More than forty local children impacted by traumas related to domestic and sexual violence and child abuse recently experienced the joys of summer in a fun, but therapeutic environment as the inaugural season of Camp HOPE Connecticut was completed.
More than 26 children traveled by coach bus to YMCA Camp Hi-Rock in the Massachusetts Berkshires in late June for the first overnight week of Camp HOPE, a trauma-informed mentoring program which seeks to bring hope into the lives of children impacted by domestic and sexual violence and child abuse.
On July 10, a smaller group of children between ages five and seven, enjoyed the same curriculum during Camp HOPE’s week-long day camp, based at YMCA Camp Tepee in Monroe.
Under the direction of CFJ’s Camp Hope Connecticut Coordinator, Sasha Collins, the first Camp Hope Connecticut was a great success with children ages five to 13 showing marked improvement in the “hope indicators” used to evaluate the sense of optimism and resiliency of children who participated in the program’s therapeutic curriculum.
“We have so many people, organizations, volunteers and donors to thank for the incredible opportunity we have given these deserving children,” said CFJ’s President & CEO Debra A. Greenwood. “Launching a Camp HOPE was a monumental undertaking, but we’ve been touched by the number of supporters and generous donors who worked tirelessly to give these kids a life-changing summer experience.”
Camp HOPE Connecticut was launched in cooperation with the international Alliance for Hope, which founded Camp HOPE America. CFJ is also profoundly grateful to the Central Coast YMCA, which partnered us to provide host sites at YMCA Camp Hi-Rock and YMCA Camp Tepee.
“We are grateful to each and every person and organization who made this experience possible for these kids,” said Greenwood. “Everyone involved can feel good knowing they have given these children back part of the childhoods they have lost to abuse and trauma.
