Speaking Before Austin City Council at 15: The Beginning of My Advocacy Journey

At 15 years old, I stood before the Austin City Council to speak about a group of young people most had never heard of: Caregiving Youth.

I was nervous.

I had spoken in front of groups before, but this felt different. I knew I wasn't just sharing my own story. I was speaking for millions of children and teens who quietly help care for a parent, grandparent, sibling, or other loved one every day.

My journey began with my grandmother, Mimi.

As Alzheimer's disease progressed, I found myself helping in ways I never expected. I learned how to redirect conversations, provide reassurance, and support someone I loved through moments of confusion and uncertainty.

For years, I thought I was simply being a granddaughter.

Then I learned there was a name for young people like me: Caregiving Youth.

When I discovered there are more than 5.4 million Caregiving Youth across the United States, I was shocked. Even more surprising was how few people knew they existed.

That realization inspired me to speak up.

When I addressed the Austin City Council, my goal was simple. I wanted city leaders to understand that children and teenagers are often caregivers too. I wanted them to recognize that many young people are balancing school, activities, friendships, and family caregiving responsibilities all at the same time.

What I learned that day was that advocacy is not about giving one speech.

Advocacy is about starting a conversation.

Following that meeting, I continued working with city leaders, Austin Public Health, educators, researchers, and community organizations. The conversations didn't end when I stepped away from the podium. In many ways, they were just beginning.

One of the most meaningful opportunities that followed was partnering with Austin Public Health and students from The University of Texas at Austin.

Over the past several years, I have worked alongside multiple cohorts of UT students who wanted to better understand the experiences of Caregiving Youth. Together, we explored ways to identify young caregivers and learn more about the challenges they face.

I learned that meaningful change requires more than passion.

It requires collaboration.

It requires research.

And it requires people who are willing to listen.

Working with the students taught me that data and personal stories are equally important. Stories help people understand the human side of an issue. Research helps create solutions.

I also learned that change takes time.

Not every idea becomes reality overnight. Not every conversation leads to immediate action. Sometimes progress happens one meeting, one partnership, and one relationship at a time.

Those experiences helped me grow as an advocate.

They taught me how to communicate with community leaders.

They taught me how to work alongside organizations with different perspectives and expertise.

Most importantly, they taught me that young people can help create real change when they are willing to use their voices.

Today, I continue to stay involved with community partners, researchers, educators, and organizations that support Caregiving Youth. Through Giving Grace: Advocating for Caregiving Youth, I have been able to share this message with thousands of students, families, healthcare professionals, social workers, and care managers.

Looking back, speaking before the Austin City Council was not the biggest accomplishment.

The biggest accomplishment has been everything that happened afterward.

The relationships.

The partnerships.

The conversations.

The opportunity to continue raising awareness for Caregiving Youth.

At 15 years old, I learned that one voice can start a conversation.

At 17, I have learned that continued advocacy is what creates lasting change.

That lesson continues to guide me every day.