On September 11, 2001, America was devastated by terrorist attacks. That day will live on in so many American memories as our nation’s greatest tragedy, but the tragedy was even more personal for those who lost someone that day. More than 3,000 children lost a parent, sibling, or guardian on 9/11/01, and Comfort Zone Camp came to New York to help them grieve, heal, and grow.
Though the intention was always to expand beyond our home base in Richmond, Virginia, and bring camp to more people, the right time had not presented itself. After September 11, 2001, there was no more waiting for the right time. CEO and Founder Lynne Hughes knew it was essential to respond to our nation’s greatest tragedy as quickly as possible.
“I knew we had a proven program and needed to respond. At the time, we were one of the only bereavement programs in the country.” Says Lynne.
Lynne mobilized; she gathered as many resources as she could, found volunteers, loaded them into a bus from Virginia, and brought the Comfort Zone Camp bubble to the children of 9/11 victims in November of 2001.
Among the volunteers in 2001 was Mitch Decter, who still remembers his first camp experience.
“I really didn’t know what to expect when I went to my first 9/11 camp. During that time period, everyone’s thoughts were consumed with terrorism, and we were all still glued to the TV reliving that awful day. During the first camp, it was both refreshing and enlightening that my perspective changed – instead of focusing on all of the negativity, I turned my attention to how I could be a part of each child’s grief journey. It was a bit confusing at that time to think that something really good was happening while the rest of the world focused on the bad. Little did we know at that first camp that we were building something really special. A community of families that endured so much but came to Comfort Zone to begin the healing process.” Says Mitch.
“Comfort Zone provided a forum that these families desperately needed. While still grappling with trying to understand why this took place, we provided a safe place for the children to learn that they were not alone, and they had an army of people behind them that were committed to being a shoulder to lean on. We didn’t have all of the answers, but we were able to provide laughs and smiles that went missing from their day-to-day lives. At school, these children were labeled “the kid who lost a parent on 9/11” while at camp, they were just like everyone else – a child looking to heal, connecting with friends that no one at home could ever possibly understand. Not surprisingly, these children kept coming back. We were able to see their transformations. The feelings of shock and anger began to dissipate, and we knew we were a part of something really special.”
Amongst those families was Katie Pereira, an eight-year-old whose father was killed in the World Trade Center attacks.
“After my dad died, our world was turned upside down. I was angry and sad and had a hard time navigating through all of the emotions I felt. I felt alone and isolated when I was in school and my everyday life. I began to be scared of what my future would look like. Would I be able to survive in this world without my dad? How would I get through the harder days of my grief? I was worried that something would happen to my mom and did not want to leave her side. All I wanted to know is if I would be okay.” Says Katie.
Katie spent her time at camp connecting with other kids her age who had experienced a loss just like her own.
“Going to camp, I finally felt like I was not alone. I learned coping skills and that it is okay to feel what you are feeling. You can be sad, but you can also be happy. The most important thing was that I no longer felt like I had the words dead dad tattooed on my forehead. ”
After attending camp for years, Katie grew up to become a volunteer Big Buddy and is now a staff member at Comfort Zone Camp.
“It’s powerful that 20 years later, we are still connected to many of our camper families. Many former campers are now volunteers, and one is even on our staff! What a privilege it has been to be a part of their grief journey.” Says Lynne Hughes, CEO and Founder of CZC.
This year we will have a camp program during the weekend of 9/11 and plan to have a special moment of remembrance and light lanterns in memory of loved ones whose campers attended those first 9/11 camp programs.