Treasure Talk | Caregiving Youth Project Newsletter
The Caregiving Youth Project (CYP) helps identify, recognize, educate, and support students who care for chronically ill, injured, elderly, or disabled family members. This allows Caregiving Youth to achieve success, have fun, and make new friends, while promoting academic and personal growth.
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A Note from Dr. Connie
Connie Siskowski, RN, PhD, AACY President & Founder
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Within a couple of weeks of each other, we have the opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate two important freedoms. The first, Juneteenth, is especially important for African-Americans, for the freedom from slavery. The second, July 4th, commemorates the signing of the Declaration of Independence, indicating that the 13 colonies in America were free from Britain and now united. Let us all take time to be thankful that we live in a country that now celebrates both of these freedoms! |
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CONGRATULATIONS, SENIORS! |
Our high school seniors are aiming high and reaching for the stars! We had a lovely time celebrating their graduations at Palm Beach State College, joined by their families and of course, the AACY team. It was a time for pride and camaraderie, made even better with goodie bags, raffles, and delicious food! Most importantly, it was a moment for making milestones. Graduating from high school is an achievement, and one that we hope all of our students get to experience. |
FEATURED COMMUNITY PARTNER:
Florida Atlantic University
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AACY would like to thank our partner, Florida Atlantic University (FAU) for their kind support and sponsorship of AACY Summer Camp. Founded in 1961, the Boca-based public research university is a mainstay of higher education in Palm Beach County. Hosting this year's AACY Summer Camp gave students the opportunity to tour the campus and envision the possibilities. Thank you, FAU, for helping us make this year's camp experience possible! |
AACY Summer Camp & Beach Day Made A Real Splash! |
For many, summer is a time of leisure and entertainment. It can be difficult to take the time that one needs for self-care, however, when one has the responsibility of caregiving. With that in mind, AACY Summer Camp was a breath of fresh air for our Caregiving Youth who participated in this year's fun. Hosted by FAU and joined by the AACY team and mentors, students got the chance to hang out by the pool, make their own ice cream and tie-dye shirts, and of course, pose for some great photo opportunities!
The fun didn't stop there for our Caregiving Youth. AACY Summer Camp was followed by a wonderful Beach Day at Red Reef Park where the students had a chance to enjoy the beautiful outdoors, and even got a chance to tour Gumbo Limbo Nature Center for an aquatic experience they won't soon forget.
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Recycle Old Ink Cartridges |
When you recycle your old and/or used ink cartridges with us, you not only help the environment, but you help support one of AACY's many initiatives!
When we mail in those old and/or used ink cartridges, Planet Green donates back to AACY!
Want to collect ink cartridges from family and friends? This is a great way to earn additional community service hours!
Thank you for your support!
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A reminder: please submit your Community Service Hours for the work you do at home!
If you have any questions, need more information or help to complete the form, please contact your Family Specialist.
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American Association of Caregiving Youth (AACY) has been selected as a benefiting nonprofit in the Community Bag Program for the month of July 2022! AACY will receive a $1 donation from each purchase of the $2.99 reusable Community Bag at the store located at Winn-Dixie 7024 Beracasa Way, Boca Raton FL.
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Support AACY with AmazonSmile |
Did you know that Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to the charitable organization of your choice?
Please consider signing up for the American Association of Caregiving Youth (AACY), as you do your shopping, and thank you for your support! https://smile.amazon.com
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Activities Recap & Preview |
By Autumn Rogers-Vazquez, Activities Manager |
June has been a huge month filled with events and activities! In the beginning of the month, we hosted our annual Senior Graduation Party. During the party, the youths worked on creating vision boards with their families, received awards, gifts and giveaways. Followed by another big event, our AACY Summer Camp at FAU where the youths from Palm Beach Gardens to Boca Raton got to create new friendships and bond with other youth caregivers.
Throughout the camp, the youths worked on team building skills as they helped and cheered on one and another throughout the ropes course, tie-dyed a pillowcase and made their own ice cream. The day was filled with big smiles, laughs and new friendships. Then the following week our youths made a big splash at the Red Reef Park where we made art from trash we collected on the beach and learned about loggerhead turtle's nests. Lastly, we restarted our Caregiving Youth Connect to give our caregivers the free space to speak their minds, meet other caregivers from different areas and explore new topics every 3 months! See you next month 😊
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By Shannon Burt, MA, Behavior Health Care Manager |
Hello Caregiving Youth, My name is Shannon and I'm super excited to start working with some of you!
I will do my best to help you as much as I can. With the new school year approaching, I know some people will be a little anxious and nervous about this new chapter!
For some, it's a new school, new friends and trust me I get it! My advice to you is to just stay focus and continue to be the great kids that you are! I look forward to getting to know all of you.
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Robert Henry Lawrence Jr. is named USAF's first black astronaut
Born in 1935 and raised in Chicago, Illinois, Robert Henry Lawrence Jr. knew he was destined for the stars from an early age. Lawrence graduated from Englewood High School in 1952 at the age of 16, in the Top Ten percent of his class. Four years later in 1956, he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Bradley University. A high achiever, Lawrence also distinguished himself as Cadet Commander in the Air Force ROTC and received the commission of second lieutenant in the Air Force Reserve program.
At the age of 21, he was designated as a U.S. Air Force pilot. Several years later, he earned his Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from Ohio State University. As senior USAF pilot, Lawrence logged over 2,500 flight hours, mostly in jets. NASA cited him for his accomplishments and flight maneuver data contributed greatly to the advent of the future space shuttle. On June 30, 1967, Lawrence successfully completed the U.S. Air Force Pilot School and was selected by the USAF as an astronaut in the Air Force's Manned Orbital Laboratory (MOL), becoming the nation's first black astronaut.
Sadly, at the age of 32, Robert Henry Lawrence Jr. was killed in a plane crash while training a rookie pilot. He had been awarded the rank of USAF Major, and if he had lived longer, would've more than likely joined the NASA Astronaut Group 7 that flew on the Space Shuttle. During his brief career, Major Lawrence was highly decorated. In 1997, his name was inscribed on the Space Mirror Memorial at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. In 2020, Major Lawrence's achievements were recognized by NASA among a group of 27 pioneering African-American, Hispanic, and Native American astronauts. An asteroid, RobertLawrence 92892, was named after him.
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The AACY team wishes you and your families a wonderful 4th of July weekend. Stay safe as we celebrate our nation's independence from Great Britain. |
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