Mercy Corps to distribute Comfort Kits to NYC Kids

Mercy Corps International
Wednesday, 26 September 2001

Program aims to reach children in overlooked communities

Children are our most fragile of treasures.

In wake of the September 11 tragedy in New York, Washington, DC and Pennsylvania, a significant number of children in these communities will face trauma, grief, anger and fear in the weeks and months to come.

Working with child trauma specialists, Mercy Corps has designed a September 11 Comfort Kit which includes art supplies, flashlights, stuffed animals and other items that experts say make kids feel safe and will help children to express themselves in this time of trauma.

Included in each September 11 Comfort Kit is a specially created booklet that provides parents and educators with practical advice on helping kids cope with grief, anger and fear in ways that promote tolerance and understanding.

Mercy Corps is initially distributing September 11 Comfort Kits to children in refugee, immigrant and low-income communities in New York who are suffering from trauma and might otherwise be overlooked by relief efforts.

The September 11 Comfort Kit program is part of Mercy Corps' overall Comfort for Kids initiative to help children and families in New York and Washington D.C. cope with fear and grief in the wake of the September 11 tragedy.

With your donation of $30 per kit, you will enable a child in need to receive a September 11 Comfort Kit, as well as help to fund Mercy Corps' child trauma relief efforts in New York and Washington, DC.

Corporations and individuals interested in honoring their friends, loved ones and business associate can also purchase September 11 Comfort Kits. Please provide Mercy Corps donor services with a list of names and addresses (minimum 10) of people you would like to honor with a September 11 Comfort Kit. Each honoree will be sent a personalized card and a certificate of appreciation.

For more information, or to contact Mercy Corps International, see their website at: www.mercycorps.org