Young Caregiver Project
The Young Caregiver Project is a program being implemented by Boca Respite Volunteers and is in response to a Palm Beach County Florida-wide survey. The study showed that 12,500 students in grades 6-12 are actually student-caregivers of a family member who is ill, disabled, frail or suffering from substance abuse. It also confirmed that the student’s care giving responsibilities are adversely affecting their education and their lives. The pilot program in Palm Beach County will include a support group for student-caregivers, caregiver skills training and communication, respite, partnering with other agencies, establishing a website for the kids, developing services to assist families in supporting their children in this dual role.
Our Involvement
This spring, HOT issued a grant to pay for the extensive volunteer background checks that must be done and a new software program that was needed to get this project off the ground successfully. Additionally, some of our donors designated contributions to this project.
Most recently we funded a scholarship to recognize a student for both scholarship and "being a caregiver.” Administered through the George Snow Scholarship Foundation and inspired by Dr. Connie Siskowski and the Youth Caregiver Project (a program of Volunteers for the Homebound and Family Caregivers), Hands On Tzedakah is proud to be a funder of one of the three first such scholarships in the nation. (click on Boca Raton News to find out more Scholarships given to caregiving HS students)
Hands On Tzedakah strongly supports the ideals of this organization. Many items are needed and HOT is seeking $7,500 in support for their emergency fund and $5,000 for a gas allowance fund for qualified volunteers.
Contact Information
Caregiving Youth Project and Volunteers for the Homebound and Family Caregivers, Connie Siskowski, RN, PhD, Director, 3998 FAU Boulevard, #307, Boca Raton, Florida 33481-1525, Telephone: 561-391-7401, email: info@aacy.org or info@boca-respite.org web sites: www.aacy.org and www.boca-respite.org
