‘I love sharing my story.’ Caregiving youth honored for helping family members in need
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“These youth face a different set of challenges.”
That was the message WPEC-Ch.12 news anchor Matt Lincoln, emcee of the American Association of Caregiving Youth Champions Breakfast, wanted to convey to the organization’s supporters in attendance.
And 13-year-old Ali Enlow, a seventh-grader at Loggers’ Run Middle School in Boca Raton who helps care for her little sister with cerebral palsy, was a shining example of how children help their family members in need every day.
She told the audience gathered at the Boca Raton Marriott at Boca Center that she “loves caregiving so much.”
“Eva needs extra help showering and I put her to bed,” Ali said.
This is her second year involved with the Boca Raton-based organization that serves 505 youth in 35 Palm Beach County middle and high schools, who care for family members at home.
“Not only do I have a group of peers I connect with, but I can talk about things and now I have amazing support,” Ali said at the breakfast that she attended with her parents Adriana and Matthew Enlow, an emergency room nurse at West Boca Medical Center, and her sister, Eva, 7.
“Champions” honorees who were presented with trophies included:
Former AACY board chairwoman Rosie Inguanzo-Martin, her husband Joe Martin and their employees for Allegiance Home Health
Philanthropist Marta Batmasian, Investments Limited family business co-founder with her husband James Batmasian
Boca Raton Marriott’s President of Operations Ron Wichowski
“I see so many students helped who are missing out on their childhood,” Inguanzo-Martin said.
Since the organization does not receive government funding, board vice chairman Jeff Gordon said the kids need support through contributions.
“AACY is the first organization of our kind in our country, and came out of my experience caring for my grandfather,” said Connie Siskowski, ACCY’s founder and president.
Visit aacy.org.
