March 29, 2021—BOCA RATON, FL-

“Now that we have this food, we can use our money to pay some bills,” claimed one of 60 families who participated in the new Food Pool of the American Association of Caregiving Youth (AACY).

Thanks to a grant from the Town of Palm Beach United Way, AACY began a creative approach to helping sixty of their financially insecure families have nutritious food. The families selected their food from a list of options, which was then ordered by AACY and delivered via Instacart or Shipt.

The unique AACY project was headed by Cinthia Joas, MSW and AACY North County Team Leader.  First, among the more than 450 Caregiving Youth families that AACY serves, the AACY team selected families most in need of food for this pilot program. Previously, AACY volunteer and philanthropist Arline McNally developed a successful mini food project using Instacart, which came about when COVID-19 struck last year.

When asked for advice about her experience, Arline commented on both the importance of families having input over what food they would receive, and the sense of joy experienced by those who delivered the food. Hearing about these 60 families in need, Arline stepped up to the plate to volunteer herself, her family, and friends to participate in this larger project.

“One of our daughters did an Instacart delivery to an AACY family. The Instacart shopper/driver was so touched by the family’s elation with the food gift, he called my daughter to ask for more information about AACY, so that he could get his church involved to help these needy families,” Arline said.

Dr. Connie Siskowski, AACY President and Founder, learned from Gloribel Jimenez, MSW and AACY Family Specialist that one of the young boys whose family received groceries, said that they never had so much food in his house at one time!  Helping to meet the basic needs of families relieves some of the stress on our youth so they can learn. “It is one of the reasons why we do what we do at AACY,” Siskowski said.

AACY would like to continue its Food Pool project. To do so it needs and welcomes the support of the greater community. To donate to AACY, volunteer or for more information go to www.aacy.org, email info@aacy.org or call 561-391-7401.

March 2, 2021—BOCA RATON, FL- The American Association of Caregiving Youth (AACY) is hosting a Game Night fundraiser to benefit the middle and high school Caregiving Youth they serve. These students all assist family member(s) who are chronically ill, injured, elderly or disabled.

Game Night will be held on Monday, March 29 at 6 p.m. at Crazy Uncle Mike’s in Boca Raton. AACY Board Member and Treasurer, Debralyn Belletieri, is leading the planning effort; and special guest emcee Vice Mayor Robert Weinroth will be on hand to host the event.

“We are planning a safe, fun night out in support of AACY,” Debralyn said. “This is a new fundraising idea for us, and we believe it will be a hit!”

Modeled after the popular game show, this Family Feud-style Game Night will feature teams of up to five people, competing against one another to name the most popular responses to questions.

AACY President and Founder Connie Siskowski, RN, PhD added, “We are grateful to Michael Goodwin, the owner of Crazy Uncle Mike’s, for the opportunity to host our fundraiser there safely, in a great space with bountiful food and drink. We have a fun evening planned and look forward to seeing you in person!”

For more information or to sign up for Game Night, please visit this link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/aacy-game-night-tickets-142124475131.

Founded in 1998 by Dr. Siskowski, what is now AACY currently serves more than 400 caregiving youth (with more enrolled each day), in 33 middle and high schools throughout Palm Beach County; and proudly boasts the Caregiving Youth Project (CYP), founded in 2006 which has served more than 1,800 caregiving youth and their families. The CYP provides professional services in school, out of school and at home as well as supports students and their families with a myriad of needs-driven wraparound services with the help of collaborating partners.

The AACY is a Florida based 501(c) (3) non-profit corporation. Today it is the only organization of its kind in the United States for addressing the issues surrounding the silent, vulnerable, and hidden population, conservatively estimated to exceed 5 million children ages 8-18 years who provide care for chronically ill, injured, elderly or disabled family members.  In partnership with schools, it prioritizes students in greatest need of services and increases their ability to remain in school through counseling, education, activities, mentorship, and respite while strengthening families by linking them with community services. To donate to AACY, volunteer or for more information go to www.aacy.org, email info@aacy.org or call 561-391-7401.

January 27, 2021—BOCA RATON, FL- The American Association of Caregiving Youth (AACY) is collecting Valentine’s Day cards, letters, and any other small tokens of love and appreciation for the middle and high school Caregiving Youth they serve, in honor of Valentine’s Day on Sunday, February 14.  These students all assist family member(s) who are chronically ill, injured, elderly or disabled.

AACY Board Member and Treasurer, Debralyn Belletieri, came up with the idea to send each of the youth Valentine’s Day cards, a project that her vibrant, 94-year-old mother-in-law was thrilled to help with.

“She loves to keep busy and a project like this is perfect for her,” Debralyn said. “Then I thought, why not reach out to our community who have been so incredibly generous and supportive of AACY, our efforts, and our Youth. Every time we ask for help, support, volunteers, items, you name it, our community is there.”

“Caregiving Youth are at the heart of all that AACY does,” AACY President and Founder Connie Siskowski, RN, PhD said. “Especially in this time of isolation for so many, reaching out to our community in support of our Youth is mutually beneficial. People want to help others and feel needed in return.”

Items (suggestions include: ring pops, sweethearts, gummy candies, heart stress balls, lip gloss, red nail polish, Beanie Baby-sized stuffed animals, or anything with small hearts on it) for AACY may be dropped off or mailed to the AACY office at 6401 Congress Ave. Suite 200 in Boca Raton; or can be arranged for pick up. Financial contributions are also graciously accepted, and may be made online at aacy.org. All items and donations must be received before Wednesday, February 10.

For more information on how to help with the AACY Valentine’s Day project or AACY, please contact Kelly Cronin, Communications Manager at: 561.391.7401 or by email: kelly@aacy.org

Founded in 1998 by Dr. Siskowski, what is now AACY currently serves more than 400 caregiving youth (with more enrolled each day), in 32 middle and high schools throughout Palm Beach County; and proudly boasts the Caregiving Youth Project (CYP), founded in 2006 which has served nearly 1,800 caregiving youth. The CYP provides professional services in school, out of school and at home as well as supports students and their families with a myriad of needs-driven wraparound services with the help of collaborating partners.

The American Association of Caregiving Youth (AACY) is a Florida based 501(c) (3) non-profit corporation that began serving the greater Boca Raton community in 1998. Today it is the only organization of its kind in the United States for addressing the issues surrounding the silent, vulnerable, and hidden population, conservatively estimated to exceed 5 million children ages 8-18 years who provide care for chronically ill, injured, elderly or disabled family members.  In partnership with schools, it prioritizes students in greatest need of services and increases their ability to remain in school through counseling, education, activities, and respite while strengthening families by linking them with community services. To donate to AACY, volunteer or for more information go to www.aacy.org, email info@aacy.org or call 561-391-7401.