What does caregiving have to do with teens and young adults?  When the typical caregiver is an older female we may not think that teens are involved in caregiving.  But they are.  The National Family Caregivers Association reports 1.4 million children ages 8 to 18 provide care for an adult relative with 72% caring for a parent or grandparent based on a study, Young Caregivers in the U.S., conducted by the National Alliance on Caregiving.

The Caregiver Resource Network and the Grand Rapids Public Library are sponsoring a Youth Essay Contest “Caregiving: A Family Affair” to encourage young adults in grades 9-12 who are assisting in the care of a family member to share their experiences in an essay format.

Prizes for the top three essays (1st prize is a $100 Visa Card, 2nd prize is a $75 Visa Card, and 3rd prize is  a $50 Visa Card) will be awarded during the “Caregiving: A Family Affair” program on Saturday, November 14, at the Main Grand Rapids Public Library but the deadline for submitting essays is Thursday, October 29.

So, if you are a young adult involved in the caregiving process we’re interested in receiving your thoughts in an essay format.   Remember, you are not alone.  There is even a national association, the American Association of Caregiving Youth, devoted to younger caregivers, recognizing the important role they play within their families.

Filed under: Event, News, Research, Teens
Tags: caregiving, contest, Teens, young adults
by jdevries on October 14, 2009