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Caregiver & Parent Engagement
You have carried so much. Now, you do not have to carry it alone.
Behind every military-connected child is a family navigating change, transition, service, identity, and sometimes invisible forms of caregiving.
Whether you are:
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A parent in active-duty service
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A veteran parent
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A reservist, dual military, or blended-service family
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A caregiver supporting a wounded warrior
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A grandparent or guardian
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A teen caregiver helping hold your home together
Your role is seen. Your strength is real. Your care is leadership.
The Military Child World Expo is a space where families are heard, honored, restored, and supported, not evaluated, advised, or judged.
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You have done enough proving. This is where you can simply *be*.
Why Teen Caregivers Are Centered at The Military Child World Expo 2026
Military-connected families often hold:
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Emotional labor of transition cycles
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Practical caregiving responsibilities
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Cultural adaptation across places and communities
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Silent resilience that is rarely acknowledged
At MCWE, we name this care as:
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Leadership
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Love
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Identity stewardship
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Community strength
This acknowledgment is the heart of The Promise We Carry.
What Teen Caregivers Will Experience
1. The Carrying the Torch of Care - Caregivers Breakfast (April 18, 2026)
A gathering honoring teen and adult caregivers, where stories are shared, care is acknowledged, and the Turn Care Into Credit (TCCSH) initiative is launched.
Location: Army Navy Country Club, 1700 Army Navy Dr., Arlington, VA 22202. From 8 AM - 12 PM
Care is not invisible. Care is honored here. Sponsored by BlueCross BlueShield Association.
2. The Promise of the Six Pavilion (April 25, 2026)
​A space designed for:
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Family reflection
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Cultural identity expression
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Storytelling and memory-marking
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Youth-led leadership and creativity
Parents and caregivers participate in:
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Reflection lounges
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Identity mapping
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Quiet grounding practices
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The Youth Marketplace and Sneaker Dripping™ design gallery
This is a space for connection, not comparison.
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Location: Hyatt Regency Crystal City, 2799 Richmond Hwy, Arlington, VA 22202
From 10 AM - 6 PM
3. Symposium Sessions (Independence Center A)
Caregivers may join shared learning circles on:
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The weight of caregiving
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Mental and emotional wellness
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Belonging through transitions
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Community leadership and advocacy
You do not need to speak. You are welcome simply to breathe and be present.
Support For Familes Who Attend
We offer:
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Quiet reflection zones
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Sensory-supported spaces
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Seating for nursing & feeding
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Teen caregiver connection circles
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Staff & volunteers trained in trauma-aware support language
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On-site cultural welcome guides
No family should ever have to navigate “being new” alone.
For Teen Caregivers
Many teens hold emotional or practical leadership in their homes.
We honor this role through:
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TCCSH — Turn Care Into Credit
Caregiving is recognized as leadership and service, eligible for:-
Community service hours
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Youth leadership credentials
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School & college résumé recognition
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Torch of Care Medallion Recognition
Awarded to youth whose care shapes family resilience and community strength.
Care is not a burden. Care is a legacy of love.
How Families Can Participate
[ Attend the Caregiver Breakfast ] - This Is An RSVP Event & You Must Be Registered To Attend
[ Participate in the Promise of the Six Pavilion ]
[ Join a Reflection or Story Circle ]
[ Receive TCCSH Care Recognition Information ]
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You have held so much together. Here, we hold you too.
