CACY-Colorado Alliance For Caregiving Youth

10/20/2026

When we talk about long-term care for older adults, we also need to talk about the children and teens who help provide it.

A new *ElderLawAnswers* article explores the realities of young family caregivers, including the responsibilities they take on, gaps in U.S. support systems, and how other countries recognize and assist young caregivers.

The article also highlights the American Association of Caregiving Youth and includes insights from Elizabeth “Betsy” Olson, PhD, of UNC Chapel Hill.

For CACY, this is an important reminder that caregiving youth are part of the larger family caregiving and long-term care conversation. We should not overlook their experiences, responsibilities, and needs.

Read the article by Lee Pruitt:
https://lnkd.in/emfb4qU2

When we talk about elder law and long-term care, children aren't usually part of the conversation. But some are already helping provide that care.

A new article from Elder Law Answers, a resource focused on the legal and long-term care needs of older adults and their families, examines what caregiving means for both children and the older adults who rely on them, gaps in U.S. support, and how other countries recognize and assist young caregivers.

Written by Lee Pruitt, the article also highlights the American Association of Caregiving Youth (AACY) and its home visits and respite programs, along with insights from Elizabeth Olson, PhD, of UNC Chapel Hill.

It's significant to see Caregiving Youth gaining recognition in the elder law and long-term care community. These are conversations where their needs and experiences belong, and reaching the professionals who work with aging adults and their families is an important part of that progress.

Read the article:
https://www.elderlawanswers.com/when-children-take-on-the-burden-of-family-caregiving-21713

10/16/2026

What an extraordinary evening! 💙
On October 8, our community came together for CACY’s inaugural Too Young to Be This Strong Gala, and the generosity and support exceeded our expectations!

Thanks to our sponsors, donors, guests, volunteers, speakers, and everyone who helped make the evening possible, we surpassed our fundraising goal!

But the evening was about so much more than fundraising. It was about shining a light on Colorado’s caregiving youth and building a future where no young person carries the responsibilities of caregiving alone.

From all of us at the Colorado Alliance for Caregiving Youth, thank you for believing in our mission and helping caregiving youth feel visible, valued, and supported.

Together, we are lightening the load.🙏💚💙💛💖

10/14/2026

Thank you, Madeline Grace Asbell , for this powerful reminder during World Mental Health Week.

Caregiving youth can love their families deeply and still feel overwhelmed. They can be strong and still need help. They can care for others and still deserve care themselves.

At CACY, we believe every young caregiver should feel seen, supported, and reminded that their own well-being matters, too.

Your feelings matter. Your dreams matter. You don't have to carry everything alone. 💙

💙 Mental health matters, especially for the young people who spend so much time caring for others.

As we talk about mental health this week, I want to shine a light on a group of young people who are often overlooked: Caregiving Youth.

These are children and teens who help care for a family member living with an illness, disability, or other health challenge. While balancing school, friendships, extracurricular activities, and their own dreams, they may also be managing responsibilities that many people their age never have to think about.

Sometimes, the emotional weight of caregiving goes unseen.

Through my Giving Grace platform, I advocate for Caregiving Youth because I believe every young person deserves to be seen, supported, and reminded that their own well-being matters, too.

💙 You can love someone deeply and still feel overwhelmed.

💙 You can be strong and still need help.

💙 You can care for someone else without forgetting to care for yourself.

To every young person who helps care for someone they love: I see you. Your feelings matter. Your dreams matter. And you deserve support, too.

Let’s create a world where Caregiving Youth don’t have to choose between caring for their families and taking care of themselves.

Give grace to others. Give grace to yourself. 💙

10/14/2026

Many teens balance school, friendships, activities, and growing up.

They are also caregivers.

A new "Aging Untold" story highlights the hidden weight teens and young adults carry as they help care for aging parents, grandparents, and other family members. The impact can reach into their education, mental health, career plans, and future.

One important question the story raises: What if schools routinely asked students whether they have caregiving responsibilities at home?

At CACY, we know that asking the question matters. When we identify caregiving youth, we can better understand them, recognize them, and connect them to support.

Thank you to KBTX and *Aging Untold* for helping bring greater visibility to this often-overlooked generation of caregivers.

Read the full story:
https://www.kbtx.com/2026/10/12/aging-untold-teens-are-hidden-generation-juggling-school-elder-care/

On this episode of Aging Untold, we explore the hidden weight carried by millions of teens and young adults stepping into caregiving roles for aging family members.

10/09/2026

🎉 We’re officially SOLD OUT!
Tonight’s Too Young to Be This Strong fundraising gala is sold out, and we are incredibly grateful for the support of Colorado’s caregiving youth.

But you don’t need a ticket to make a difference.
Our silent auction is still open, with exciting packages, unique experiences, and special gifts available to bid on.

⏰ Bidding closes tonight at 8:30 p.m. MT.
Every bid and every gift helps CACY raise awareness, strengthen partnerships, and build a future where caregiving youth feel visible, valued, and supported.

💙 Bid, give, and help us lighten the load.
Silent Auction:
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/colorado-alliance-for-caregiving-youths-silent-online-auction

Learn more or donate: cacycares.org

10/05/2026

The Gala may be sold out, but you can still be part of the impact.

CACY’s silent auction is open, with a great lineup of items and experiences available to bid on from your phone.

Every bid supports CACY’s work to help Colorado’s caregiving youth feel visible, valued, and supported.

Browse the auction and place your bids:
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/colorado-alliance-for-caregiving-youths-silent-online-auction

Bidding closes Thursday, October 8 at 8:30 p.m.

10/04/2026

Being confident in this very thing

“being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭1‬:‭6‬ ‭KJV‬‬

being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ

10/02/2026

A new British program evaluation suggests that reliable access to a personal laptop may help caregiving youth manage schoolwork, stay connected, and balance education with responsibilities at home.

The early findings are encouraging and highlight digital access as another important consideration when supporting caregiving youth. More independent research is needed to measure the academic impact.

Read the report: Caring and Connected: Empowering Young Carers in a Digital World -https://digitalpovertyalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/T4YC-Report_September-2026_Pages.pdf

09/29/2026

Whether you love wh***ey, coffee, tea, or Broncos football, CACY’s silent online auction has something worth exploring. ☕️🫖🥃🏈

This week we’re featuring the World of Wh***ey gift basket, coffee basket, Tea Lovers package, and Broncos collectible.

Take a closer look at each item and place your bids in CACY’s silent online auction:

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/colorado-alliance-for-caregiving-youths-silent-online-auction

Every bid supports our work to help Colorado’s caregiving youth feel visible, valued, and supported.

09/29/2026

Happy birthday to Dr. Connie Siskowski! ❤️

Connie has been instrumental in supporting CACY and advancing our shared commitment to ensuring caregiving youth are seen, heard, and supported. Her vision, leadership, and decades of advocacy have helped transform countless lives.

We are deeply grateful for Connie and proud to celebrate her today. Please join us in wishing her a very happy birthday! 🎉

Happy birthday to our founder, Connie T. Siskowski! ❤️

Today we’re celebrating the woman who has spent decades making Caregiving Youth visible and building support for children and teens who care for someone in their family.

You’ve changed so many lives for the better, and there’s so much more ahead.

Celebrating you today, Dr. Connie. Happy birthday! ❤️