Celebrate National Family Caregivers Month With all Your Hearts & Soles

BOCA RATON, Fla. - Oct. 4, 2016 - PRLog -- To raise awareness about caregiving youth and to honor family caregivers of all ages during National Family Caregivers Month, the American Association of Caregiving Youth (AACY) will be holding its annual benefit to drive caregiving youth awareness. According to Connie Siskowski, RN, PhD, President of AACY, "During this special month, it is important to remember that millions of youth also fulfill the caregiving role. In doing so, many sacrifice their education, health, well-being and childhood to provide care for family members who are ill, injured, elderly or disabled."

AACY is experiencing escalating requests for assistance directly from caregiving youth as well as other organizations. As of 2005 there were at least 1.3-1.4 million caregiving children ages 8-18 years old in the U.S. Of these, 38% provide care for a grandparent and 34% provide care for a parent. Because of these responsibilities, caregiving youth often face difficulties in school. In fact, 22% of young adults who dropped out of high school said they dropped out to care for a family member.

AACY, through its local Caregiving Youth Project, has worked with more than 1,100 middle and high school students since its inception in 2006. Its services begin with youth in 6^th grade and continue through high school.  Partnership with The School District of Palm Beach County is strong as together caregiving youth become educated, healthy high school graduates with the majority going on to post-secondary institutions.

The name Hearts and "Soles" promotes awareness and supports caregiving children who are filling big shoes. The $175 event ticket includes an open bar, dinner, dancing, music, wine wall, games and silent auction. Special guest Keith Byars, former NFL Pro Bowler will kick off the fun filled football themed evening. The 9^th Annual AACY Hearts and "Soles" Fundraising Event is Saturday, November 5, 2016 tailgate reception begins at 6:30pm.

The Polo Club, 5400 Champion Blvd, Boca Raton, FL 33496
To Donate, for Sponsorships or to Attend, contact: Gerry Fallon (gerry@aacy.org), 561-391-7401

For Information About AACY:
Dr. Connie Siskowski (connie@aacy.org)
American Association of Caregiving Youth (www.aacy.org)

About the American Association of Caregiving Youth

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 AACY is the only organization of its kind in the United States solely dedicated to addressing the issues surrounding the silent, vulnerable and hidden population, conservatively estimated to exceed 1.4 million children, who provide care for ill, injured, elderly or disabled family members.  Its mission is to increase awareness and provide support services for youth caregivers and their families by connecting them with healthcare, education and community resources.  AACY's model program, the Caregiving Youth Project (CYP), works in partnership with The School District of Palm Beach County.  Dr. Connie Siskowski, the organization's founder was a 2012 CNN Top Ten Hero.