Elizabeth Dole Foundation and Wounded Warrior Project partner on campaign to recognize youth caring for service members and veterans
Washington, D.C. (April 15, 2025) – The Elizabeth Dole Foundation has launched a nationwide awareness campaign powered by Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) to recognize the estimated 5 million children and teens who help care for a wounded, ill, or injured service member or veteran.
Research shows that these young caregivers, named Hidden Helpers by the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, develop social intelligence and compassion through their caregiving responsibilities, and experience high rates of anxiety, difficulties in school, and feelings of isolation. The Elizabeth Dole Foundation and WWP have designed the campaign to reach young caregivers, validate their experiences, and surround them with meaningful resources and supportive communities.
“We, as a nation, have overlooked a generation of kids and teens who have spent much of their young lives caring for parents, grandparents, or other family members who have borne the physical and emotional effects of war,” said Steve Schwab, CEO, Elizabeth Dole Foundation. “This campaign is an invitation to our fellow Americans to join us as we provide these Hidden Helpers the support, they urgently need and the resources to thrive.”
The Elizabeth Dole Foundation launched the Hidden Helpers Coalition in 2021 with the support of WWP after releasing the first national study on military caregiver youth. The research revealed that kids and teens who are actively involved in the care of loved ones report alarming levels of stress, primarily due to increased responsibilities at home and the emotional effects of witnessing, firsthand, the wounds of combat. Young caregivers also experience delays in reaching key life milestones, such as high school graduation, because of their families’ overwhelming schedules. Hidden Helpers say they are proud to be part of military and veteran families and often admit that assisting with caregiving can sometimes be too much to bear.
“Wounded Warrior Project has proudly chaired the Hidden Helpers Coalition with the Elizabeth Dole Foundation since 2021 to highlight the unique needs of child and youth caregivers,” said Jennifer Silva, chief program officer at WWP. “Too often, these dedicated young men and women are not acknowledged for their sacrifices to support their veteran loved ones. Through this campaign, we strive to ensure they feel seen and have access to the support and resources they deserve. Together, we can unite, empower, and activate a supportive community to meet the needs of all Hidden Helpers.”
The Hidden Helpers awareness campaign will be carried on multiple channels beginning this spring, including social media. Caregiver youth and their families will be encouraged to join the Elizabeth Dole Foundation’s Family Resource Hub, also launched in partnership with WWP, which provides resources tailored to military caregiver families at every stage of their journey. The Hub includes a questionnaire that helps families find the right support for their specific needs. Organizations and individuals who wish to help caregiver kids and teens will be invited to connect with the Foundation on opportunities to join the coalition or to learn how to best assist caregiving families in their communities.
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About the Elizabeth Dole Foundation
The Elizabeth Dole Foundation is the preeminent organization empowering, supporting, and honoring our nation’s 14.3 million military and veteran caregivers–the spouses, parents, family members, and friends—who care for America’s wounded, ill, or injured service members and veterans at home. Visit elizabethdolefoundation.org for more information.
About Wounded Warrior Project
Since 2003, Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) has been meeting the growing needs of warriors, their families, and caregivers — helping them achieve their highest ambition. Learn more about Wounded Warrior Project.