Balancing Hip Hop and Caregiving- A Young Carer Raps His Story
PRESS RELEASE
July 3, 2012
For more information contact: audrey@caregiverproject.ca, 416 658 8887
The CaregiverProject News Flash
Balancing Hip Hop and Caregiving- A Young Carer Raps His Story
We are very pleased to announce the launch of The CareGiverProject YouTube channel featuring an amazing performance by critically acclaimed rap artist, Tricky P. ‘Lucky’ The Young Carer Rap video highlights the important research conducted by the Vanier Institute of the Family on Young Carers.
When we think of people providing care to adults and seniors, we tend to picture an older family member. Yet researchers have found that approximately 12% of young Canadians aged 12-17 are ‘young carers’. These children are caring for a family member who has an illness, a disability, or is affected by mental ill-health or substance misuse. Carers don’t choose to become carers: it just happens and they have to get on with it; if they did not do it, who would and what would happen to the person they care for?
Young carers often take on practical and/or emotional caring responsibilities that would normally be expected of an adult. Children as young as six years of age are assisting parents, siblings and grandparents in ways that exceed what is typically expected.
The research and video is intended to bring awareness of young carers to other youth, organizations, companies and individuals alike who can acknowledge, appreciate and support their unrecognized contribution and challenges. By heightening public awareness, it is hoped that in addition to recognition, additional funding, support and resources will be made available to young carers from coast to coast.
This engaging and heartfelt rap video is produced by Audrey Miller, Sid Lieberman and J. Frank. Lyrics and performance by Tricky P. and original music composed and produced by J. Frank.
Watch, share and tweet your support!
Watch our CareGiver Project videos on YouTube.
The CareGiverProject is a web-based public education initiative committed to increasing awareness of aging, family and caregiver issues that impact the lives of Canadians from coast to coast. The Project focus is on the development of social media tools and videos for YouTube that provide support and education to individuals, families, carers and their care recipients and to organizations doing work in this field. To learn more about the Project or to partner in the production of a video, contact: audrey@caregiverproject.ca or sid@caregiverproject.ca.
