There are over 1.4 million youth caregivers from age 8-18 in the U.S. This “Hidden Population” suffers from a systemic lack of support from their schools and communities which can have dire consequences for a youth’s ability to succeed. In 2006, the Gates Foundation issued a report, The Silent Epidemic, which showed that 22% of high school dropouts leave school to care for family members. In 2015, after multiple encounters with youth caregivers, the Board of Directors of Caregivers Outreach Mentorship Empowerment (C.O.M.E) decided to expand beyond its dynamic work with adult family caregivers and establish the Youth Caregivers Initiative (YCI). Prior to 2015, there was only one other organization in the U.S. solely dedicated to providing support to youth caregivers, the American Association of Caregiving Youth (AACY). However, C.O.M.E. understood that there needed to be a multifaceted approach to bring the Youth Caregivers out of the shadows and into the light to finally receive the support they need, with that the Students Helping and Assisting Relative with Knowledge and Skills (SHARKS) Program was initiated. Learn More about the other YCI Initiatives.

 

C.O.M.E. began its work by first collecting data from 454 students from grade 6th to 11th   in School District 11 in the Bronx.  Of the 454 students,  43% were found to be youth caregivers. These students were assisting a sick, disabled or elderly person in or outside of the home. In addition to indicating that they were youth caregivers these youth also noted that:

 

• They felt isolated, ashamed, embarrassed about their role and/or afraid to share their caregiving status with their teacher, guidance counselor, school nurse, etc

• The role of youth caring had a detrimental impact on their schoolwork, social activities and stress level.

• They were not aware of how to express their needs and concerns.

 

This data confirmed the incredible need and The SHARKS Program was officially launched with students primarily recruited from PS/IS 83 in the Bronx. Currently, the SHARKS Program provides middle school aged youth caregivers, grades 6-8, with monthly support group services and respite activities to address the impact that youth caregiving has on a youth’s mind, body and social interactions. The support groups follow an evidence based developmentally appropriate curriculum designed to educate the youth participants on caregiving topics like caregiver burnout as well as help increase their social emotional skills with topics like effective self advocacy. SHARKS also take part in monthly respite activities designed to provide them a time to “just be kids” which includes trips, fun activities and other community service projects. In addition the program provides outreach and referral services to the families of the SHARKS.

 

Do you know a middle school ages youth caregiver in New York City? We are recruiting!

 

Are you a High School Aged youth Caregiver? Start a SHARKS Youth Leader Club at your school!