Local Heroes
TEARS OF JOY
North Caldwell Family Shares Their Volunteer Experience at a Bereavement Camp
T
hey say people come into your life for a reason, and that saying embodies the relationship between Lynne Hughes and the Decter family of North Caldwell. Lynne was a camp counselor when Jamie Decter was a child attending summer camp. Fast forward to today, and you will find Lynne at one of her 26 camps across the U.S., helping children who have lost a parent, sibling, or someone significant to begin their healing journey. Mitch and Jamie Decter, or one of their three children, often volunteer by Lynne’s side at Comfort Zone Camp. In 1999, Lynne founded Comfort Zone and held her first bereavement camp in Virginia for children ages 7-17. The tragedy of 9/11 brought Comfort Zone to the Northeast. Mitch and Jamie were instrumental in helping Lynne partner with Montclair Kimberley Academy to host day camps for the many local grieving families. Since then, Comfort Zone Camp has continued to grow and offer camps across the U.S. In 2022, Comfort Zone held 26 camps helping 1037 kids and 120 parents from 32 different states. Mitch started his journey with Comfort Zone as a volunteer and instantly connected with the mission, fellow volunteers, and the sense of fulfillment from knowing he made a difference for a grieving child. Mitch serves as Chair of the National Board for Comfort Zone and is instrumental in raising awareness for the mission. Mitch explained that grieving children often feel a profound sense of isolation because their friends don’t know what to say or how to relate to them. Comfort Zone creates a “bubble” where for the first time, campers are surrounded by a robust and supportive network of peers that personally understand their loss. They learn age-appropriate coping skills that
The Decter family (left-right): Ryan, Mitch, Morgan, Jackson, and Jamie will help them manage their grief in their day-to-day lives. In addition to participating in the healing circles where the campers share stories, Mitch says it is a regular camp offering a wide range of activities. Volunteers serve as “Big Buddies” to support the campers throughout the weekend. Mitch says that the family tries to participate as often as possible. His oldest child, 18, volunteers at the camp as a Junior Counselor, and his two sons, ages 11 and 15, volunteer as helping hands checking on people throughout the weekend. “One of the most incredible things is to be there for a child in their time of need and to help them navigate their grief journey. It is amazing how much progress we see in the kids in just two days. To be a little part of their life and to help put a smile on their faces is a remarkable thing to be part of,” says Mitch.
comfortzonecamp.org
Comfort Zone Camp, which is free of charge and run by volunteers, relies on donations and fundraising events. To learn more, go to: https://comfortzonecamp.org.
If you know someone that goes above and beyond, send an email to jackie.subessex@gmail.com
Summer 2023
SuburbanEssex.com
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