What is the KCK Youth Care Too! Movement?
Rarely, when "caregivers" are mentioned do you think of children. Yet, there are approximately 5.8 million children, ages 8-18, who serve as caregivers. Caregivers are not just adults, Youth Care Too! The KCK Youth Care Too! Movement focuses solely on the needs of caregiving youth. It is currently comprised of these three components: CARE, KONNECTION, and ADVOCACY.
How did the KCK Youth Care Too! Movement Start?
Kaylin is a secondary youth caregiver to her grandmother and was also to her great-grandmother, who passed away on January 29, 2022. In January 2021, Kaylin's mom contracted COVID-19, and she found herself having to step into the role of the primary caregiver for all three. With the help of family friends, Kaylin did the grocery shopping, laundry, cleaning, and caring. Although this was temporary for her, she couldn't help but think about those youth who are primary caregivers and she wanted to find a way to honor them. In February 2021, Kaylin's Caring Konnection, Inc. held our first Youth Caregiver Awareness Drive. The purpose of the drive was simply to recognize and celebrate the unselfish, outstanding, loving care that caregiving youth provide for their sick or disabled parents, siblings, or aging loved ones. The opportunity was given for youth ages 8-18 to be nominated to receive a Youth Caregiver Award. Through our efforts and with the help of our community partners, four (4) youth caregivers were awarded a combined total of $750. We wanted these awesome youth to know that we see them and while they care for others, we care for them. Although that drive ended, the efforts have continued and turned into the KCK Youth Care Too! Movement.
CARE
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Youth Caregiver Awareness Drives
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Youth Care Packages
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Youth Caregiver "Away Day" Fun Day
KONNECTION
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YCT Support Groups
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Volunteer Opportunities
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Partnerships
ADVOCACY
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Academic Support
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Service Hours
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Scholarships
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Resources
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Training
OUR CAREGIVER JOURNEY & HOW WE MAKE IT WORK
My mom and I were afforded the opportunity to share our journey of caring on the Alzheimer's Association's ALZ Talks Series. Our discussion was, "Dementia and the Whole Family." I hope that after you listen, you're inspired and empowered to share your own story. You're an AMAZING YOUTH CAREGIVER!