Press Alert | October 7, 2025

Caregiving Youth Advocate Rimbatara Neomardhika (Neo) Nominated for 2025 Leon David Simmons Caregivers Award by Caregivers Outreach Mentorship Empowerment Inc.

We are pleased to announce that Rimbatara Neomardhika (Neo) has been nominated for the 2025 Leon David Simmons Caregivers Award. He was nominated by Maria Miranda, LMSW, Aging in Place Social Worker, Advocate for Family Caregivers, and member of the American Association of Caregiving Youth (AACY) National Advisory Council, in recognition of his extraordinary care for his father following a stroke and for his leadership in advocating for Caregiving Youth.

Neo’s voice has become an important part of the national caregiving movement. He represented AACY at the United Nations screening of the WETA/PBS documentary Caregiving in June 2025, where he received an official UN pin from Charles Katoanga of the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs. He was the only youth under 18 to respond to AACY and PBS Well Beings’ national call for stories, creating a seven-part Instagram video journal that captured the emotions, challenges, and resilience of youth caregiving with honesty and originality. His storytelling, along with the support of his family, has helped bring visibility to the more than 6 million Caregiving Youth across the U.S.

The Leon David Simmons Caregivers Award honors family caregivers whose dedication, compassion, and selflessness have made a significant impact in the lives of their loved ones.

In celebration of National Family Caregivers Month, Caregivers Outreach Mentorship Empowerment Inc. (COME) will host its 19th Annual Family Caregiver Award Gala on Saturday, November 15, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Maestro’s Caterers, 1703 Bronxdale Avenue, Bronx, NY 10462.

Neo’s Video Journal | Caregiving Youth | 7-Part Series

Footnote:
Special thanks to Neo’s parents, Dita W. Yolashasanti (Instagram) and Pinot (Instagram), as well as his siblings and family, for their openness in sharing their caregiving journey. Their willingness to tell their story makes a world of difference in raising awareness and understanding of Caregiving Youth everywhere.