Caregiving Youth Project of the Volunteers for the Homebound & Family Caregivers
TREASURE TALK
Caregiving Youth Project Newsletter

Caregiving Youth Projects help identify, recognize, educate and support kids who care for family members. This allows them to achieve success, have fun, and make new friends, while promoting academic growth.
In This Issue
CYP Featured in The New York Times
CYP Public Service Announcements
CYP Youth Caregiver Featured
Black History Month: Profile of a Caregiver
The Nature of Success
FCAT Tips Continued
Quote of the Month
Quick Links
American Association of Caregiving Youth

American Association of Caregiving Youth Facebook Cause

Alzheimer's Foundation of American Teens

Caregiving Youth Project Facebook Page

Generations United

National Multiple Sclerosis Society

UK Young Carers Initiatives

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Issue: #10 February 2009
Dear Reader,

Take a deep breath - the final weeks of FCAT time are here for this year! Is this a time when you must do something you think you cannot do? Erase that thought from your mind! Replace it with I will "just do it" to the very best of my ability. Then celebrate every successful step along the way and know that we celebrate with you!

Connie Siskowski, RN, PhD
Founder and Director
IN THE NEWS!
CYP youth caregivers featured in The New York Timesnewspaper
UPDATE!
psa CYP Public service announcements up and running

 Click here to view the 1st PSA!
CYP YOUTH CAREGIVER FEATURED  
 jerry stackhouse...in Boca Raton Magazine 
Alexandria Knapp is off to a busy start in 2009.  She was invited to attend the Presidential Inauguration and had a wonderful experience in Washington, DC.
 
Alex and her father, Stephen, ar featured in the Boca Raton Magazine's January issue.  She says, "I don't do the same things that everyone else gets to do with their dads.  But I get to talk with him about random things.  My friends don't talk to their dads like I do."
  
BLACK HISTORY MONTH: PROFILE OF A CAREGIVER
Jerry Stackhouse

The NBA star of the Dallas Mavericks has witnessed firsthand thejerry stackhouse devastating effects of diabetes. Both of his parents suffer from the disease, and two of his sisters died from it when they were in their 40s. Since then he has dedicated himself to educating people about diabetes, especially African Americans.

Jerry created The Triple Threat Foundation to raise funds for diabetes research and to inform youth about prevention.  The Foundation encourages people to make behavioral changes that decrease their risk of developing the disease and other medical conditions caused by obesity.

Click here to watch Jerry Stackhouse's Public Service Announcement

Click here to find out more information about Jerry Stackhouse and The Triple Threat Foundation
 
THE NATURE OF SUCCESS 
success Overcoming adversity

Do you ever feel overwhelmed by all the hardships you face - like every time you take a step forward, life pushes you two steps back? At times, life can seem too difficult to handle.
However, it is because of these struggles that you are who you are today. You are stronger because you have had to overcome adversity.

When you are resilient, you can cope with and endure whatever life throws at you. You can change the outcome of any situation you are in if you build on your ability to bounce back.
  • Realize your direction and follow the road to your dreams!
  • Take charge of your circumstances and be proactive!
  • Set short term and long term goals to ensure success!
  • Be determined and persistent!
  • Surround yourself with people who support you!
Road blocks to our dreams are inevitable, but it's how we react to them that matters. Maintaining a good attitude will allow you to survive the storms and to realize, that without rain, there would be no rainbows.

Click here to watch the Nature of Success video!
FCAT TIPS CONTINUED...
The day of the testfcat
We hoped you enjoyed the CYP FCAT Survival Kits we recently distributed.
  • Pencil and sharpener so you are always on point
  • Peppermint lifesaver to keep yourself afloat and calm
  • Blueberry breakfast bar to begin your day with the "Brain Berry"
  • Post-it flags to make sure you stick to it
Here are some suggestions for the day of the test:
  1. Make sure you get plenty of sleep the night before, eat a good breakfast and stay hydrated.
  2. Try and relax and think positively; tell yourself you can do this!
  3. Listen carefully to all test-taking directions given by the teacher and ask questions about the directions that are not clear.
  4. The FCAT is a timed test.  Concentrate and work at a steady pace.
  5. Don't leave blanks - there is no penalty for guessing or for wrong answers.
  6. When all test taking is complete, enjoy the rest of the day and be proud of your effort. We all believe in you!
Click here for more FCAT tips
QUOTE OF THE MONTH
flowerwithrain"Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass...
It's about learning how to dance in the rain!"
                                         -Unknown
Millie Barber, MD and Jen Craven, Literacy AmeriCorps Member
Caregiving Youth Project
of  Volunteers for the Homebound & Family Caregivers