Advocacy & Awareness
Caregiving Youth: The Hidden Backbone of Families
When we think of caregivers, we often picture adults: parents
April 14, 2026
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Colorado Alliance For Caregiving Youth
Did You Know?
5,400,000 youth provide care for families in the U.S
* Source: AARP and the National Alliance for Caregiving (2020)
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Colorado Alliance for Caregiving Youth (CACY)
– Empowering caregiving youth and their families through heart-centered education, support, and collaboration.
– Empowering caregiving youth and their families through heart-centered education, support, and collaboration.
Welcome
We are dedicated to addressing the often overlooked needs of youth caregivers and their families and boldly pronouncing
“Youth Caregivers Matter!”
Vision
A world where caregiving youth and their families are empowered, inspired, and supported as they navigate the caregiving journey
Mission
To empower caregiving youth and their families through heart-centered education, advocacy, support, and collaboration
Inspiration
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
Why This Work Matters
Caregiving youth are far more common than most people realize, and the numbers below highlight the scale of the issue in Colorado and across the nation.
Youth caregivers across the U.S.A provide essential care at home.
0
M
Of Colorado middle school students report caregiving responsibilities.
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%
Of Colorado high school students are actively caring for a family member.
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%
Of students in some Colorado districts provide caregiving at home.
0
%
- She simply wanted to be a normal teenager...
Leadership & Board of Directors:
Lisa Givens
Board Chair
Erin Myrent
Board Vice Chair
Sarah Downey
Board Treasurer
Janet Bailey
Board Secretary
Nadine R. Cornish
Founder & Executive Director
Deanne Drda
Board Member
Rosalyn Reese
Board Member
Dr. Anne Thomas
Board Member
Aria Flis-Chen
Board Member
Justine Taylor
Board Advisor, CACY Youth Champion
Fartuna Abdirahman
Board Advisor, CACY Youth Champion
Lori Goodwine
Board Advisor, Communications and Marketing Consultant
Sponsors & Partners:
We are grateful for the support of our partners and sponsors who help make our work possible.
Programs
What we know for sure is that the needs of caregiving youth are great.
Here’s a snapshot of what we in collaboration with organizations and schools serving youth plan to offer and accomplish:
Here’s a snapshot of what we in collaboration with organizations and schools serving youth plan to offer and accomplish:
Do You Know A Caregiver?
Hearing from caregiving youth is essential. If you are or know a young caregiver, please complete this short survey
🕡 5 Min Survey
Partner With Us
Interested in partnering with CACY? Please complete this short survey
🕡 3 Min Survey
How You Can Help
Your Support Can Make A Difference
Donate today to help us provide essential resources and support for youth caregivers and their families.
VOLUNTEER – The Gift Of Your Time Is A Wonderful Way To Give Back
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”.
GET ON BOARD
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”
Latest From Our News Desk
Media Advisories
Next50 Invests $50,000 in Colorado Alliance for Caregiving Youth to Advance Support for Caregiving Families
For Immediate Release Denver, CO — The Colorado Alliance for
March 10, 2026
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Press Releases
Colorado General Assembly Passes House Joint Resolution 26-1019 Recognizing Caregiving Youth
Denver, CO — The Colorado General Assembly has formally passed
March 2, 2026
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Contact Us
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.
Phone:
720-702-3228
Location:
7535 E. Hampden Avenue
Suite 400
Denver, CO 80231
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Young Caregivers Matter
- There are 5.4 Million young caregivers throughout the U.S and that number is thought to be grossly underestimated.
Join us in empowering Caregiving Youth!
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!