Care Fellows

The Care Fellowship unites caregivers and care recipients in a 4-month journey of learning and community building. Fellows share lived experiences, gain tools to shape care’s future, and explore pathways like organizing, policy change, and creative expression to strengthen the movement.

A group of Care Fellows smile and pose for a photo with Ai-jen Poo at CareFest.

Our Care Fellows represent some of the most dedicated activists in our network. Led by innate expertise drawn from their lived experiences and ideas, Care Fellows are changing the way care is seen, valued, and supported in the United States

Launched in 2019, the Care Fellowship is a four-month leadership development program designed for caregivers and care recipients ready to shape the future of care. Fellows receive training in community organizing, strategic communications, policy advocacy, and cultural change to build collective power and fight for the care we all need and deserve.

What is the Fellowship?

This fully virtual program brings together cohorts from California, Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, and the rest of the United States to learn, connect, and take action. Through interactive workshops, participants gain tools to engage their communities, share their stories with decision-makers, use art and social media for change, and explore their own impact in the care movement.

What Fellows Gain from the Program:

  • Confidence in advocacy – Develop the skills to speak about care with elected officials, community members, and fellow advocates.
  • Community organizing tools – Learn how to advocate for care through online and in-person efforts.
  • Mentorship and guidance – Connect with policy, communication, digital, and campaign experts to deepen your impact.
  • Creative storytelling and culture change strategies – Explore how storytelling, art, and culture can shift narratives and transform the way care is valued.
  • A powerful, intergenerational network – Join a growing community of over 400 Care Fellows many of whom are caregivers or care recipients.

FAQS

Frequently Asked Questions

Each Fellow receives a one-time award of $1,500 in appreciation for participation in the program. Fellows engage in a 60-hour learning experience, building skills in storytelling, organizing, policy advocacy, and cultural change while connecting with a supportive community of care advocates. This program offers an opportunity to learn, share, and collaborate with others who are committed to ensuring care is accessible, valued, and supported for all.

We are accepting applications through May 27, 2026, closing at 5 pm EST or when we receive 750 applications. The application process unfolds as follows: 

  • Application Review – All applications will be evaluated by June 9, 2026.
  • Initial Notifications – Applicants will be notified via email of their application status, receiving denial notices or offers to advance to interviews.
  • Interviews – If you’re chosen as a finalist,  you will be invited to participate in a 20-minute interview with a Caring Across Generations staff member between June 10-24, 2026.
  • Final Decisions – Applicants will be notified via email about their acceptance status by July 13, 2026.

*Please check your spam folder for any potential missed communications from our team

Can I apply if I am a paid family caregiver or care worker?
Yes! We welcome people who are paid family caregivers and folks who are getting paid to care for community members to apply for the fellowship.

What if I’m not currently caring for someone?
Apply! We welcome people who have been caregivers in the past — former caregivers are encouraged to join the Care Fellowship.

What if I receive care?
Please join us! The Care Fellowship is for recipients of care!

Can I apply with a friend, partner, or family member?
We ask for one application per person, please.

 

Reach out to the Care Fellowship team with your questions at fellowship@caringacross.org!

The 2026 Care Fellowship will include 100 participants sectioned out into cohorts of 20 Fellows each. We will have a cohort from California, Georgia, Illinois, and Michigan, as well as a national cohort welcoming caregivers, care recipients, and care workers from the rest of the United States.

Orientation for all accepted 2026 Care Fellowship cohort fellows will be on: 

Jul 30, 2026 at 3 pm – 5 pm PT / 4 pm – 6 pm MT / 5 pm – 7 pm CT / 6 pm – 8 pm ET 

All meetings are held from 5:30 pm – 8 pm local time, with breaks included via Zoom (an online meeting space). 

The dates for each session are as follows:

California

  • 8/4
  • 8/18
  • 9/1
  • 9/15
  • 10/6
  • 10/20
  • 11/17 (this is 3 hours long) 

*With optional online social sessions each month and capstone check-ins

Georgia

  • 8/5
  • 8/19
  • 9/2
  • 9/16
  • 10/7
  • 10/21
  • 11/18  (this session is 3 hours long) 

*With optional online social sessions each month and capstone check-ins

Illinois

  • 8/6
  • 8/20
  • 9/3
  • 9/17
  • 10/8
  • 10/22
  • 11/19 (this session is 3 hours long)

*With optional online social sessions each month and capstone check-ins

Michigan

  • 8/11
  • 8/25
  • 9/8
  • 9/22
  • 10/13
  • 10/27
  • 11/23 (this session is 3 hours long)

*With optional online social sessions each month and capstone check-ins

National

  • 8/12
  • 8/26
  • 9/9
  • 9/23
  • 10/14
  • 10/28
  • 11/24 (this session is 3 hours long) 

*With optional online social sessions each month and capstone check-ins

Each Fellow receives a one-time award of $1,500 in thanks for participation in the four-month program.

In-person events may become available throughout the course of the Care Fellowship. These events, put on by Caring Across Generations or our partners, are optional.

Care Fellows in the News

Care Fellow Jacquelyn Revere smiles with her family member.

Sponsor a Fellow

In 2019, we have grown the Fellowship into a multi-racial, intergenerational cohort of more than 100 fellows spread across four states. Your generous donation will help us continue this transformational program.

DONATE NOW