MCEC Hosts Fall Caregiving Youth Leadership Program in San Antonio

HARKER HEIGHTS, Texas — The Military Child Education Coalition® (MCEC®) welcomed ten high school students from across the country to the Caregiving Youth Student Leadership Program (CYSLP), held October 3–7, 2025, in partnership with the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA).

Caregiving youth, also known as Hidden Helpers, are children and young adults who support or are impacted by the care needs of a wounded, ill, or injured service member. Through CYSLP, MCEC provides these students with a platform to develop leadership skills, explore resources and opportunities for life after high school, share their experiences, and connect with peers who understand their unique challenges.

Supported through the generosity of USAA and UTSA, the fall session featured workshops, campus tours, and team-building activities. Students participated in a storytelling workshop led by Dr. Thomas Porter of UTSA, a financial literacy session presented by USAA, a grief session with Paula Johnson of James Avery, and a volunteering-focused discussion with Jennifer and Maddie Prescott. UTSA students also guided participants through a tour of campus life.

Special excursions included a San Antonio River Barge tour, a team escape room challenge, and a memorable night at a San Antonio Spurs preseason game, where students toured the arena behind the scenes and received gift packages from the Spurs organization.

Students joined from California, South Carolina, North Carolina, Texas, and Washington. Represented schools included Camden High School; Alamo Heights High School, Madison High School; Medical Lake High School; Swansboro High School; Pleasant Valley High School; Academy of Arts, Science, and Technology; and Cole High School, as well as one home-schooled student.

Highlighting the impact of the program, one student reflected: “I am so grateful to be able to connect with everybody so quickly. The relationships we built this week are ones I will never forget.”

Julie Coffey, MCEC Student Well-being Manager, reflected on the week’s success: “Every time we bring these remarkable young people together, we see their strength, compassion, and leadership shine. They arrive as individuals from different states and experiences but leave as a close-knit community with a renewed sense of confidence and hope.”

Kyra Bush, MCEC Vice President of Education Services, added: “This program shows the resilience of caregiving youth and the importance of investing in their future. When we provide them with resources, guidance, and a supportive network, they thrive — and that benefits not only their families, but the communities they will lead.”

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For media inquiries:
Please contact the MCEC Director of Marketing, Karen Kirk, at Karen.Kirk@MilitaryChild.org.

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About the Military Child Education Coalition
Established in 1998, the Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC) is a nonprofit organization that solely exists to help the military-connected child and youth thrive. MCEC supports all military-connected children by educating, advocating, and collaborating to resolve education challenges associated with the military lifestyle and works to ensure they are college, work, and life-ready. Visit MilitaryChild.org to learn more.