Sam’s Story

Sam’s a 6th grader.  He had no interest in being in an after-school program. In fact, he didn’t like being at school. He didn’t have friends and while at school spent most of his time with his aide. He preferred to stay home and play video games.  He lived with his grandmother and she is the one that signed Sam up to attend an 8 session after school Inspiring Comfort Program.

So you can only imagine how excited Sam was to be there on the first session of the club. He was not only extremely uninterested in the club, he was downright rebellious and combative.  He disrupted the first session shouting out things like “This is stupid” “I don’t even want to be here”.  He was asked to leave early at the first session because he was so disruptive. But he was given another chance.

The second session he sat outside of the circle of the other club participants with his aide and with his arms crossed in defiance. He had a few outbursts but was not asked to leave.  He did not pay much attention nor did he participate in discussions. But he did stay and watch (with his arms crossed) and he did make a plaque for someone he and his aide had identified to be in need of comfort.

By the fourth session Sam was sitting in the circle with the group. Not participating in the discussions but his arms were no longer crossed and had followed through on his tasks since the second session.

Fifth Session – Sam walked in the room asking if it was Club Comfort day. When he was told yes, he said “good”.

Seventh Session - The following question was posed to the group during that day’s lesson: “how would you feel if you didn’t get to see your family for a long time”. Sam – YES SAM - raised his hand and answered: “sad, disappointed, discouraged”.  

Eighth Session – Sam arrived early in the room and helped sort out the plaques by color (wow).  Group discussion that day was talking about when people don’t feel appreciated, they can be lonely and sad.  The kids were prompted to think of people who help them every day but may not get much appreciation. Sam’s hand popped up!  And he offered up “The Janitor”.  And that’s who he made a plaque for that day.

Inspiring Comfort’s programming focuses on creating a safe and trusting environment where kids are comfortable collaborating and sharing with each other. Witnessing Sam move from combative, to attentive to participating to initiating was the most amazing thing to see. 

Even his grandmother reached out after the program to thank the club facilitators for making such an impact in his life.  When Sam was asked if he would do the program again he answered, “Yes I would.”

BETSY'S STORY

Betsy is a daughter, wife, mother and accountant.  Her own daughter was a student at Sandy Hook Elementary on the day of the tragedy and loved the visits with the Comfort Dogs that followed.  The year after the tragedy her daughter began reading to Addie Comfort Dog each week at school which brought her much comfort.  Betsy wished there was a way to learn more about the magic of dogs and to use their amazing comfort skills on a daily basis.

So when she heard Inspiring Comfort was starting a program in town, she jumped at the chance to attend with her daughter.  It was a mother-daughter program and it gave them the chance to get together and help others.  A few months into the start of the program, Betsy’s sister was diagnosed with cancer.  At the same time, her husband’s heart was failing, and he was put on a pump and the heart transplant list. The Inspiring Comfort sessions became a place for her to find hope. It was filled with friends who cared and offered love and support to her as she was facing these challenges.  Each month Betsy and her daughter would find others to comfort while the program was comforting them.

It's been over two years since Betsy started attending the club program.  She and her daughter are still active and her husband is thriving with a new heart. Unfortunately Betsy's sister's lost her battle with cancer.  “I don’t know what I would have done these past two years without our Comfort Crew” said Betsy. “It brought me friendship, comfort and support during times when I can barely keep my head above water.  It also gave my daughter an outlet for getting through these tough times and taught her how to reach out and care for those hurting. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”

TESTIMONIALS

“The Project Comfort program at our Berkshire Partners Blue Hill Club was such a success! The teaching of comfort made a meaningful impact on our members and for that we are so appreciative! The connections they are making are powerful. Thank you for partnering with us!”
Kaiti Jones, Director of Program and Partner Initiatives
Boys and Girls Clubs of Boston

“At a recent regional training, we incorporated the Inspiring Comfort Give & Receive Comfort Workshop at the start. It set the tone for a safe and trusting meeting and I was amazed at how the skill of comfort allowed people to open up and really listen to each other.”
Deb C – Regional Director, American Cancer Society

"Offering Inspiring Comfort’s program to our scholar-athletes this year was more impactful than we could have ever imagined. Inspiring Comfort bolstered our academic community by breaking through the barrier of the “awkward zone” to promote connection, compassion, and respect. We wholeheartedly believe that emotional intelligence is the root of all learning and these sessions have been instrumental to the maintenance of a transparent and non-judgemental learning environment. Our students have learned firsthand: there is so much value in the simple act of listening.”
Brittney Romagna, Director of Education and Student Services, Ethan Allen Preparatory


“This was an amazing experience for children, staff and families. We need to do more of this with children.  This kind of “work” is so valuable. Parents are so busy making ends meet and pressured to make sure children are academically ready for school, character education in the home is not what it used to be. Many parents commented on what a great program it was and that the students enjoyed delivering their plaques. We were able to comfort such a wide range of people… young and old, near and far. Quite powerful. And I truly think students saw how collectively we made such a difference.” 

Teri A -  3rd Grade Teacher, Orange CT

“I have had the joy of having Inspiring Comfort in some of our schools in our district and it’s been thrilling to see how our students and staff members have responded in such a positive way.  These programs have changed the way we respond to crisis situations. “

Lynn A, Asst Superintendent NWP BOCES, New York. 

“As part of our faculty staff development day, we offered an Inspiring Comfort workshop.  The session was filled to capacity as they equipped us to comfort those around us.  Each person left having made new connections and created heartfelt plaques for each other.  I would definitely have Inspiring Comfort do another session for us soon.”    

Lisa B. , School Social Worker 

High School Students Feedback

• “I learned that it is the people you think who don’t need comfort - need the most comfort of all”

• “I love helping people in need and I hope that we can meet more often and even outside of school so we can help as many people as possible. Everyone deserves help when they need it the most.”

• “I love the fun, comfortable environment, connecting with others and spreading love and joy.”

• “Delivering the plaques in person is teaching me how to interact with people needing comfort. I am also learning the importance of remembering those who we’ve lost and those who have lost someone.”

• “The Inspiring Comfort program really makes others feel comforted and brings people together.”

3rd Grade Students - Project Comfort Activity Feedback

• “I learned that it is very nice to care for others and that whenever someone is feeling lonely you should care for them.”

• “I learned that sometimes you have to be uncomfortable to give comfort. Also it feels good to give something to someone who needs comfort.”

• “I learned that you might feel nervous to comfort someone but in the end you’ll both feel good.”

• “What I learned is that it made me feel happy inside and that doing a little thing for someone can make a person feel happy.” “I learned that making someone smile, it makes you smile. It shows you that happiness is in one small smile.”

• “I learned that comforting people makes you feel good.”

• “If it wasn’t for you, we wouldn’t have comforted anyone. Thank you so much.” “I learned that there’s a lot of people who need a lot of comforting.”