria Miranda, LMSW will present "Kids Are Caregivers, Too: Supporting Caregiving ...
06/01/2026

AACY National Advisory Council member Maria Miranda, LMSW will present "Kids Are Caregivers, Too: Supporting Caregiving Youth in the U.S." for the New York State Caregiving & Respite Coalition on Wednesday, June 10, 2026 from 1:00–2:00 PM ET.

This free one-hour Zoom webinar is designed for professionals who work with family caregivers. Maria will cover the realities facing Caregiving Youth in the U.S., including their lack of visibility in support systems and policy, and what needs to happen to build stronger support.

The webinar comes as New York State has passed S6273A/A3595A, legislation directing the state's Commissioner of Education to study how many children are caregivers and how caregiving affects their education. The bill is awaiting the governor's signature.

Register at https://www.nyscrc.org/events/kids-are-caregivers-too-supporting-caregiving-youth-inthe-us

Maria Miranda

Address

6401 Congress Avenue #200
Boca Raton, FL
33487

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+15613917401

Website

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