Helping domestic, sexual violence survivors thrive

BRIDGEPORT — When Debra Greenwood, president and CEO of the Center for Family Justice, heard about the work being done by Camp HOPE America, she knew she needed to start one in Connecticut.

Camp HOPE America started under the leadership of San Diego City Attorney Casey Gwinn in that city in 2003 as the first camping and mentoring initiative in the U.S. to focus on children and teens exposed to domestic violence. The program worked through the San Diego Family Justice Center.

The HOPE part of the camp’s name stands for healing, opportunity, positivity and education.

The camp expanded in 2013 in California, becoming a statewide initiative. In 2015, Camp HOPE America had expanded to five states. In 2018, an estimated 1,500 youth and teens in the U.S. were involved in one of the Camp HOPE locations.

In 2016, Greenwood heard about the work being done in California and wanted to apply it in Connecticut. She got in touch with the people behind the movement on the West Coast and got the ball rolling. She quickly found a camp to partner with — Central Coastal Connecticut YMCA — in April 2016.

Then, in the summer of 2017, the Bridgeport-based center — which provides services for domestic and sexual violence survivors — sent 25 children to Camp HOPE Connecticut at YMCA’s Camp Hi-Rock in Massachusetts.

“It’s a place where these children — who have been victims of, or have seen, domestic or sexual violence — learn they’re not alone,” Greenwood said.

Camp HOPE Connecticut is meant to help build up the self-esteem of youth survivors. The Camp HOPE coordinator for the center is Sasha Collins.

Greenwood said all the counselors go through an extensive background check and screening process, as well as mandatory training to understand how to deal with survivors of trauma.

“This camp really gives these children the chance to talk to and hear from other people their age who have gone through similar situations,” Greenwood said.

This year, there will be 60 youth involved in Camp HOPE Connecticut.

Week one runs from July 28 through Aug. 3 for children between the ages of 12 and 17. Week two runs from Aug. 11 to Aug. 17 for campers ages 9 through 11.

Other than arts and crafts, the children will swim, share personal stories, rock climb and more. Greenwood said every camper is given the choice not to be involved in an activity at any time.

“It’s an opportunity where they get to be a kid again,” Greenwood said, adding that witnessing or experiencing domestic and sexual violence often rips the childhood experience away from children.

She said the center “measures hope” in children before they go to camp and 30 days after. In that time frame, Greenwood said, every child involved has thrived and found confidence, heroes to look up to and mentors to keep in touch with.

According to Camp HOPE America, between 2 million and 10 million children witness domestic violence in the U.S. yearly. Children exposed to domestic violence are at a higher risk for emotional, social and behavioral difficulties, the organization said.

Since the camp is offered to children free of charge, donations go a long way, Greenwood said.

A $1,000 donation provides a week of camp to a child.

A $500 gift will cover the costs of providing a camper with a trunk packed with essential camping supplies and cover their transportation expenses.

A $200 gift can cover the cost of supplies and activities.

Visit bit.ly/2YysrIc to make a donation and specify Camp HOPE Connecticut as the honoree to ensure the money goes to the camp’s efforts.