Colorado Alliance for Caregiving Youth (CACY)

Background Statement

CACY (Colorado Alliance for Caregiving Youth) is an independent nonprofit organization that emerged as a by-product of The Caregivers Guardian. While both entities share common themes, CACY operates as a separate entity with its own mission, vision, and governance structure.

At Colorado Alliance for Caregiving Youth(CACY), we envision a world where youth caregivers are no longer hidden heroes but recognized pillars of strength in their communities. In this world, youth caregivers exude greater confidence as they navigate the complexities of caregiving with a newfound sense of empowerment. They have the knowledge, skills, and resources to make informed decisions, leading lives with purpose while advocating for themselves and their loved ones with ease.

Why We Do This Work

According to the 2023 Colorado Healthy Kids Survey, 20.5% of middle school students and 12.4% of high school students in Colorado identify as youth caregivers. These students provide care for a family or household member who is chronically ill, elderly, or disabled. This significant percentage underscores the importance of supporting youth caregivers, who often face unique challenges in balancing their academic, personal, and caregiving responsibilities.

5,400,000 youth provide care for families in the United States. (AARP and the National Alliance for Caregiving (2020))

In 2022, in collaboration with the American Association of Caregiving Youth (AACY) and a coalition of organizations across Colorado, TCG spearheaded an effort to include caregiving-related questions in the Colorado Healthy Kids bi-annual survey. This groundbreaking initiative marked the first time the state would collect data on caregiving from middle and high school students. The results, expected in March 2024, will shed light on the actual number of youth caregivers across Colorado.

In August 2023, CACY officially became a non-profit organization.