Formerly The Caregivers Guardian Education and Advocacy (TCGE&A)
5,400,000 youth provide care for families in the U.S
* Source: AARP and the National Alliance for Caregiving (2020)
Welcome
A world where caregiving youth and their families are empowered, inspired, and supported as they navigate the caregiving journey
To empower caregiving youth and their families through heart-centered education, advocacy, support, and collaboration
Our journey began with a simple yet profound question from a 12-year-old: “What do you do for kids?” When our founder, Nadine Roberts Cornish, heard these words, it sparked a transformative realization. For 13 years, The Caregivers Guardian, LLC (TCG) had been supporting family caregivers but had never considered the unique challenges faced by youth in caregiving roles
Belle was 12 years old when she began caring for her granddad.
By the time she was 16, Belle was overwhelmed, frustrated, and simply wanted to be a normal teenager. When she was interviewed by Nadine in November of 2022, she was a Junior in high school, doing well academically with a 3.4 GPA and participating in one extra-curricular activity at school.
Being on the drill team was her only outlet. She loved dancing but was rarely able to go out with the team after practice or a game because of her caregiving responsibilities. Belle had earned her CNA license. When told how admirable it was that she was caring for her granddad and that we would like to celebrate her, Belle said:
"I don’t want to be celebrated, I need help."
Fast forward a year later. Belle has left Denver and is living in Dallas in a motel room with an older sibling. Her granddad passed and Belle didn’t come back for his services. Belle will be 18 next year and she’s currently not in school. There were no support services for Belle and no safety net to keep her from falling through the cracks.
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 expected results in June 2024 will shed light on the number of youth caregivers across Colorado.
In August 2023, TCGE&A officially became a non-profit organization.
Programs
Collaboration and advocacy with organizations/partners to deliver innovative programs to enable youth caregivers to thrive on their caregiving journey.
Support Groups that provide a safe and welcoming environment for youth and their families
Equip youth caregivers, their families, and community members with skills to effectively communicate their needs and advocate for policy changes
Through impactful education initiatives, we empower the wider community with the knowledge needed to understand, empathize with, and effectively support youth caregivers.
Collaboration and advocacy with organizations/partners to deliver innovative programs to enable youth caregivers to thrive on their caregiving journey.
Support Groups that provide a safe and welcoming environment for youth and their families
Equip youth caregivers, their families, and community members with skills to effectively communicate their needs and advocate for policy changes
Through impactful education initiatives, we empower the wider community with the knowledge needed to understand, empathize with, and effectively support youth caregivers.
Donate today to help us provide essential resources and support for youth caregivers and their families.
By volunteering your time, and spreading awareness about CACY, together we can ensure that caregiving youth thrive.
Join our community of supporters and make a meaningful impact in the lives of caregiving youth today! Click on the drop-down on the form below and learn more about our upcoming “volunteer opportunities”.
Are you passionate about making a meaningful impact in the lives of caregiving youth? Do you possess valuable expertise and insights that could help shape the future of caregiving youth?
If so, we want YOU to consider joining our dynamic team of board members! We seek enthusiastic individuals eager to contribute their skills, knowledge, and diverse perspectives to our board.
If you’re ready to make a difference and become an integral part of our team, we invite you to click on the pull-down menu to learn more about “ board opportunities”
Please contact us and let us know if you are a caregiving youth or family member of a youth caregiver, a potential partner, or would like to collaborate with us.
820 S. Monaco Parkway
#342 Denver CO 80224
(720) 856-0475
Your support can make a difference. Donate today to help us provide essential resources and support for youth caregivers and their families. Whether through financial contributions, volunteering your time, or spreading awareness, together we can ensure that youth caregivers thrive.
Join our community of supporters and make a meaningful impact today!