PLATINUM2023

Comfort Zone Camp

Heal, Grieve, Grow

Richmond, VA   |  www.comfortzonecamp.org

Mission

Comfort Zone Camp's mission is to provide grieving children with a voice, a place and a community in which to heal, grow and lead more fulfilling lives.

Ruling year info

1999

Founder and CEO

Lynne B. Hughes

Main address

6606 W Broad Street Suite 401

Richmond, VA 23230 USA

Show more contact info

EIN

54-1916517

NTEE code info

Family Services (P40)

Adult, Child Matching Programs (O30)

Counseling Support Groups (F60)

IRS filing requirement

This organization is required to file an IRS Form 990 or 990-EZ.

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Communication

Programs and results

What we aim to solve

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

There is a severe gap in childhood mental health services that provide therapeutic programs that specifically address childhood grief. For this undeserved population there are few programs that exist, with even fewer offering free services, which limits help for those from low-income backgrounds. Children with unaddressed grief are particularly vulnerable to negative outcomes., and are 5x more likely to die by suicide (USDHHS, Bureau of the Census), 9x more likely to drop out of high school (National Principals Association), 10x more likely to engage in substance abuse (Rainbows for All Children)and 20x more likely to have behavioral disorders (Center for Disease Control). Our current health crisis has increased the need for our services for grieving children. At a time of unimaginable uncertainty, fear, isolation and death, our programs are needed now more than ever.

Our programs

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?

Grief Support Free of Charge

CZC offers numerous programs to reach children and families throughout the country. The hallmark offering continues to be a 3 day camp program for children who've experienced the death of a parent, sibling, or close loved one. Each child is matched one-on-one with a mentor and the weekend includes the fun of camp with built-in group therapy to provide the skills to heal from their grief. Some camps have a specific loss type to include suicide, overdose, and COVID.

We also offer camps for grieving Young Adults (ages 18-25), virtual support groups, Family Camps, and "Comfort Zone at Home", an interactive virtual camp. Most programs offer a parent component for guardians.

In-person camps for 2023 include: CA, MA, NY, NJ, VA, NC, FL, UT, WV

Population(s) Served
Children and youth
Families
Widows and widowers
Parents
Non-adult children

Where we work

Our results

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.

Percentage of youth who demonstrate that they have developed improved coping skills with their own personal grief.

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Related Program

Grief Support Free of Charge

Type of Metric

Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues

Direction of Success

Increasing

Context Notes

Do the participants in our programs feel they are better equipped to manage their feelings of grief after attending our program.

Percentage of youth who have a sense of their own feelings and an ability to express empathy for others.

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Related Program

Grief Support Free of Charge

Type of Metric

Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues

Direction of Success

Increasing

Context Notes

Measuring if they recognize grief and its side effects and if they recognize it in others and assist with THEIR healing?

Percentage of youth who report a greater sense of purpose and improved overall wellness.

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Related Program

Grief Support Free of Charge

Type of Metric

Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues

Direction of Success

Increasing

Context Notes

Measuring overall improvement of mental health after participation.

Our Sustainable Development Goals

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.

Goals & Strategy

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.

Charting impact

Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.

Our goal is to provide children with the coping skills they need to manage their grief in healthy ways and know they are not alone.

Our camp program was created to help children and youth develop resiliency and learn to better cope with their grief. With therapeutic group sessions in addition to arts and crafts, free time and so many songs and games, Comfort Zone Camp's programs create a safe place for sharing, for connecting with other people who understand loss, for reinforcing bonds with new friends and learning coping skills. CZC's offerings are designed to 1) Identify and customize programs based on the cultural and bereavement practices and needs of the community and 2) Offer 1:1 mentorship and psycho-educational peer support groups to provide campers with uninterrupted and unconditional support throughout the entire program. Programs are facilitated by clinical therapists with an expertise in trauma and bereavement. A fun and dynamic environment is designed to engage each child and provide the opportunity to share their grief experience and to receive support and validation from a community of committed resources and peers. Comfort Zone operates from the perspective of challenge by choice, a best practice for children impacted by trauma and/or loss. Each child is able to personally own the pace and medium for which they share their experience with the community. Our goal is to engage and build competence in the family and surrounding community on the topic of bereavement, with a specific focus on childhood bereavement. We collaborate with schools, agencies, organizations, and other community resources to ensure a continuum of care for the children and families served.

For more than 22 years, Comfort Zone has worked to fill the gap in childhood bereavement care and has been uniquely positioned as a thought leader in the field.

Comfort Zone Cap was founded in 1999 in Richmond, VA. From what started as camps at Lynne’s home, evolved into an organization that has served over 21,000 children at no cost to the families. We currently serve children throughout the country always free of charge to the families who need our programs. \n\nIn response to the current pandemic, Comfort Zone has created a virtual program that provides a safe environment for grieving children to connect with their peers in spite of the social isolation brought on by the current health restrictions.

Financials

Comfort Zone Camp
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Operations

The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.

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Connect with nonprofit leaders

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  • Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
  • Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
  • Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations

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Comfort Zone Camp

Board of directors
as of 08/29/2023
SOURCE: Self-reported by organization
Board chair

Mitch Decter

Jag-One Physical Therapy

Term: 2022 - 2024

Karen Bouchard

Racepoint Global

Ginger Drysdale

CPC Childrenswear

Elaine Haney

Legacy.com

Craig Heah

Dominion Energy

Luke Puccinelli

The Morgan Companies

Derek Mohar

Mohar Financial Planning

Carlisse Davis

Dominion Energy

Candy Hipple

Consultant

Sahmon Zoughi

Greenbelt Real Estate Team

Kelly Plageman

Commonwealth Primary Care

Marty Wilson

IT Software Engineering UNOS

Mitch Decter

Jag-One Physical Therapy

Chris Pellegrino

America Domani

Joe Harrold

New York Life

Rob Fink

FNK IR

Organizational demographics

SOURCE: Self-reported; last updated 3/2/2023

Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.

Leadership

The organization's leader identifies as:

Race & ethnicity
White/Caucasian/European
Gender identity
Female, Not transgender (cisgender)
Sexual orientation
Heterosexual or straight
Disability status
Person without a disability

Race & ethnicity

Gender identity

 

Sexual orientation

Disability