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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Dear CYP Students,
Soon it will be time for the winter Olympics. The capabilities of the human body always amaze me. The consistent training one must endure to reach the performance pinnacle comes with increased discipline and self-confidence which are both building blocks of mental toughness. Like participating in the Olympics, we each have our physical and mental challenges. Valentine's Day will be in a couple of weeks. This year, in addition to expressing your love for another person, consider loving yourself! Become as physically fit as you can, and with it, your mental toughness will also get stronger. Love yourself this Valentine's Day and take good care of you!
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Mentoring is a hugely important part of what AACY and our volunteers do for our Caregiving Youth. If you've never considered being a mentor, or even if you've thought about it before, here are some reasons why you might want to give it a try! |
We are always looking for mentors to build a special bond with our Caregiving Youth. Please contact our Volunteer Manager Amanda Levine: amanda@aacy.org, if you or someone you know is interested in learning more about this unique and important volunteer opportunity. Thank You!
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FEATURED COMMUNITY PARTNER:
Great Charity Challenge
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We are so excited to announce that AACY has been chosen by one of our community partners, the Great Charity Challenge, to participate in this year's event! Our selection means that we have been entered to win at least $15,000, and possibly as much as $100,000, for Caregiving Youth! The event is free and exciting and features world-class equestrians. We hope you can attend with us!
Additionally, we are thankful to the Great Charity Challenge and their sponsor, Fidelity Investments, for working hard to support local nonprofits by putting on this free, fun, family-friendly event every year. Since the start, they have raised over $15 million for 276 local nonprofits! We hope you will join us on Saturday, February 5th, and support our team, sponsored by Equestrian Coterie and Vince and Patricia Kolber. For more information, visit www.greatcharitychallenge.com
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I'd like to give a very well-deserved shout-out to Ms. Danielle Hernandez, Guidance Counselor, in the 6th grade office at Conniston Middle School. Ms. Hernandez has consistently helped me successfully meet the students every time I visit the school. She is very familiar with the Caregiving Youth Project and everything we do for our students and families.
Ms. Hernandez has made my experience at Conniston very smooth – she always takes the hassle out of trying to find a place to meet students and run groups. Additionally, Ms. Hernandez is constantly aware of my Lunch & Learn dates and makes sure that I have a table set up at the front of the school cafeteria.
Moreover, Ms. Hernandez assures that the Caregiving Youth Project is announced during the lunch, so the students are aware of the program. The staff at Conniston have always been extremely welcoming to not only me, but the program as well.
I also want to give a shout-out to Conniston’s Ms. Rizzo, who kindly allows me to use her media center for group and to meet students one-on-one. It’s a pleasure visiting Conniston every week and I look forward to our continued partnership!
- Vania Astudillo, Family Specialist
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On January 31st 1971, Apollo 14 departed the Earth and headed for the moon
Apollo 14, piloted by astronauts Alan B. Shepard Jr., Edgar D. Mitchell, and Stuart A. Roosa, is successfully launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on a manned mission to the moon. On February 5, after suffering some initial problems in docking the lunar and command modules, Shepard and Mitchell descended to the lunar surface on the third U.S. moon landing. Upon stepping out of the lunar module, Shepard, who in 1961, aboard Freedom 7, was the first American in space, became the fifth astronaut to walk on the moon.
Shepard and Mitchell remained on the lunar surface for nearly 34 hours, conducting simple scientific experiments, such as hitting golf balls into space with Shepard’s golf club, and collecting 96 pounds of lunar samples. On February 9, Apollo 14 safely returned to Earth.
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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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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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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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Activities Recap & Preview |
By Gaby Alvarez, Activities Manager |
January was a month filled with fun, happiness, joy, and knowledge for you. We had great activities and events for all to enjoy.
On January 14th we all saw the movie premier of “Hotel Transylvania: Transformania”. We streamed the movie in the comfort of your homes with your families. Your feedback was that you enjoyed the movie and had a great time.
We then laced up our skates and headed to Atlantis Skateway for a field trip on January 17th. You and our CYP staff skated throughout the day and had a blast while spending quality time with your peers.
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We now officially have some magicians in our Caregiving Youth Project! On January 21st we had another visit from The Amazing Max to show off and teach some magic tricks. You all did great magic tricks and had so much fun. Then everyone vowed to never revel their secrets. |
Keep an eye out for more of these fun activities and when they will be happening. The invitations for upcoming events are sent via email and text so be sure to sign up when you receive that invitation, as spots are limited!
Also remember to follow us on Instagram as @caregivingyouthproject and like & share our posts.
If you believe your parent/guardian or you are not receiving these texts, email Gaby@aacy.org or call 561-362-2532 to be added to the list.
We hope to see you at our next event!
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By Rachel Viselman, MA, Behavior Health Care Manager |
Hello Caregiving Youth,
It has been a busy month with transitions back to school and academic testing. I hope the semester is off to a great start for all of you! As you delve further into this semester, you may be feeling more overwhelmed and stressed. Many people find it helpful to use a stress ball. Below you can find some instructions for how to make your own stress ball. It can be a fun project that will also help you relieve stress.
Here is what you will need for this project:
- A balloon
- A funnel
- Filler Cornstarch works best, but you can use rice, sand, or beans, or a combination)
- Blow up the balloon until it is about 4 to 5 inches in diameter. Do not tie it, but keep the balloon inflated as best you can.
- Pinch the top of the balloon shut, about 1 to 2 inches from the opening, leaving room for the funnel to be inserted into the neck of the balloon. If you don't have an assistant to help, use a clip to pinch the balloon.
- Place a funnel inside the opening of the balloon while still pinching the balloon closed. You may need help securing the funnel inside the balloon. Don’t worry if your balloon deflates a little, as this tends to happen during this step.
- Fill the top of the funnel with cornstarch, rice or beans using your free hand (or enlist a helper). It works best to add a small amount at a time.
- Carefully begin replacing the air with cornstarch by slowly letting go of where you're pinching the balloon so the cornstarch can slide into it. If you go too quickly, the air leaving the balloon will blow the cornstarch into the air and make a mess.
- Continue adding cornstarch to the funnel until the balloon is filled to a depth of about 3 inches. Continue adding small amounts of cornstarch to your funnel, moving slowly, and swirl the cornstarch around with your finger to help work it into the base of the funnel and into the balloon.
- Tie the balloon closed as near to the cornstarch as you can. Use scissors to cut off any excess balloon, making sure not to cut too close to the knot on the balloon.
- Decorate your stress ball and have fun with it!
If you are looking for someone to talk to, please do not hesitate to reach out. You can speak with your Family Specialist or give me a call at 561-320-8268.
“Happiness is a mood; Positivity is a mindset”
- Ms. Rachel
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College Prep & Scholarship Information |
It's that time of year, Juniors & Seniors! For many of you, College may be just around the corner, or perhaps you just want to get a head start? For more information on college prep, trade schools, and scholarships, please visit the scholarship page on our website or talk to your Family Specialist to find out what opportunities are available to you.
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For our next Caregiving Youth Connect Event and more opportunities on the horizon. We will have more updates soon. |
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