September 11 Comfort Kits Information

Mercy Corps International
Wednesday, 26 September 2001

1. What is the September 11 Comfort Kit program?

The September 11 Comfort Kit program is a way for you to help children affected by the tragedy in New York and Washington, DC, cope with their trauma, anger, fear and promote tolerance. With your donation, children in need will receive September 11 Comfort Kits designed to help children and parents address the tough emotional issues that they face. Your donation will also help Mercy Corps provide special books, videos, and training for parents, teachers and child care providers through our Comfort for Kids program.

2. What does a September 11 Comfort Kit contain?

Each kit includes art supplies, flashlights, stuffed animals and other items that experts say make kids feel safe and encourage them to express their feelings in a time of trauma. Also included in each kit is a booklet specially created by Mercy Corps and child trauma experts that provides parents and educators with practical advice on helping kids cope with grief, anger, and fear - and find solutions that promote tolerance and understanding.

3. Which children will receive September 11 Comfort Kits?

Mercy Corps initially will distribute kits to children in New York City, and hopes to expand the program soon to Washington, DC. In particular, September 11 Comfort Kits will be given to children in refugee, immigrant and low-income communities who might otherwise be overlooked by relief efforts and whose parents might be too frightened to seek assistance. The Kits will be customized so they are appropriate for different age groups.

4. How can I donate money towards the September 11 Comfort Kits?

The quickest and easiest way to donate is online at www.mercycorps.org. You can also call 1-800-292-3355 ext. 250 to make a donation.

5. Can I include my own message, letter, or toy in a kit?

Not at this time. Mercy Corps is not collecting individuals items for the September 11 Comfort Kits.

6. Can my child receive a September 11 Comfort Kit?

Not at this time. Mercy Corps' Comfort for Kids initiative is targeting only children directly affected in New York and Washington, DC. Our trained staff and partners are working to identify those children most in need and to distribute Comfort Kits to children in communities that might otherwise be overlooked. However, please visit the Mercy Corps website for useful links on helping children cope. Mercy Corps will also post an excerpt from the booklet and segments of the special video.

7. How will my donation be used?

Your donation will cover costs of purchasing, assembling, shipping and distributing the September 11 Comfort Kits. In addition, your donation will support Mercy Corps' overall Comfort for Kids program, which is providing special resource materials and training on child trauma to parents, educators and child care providers. Over 95 percent of Mercy Corps' resources are allocated directly to programs that help those in need making it one of the most efficient non-profit agencies in the country.

8. Who are Mercy Corps' partners in the Comfort for Kids program?

Mercy Corps is partnering with The Dougy Center, Bright Horizons and J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. Based in Portland, Oregon, The Dougy Center provides counseling for children coping with the grief associated with death. Each month, The Dougy Center provides grief support services to over 350 children and families. As a result of the Center's grief counseling training initiative, over 130 programs modeled on The Dougy Center have been developed throughout the US and overseas. Based in Massachusetts, Bright Horizons Family Solutions is one of the America's largest providers of work-site childcare, back-up care, early education, and worklife consulting services. Bright Horizons manages more than 340 Family Centers worldwide for more than 250 clients. With childcare centers in Europe and the Pacific Rim, Bright Horizons serves a wide array of international and multinational companies. J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. is a leading global financial services firm with assets of $713 billion and operations in more than 50 countries. The firm is a leader in investment banking, asset management, private equity, custody and transaction services, retail and middle market financial services, and e-finance. Headquartered in New York, JPMorgan Chase serves more than 30 million consumer customers and the world's most prominent corporate, institutional and government clients.

9. Can I donate a September 11 Comfort Kit in honor of my friends, family members and business associates?

Yes. Simply designate whom you would like to honor on the web order form. If you would like to send kits in honor of a group of 10 or more people, please call Mercy Corps donor services at 1-800-292-3355 ext. 250 or email donorservices@mercycorps.org and provide a list of names and addresses of the people you would like to honor with a September 11 Comfort Kit. Each honoree you designate will be sent a personalized card and a certificate of appreciation.

10. What if I have additional questions?

Please contact donor services at 1-800-292-3355 ext. 250 or email donorservices@mercycorps.org.

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