I already knew the one constant thing in life is change, which means we must learn how to adapt over and over. For caregivers, change is difficult without a network of support. For life to be a little less scary and lonely, we must become socially and culturally competent together. I thought cultural diversity meant identifying all groups as significant for many years, but not acknowledging true differences until the desire to bond with like minds became priority. Surely, there are others wanting services or need connection like me.

I spoke about self-awareness in podcast episode Caregiver Awareness, but another part of self-awareness is recognizing how our culture influences what others think and act upon. The Coronavirus pandemic created a culture clash that brought light to the disconnection and struggles caregivers have been facing. Nurses in all areas and assisted living staff experienced levels of exhaustion far greater than they ever imagined. Domestic caregivers became even more isolated than they already were before the pandemic. The awareness for connection and outlets is finally being noticed.

Lucinda Koza is the founder and CEO of I-Ally, a community-driven app that saves Millennial family caregivers time, reduces stress, and enables informed decision-making by providing services that fulfill their unique needs. She jumped to action when she suddenly found herself becoming her father's sole caregiver in 2018. Lacking support from every direction, Lucinda fell through the cracks of our cultural system.

Lucinda's life mission launched to advocate for the invisible family caregiver labor force. By tapping into her background as an actor she applied storytelling and digital strategy talent in hopes of making a difference. Using a technological solution for millennial family caregivers, she crafted a way to create community and utilize shared resources. Since founding I-Ally, Mrs. Koza has been named a Hero of the COVID Crisis by Authority Magazine and Thrive Global. She was acknowledged as a Visionary Voice by the All Raise Organization. Mrs. Koza remains a devoted family caregiver to her father and a TIME'S UP Care Economic Business Council member.