November 5 marks the anniversary of Aaron Carter's passing. As we remember Aaron, we also want to recognize the meaningful work being done by his family to support children, young people, mental health, and overall wellness.
Since losing her twin brother, Angel Carter Conrad has channeled her experience and grief into advocacy for children's mental health, trauma awareness, and breaking cycles of generational dysfunction. Through her work with the Kids Mental Health Foundation, she has helped bring important conversations about childhood mental health into the spotlight.
Aaron’s older brother, Nick, has also demonstrated a longstanding commitment to charitable causes, including children's mental health, pediatric health, youth development, and community wellness. His support of the Kids Mental Health Foundation, and other organizations reflects a commitment to helping young people and families access resources, opportunities, and support.
We believe there is another important part of this conversation that deserves recognition: the connection between mental wellness and participation in sports, arts, and extracurricular activities.
A sports team, dance class, music program, theater group, or other organized activity can be so much more than something to fill a child's afternoon. These experiences can create a sense of belonging, build confidence, establish positive relationships with peers and mentors, provide structure, and give young people healthy outlets for stress and difficult emotions.
For some children, a coach becomes a trusted adult. A team becomes a second family. A creative outlet becomes a way to express feelings they don't yet have the words to communicate.
Not every child will find their place in the same activity, but every child deserves the opportunity to find something that makes them feel connected, capable, supported, and valued.
This November 5, we're inviting our community to turn remembrance into action.
In honor of Aaron, consider making a donation to an organization working to improve the lives of children and young people. Whether your passion is mental health awareness, trauma-informed support, pediatric care, youth sports, arts education, or access to extracurricular opportunities, there are meaningful ways to make a difference.
You can choose an organization connected to the Carter family's charitable work or support another nonprofit whose mission resonates with you. A donation of any size can help create opportunities, provide resources, and remind a young person that their future matters.
If donating money is not an option for you, there are countless other ways to support these causes. Sometimes the most meaningful contributions don't involve money at all. You can volunteer with a local youth organization, mentor a young person, coach a sports team, help a child access an arts or extracurricular program, attend a community mental health event, or simply make time to check in on someone who may be struggling.
You can also support wellness in the everyday moments that often matter most. Encourage a child to try a new activity. Help a neighbor find local resources. Be the person who listens without judgment. Offer to drive a young person to practice, support a school or community program, share mental health resources, or help create a welcoming space where people feel safe, included, and valued.
And this work isn't limited to children. Adults need connection, encouragement, healthy outlets, and access to wellness resources, too. Supporting a friend through a difficult season, encouraging someone to seek help, participating in community activities, volunteering, or helping reduce the stigma surrounding mental health are all meaningful ways to make a difference.
We invite you to make a pledge, whether big or small, to support youth and adult wellness in a way that is meaningful and realistic for you. It might be one hour of volunteering, one act of kindness, one conversation, one opportunity created for a young person, or a commitment to check in on someone more often. Every action counts, and collectively, those actions can help build stronger, healthier, more connected communities.
Here are a few of the causes that the Nick, Angel, and Aaron have been known to support:
Foundation for Recovery (Nevada)
Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times
We may not be able to change every circumstance a child faces, but we can help make sure they have people, places, and opportunities that give them a reason to believe in what's possible.
Remembering Aaron. Supporting the next generation. Turning love into action.