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Sweet Lemonade

From tragedy to transformation: two girls, one mission to bring resilience and healing to grieving kids in Orange County.

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From tragedy to transformation: two girls, one mission to bring resilience and healing to grieving kids in Orange County.

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Our Story

From Grief to a Legacy of Hope

At the heart of Lemons to Lemonade are two young girls, Sophia and Avery, whose early lives were touched by unimaginable loss. Avery’s mother passed away from cancer when she was only three, and Sophia lost her father to a sudden heart attack at five. Living in different parts of the country, they each found solace in grief support programs—Sophia in Memphis’s Camp Good Grief and Avery in New York’s Compassionate Kids Club. In these spaces, they learned that grief doesn’t have to be borne alone.

It all began when Sophia, determined to help other children facing loss, wrote Lemons to Lemonade: A Grief Workbook. Inspired by her journey and the support she received, she invited Avery to join her in creating a space where grieving kids could connect, heal, and find strength.

Together, they dreamed of a camp where kids could “take the sour lemons and make lemonade.” With the support of the Dragon Kim Foundation and St. Margaret’s Venture to Serve Project, Sophia and Avery transformed their shared vision into a reality, creating a compassionate community for grieving kids in Orange County.

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Mission Statement

Our mission at Lemons to Lemonade is to provide a nurturing space where kids and teens who have experienced loss can embrace their grief with zest and creativity, transforming sorrow into something meaningful and uplifting. Join us as we honor memories, forge new paths, and support each other in finding the sweetness within life’s lemons.

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Our Story

Building Resilience Together

Grief Camps

Our four-day camp offers children a supportive environment to share their stories, make new friends, and engage in healing activities that are both fun and therapeutic. Led by compassionate mentors who understand grief, each day is filled with crafts, outdoor activities, and group sessions designed to make them feel safe, understood, and valued.

Support Groups

"The Lemon Lounge" provides a year-round space for ongoing support. Here, children can connect with peers who understand their experiences, fostering friendships and creating a sense of belonging.

Resilience Resources

In addition to our camps, Lemons to Lemonade offers families valuable resources, including our Lemons to Lemonade Grief Workbook. Created by Sophia and inspired by her time at Camp Good Grief, this workbook is filled with creative exercises to help children express their emotions and honor the memories of their loved ones.

Bridging the Gap for

Grieving Kids in Orange County

Sophia and Avery know firsthand the difference that a supportive community can make, but in Orange County, they found very few resources where grieving kids could find support independently. Determined to fill this gap, they entered the Dragon Kim Foundation with a mission to launch their dream. After completing its rigorous Mini-MBA program, they graduated with a stronger vision and created a nonprofit to bring hope and healing to local grieving children. Thanks to the mentorship, funding, and training they received, Lemons to Lemonade is making an impact and offering a safe, compassionate community for kids to find joy and resilience.

This is only the beginning. Together, we can build a future where every grieving child has the opportunity to heal in a supportive, compassionate environment.

Testimonials

Heartfelt Words from Our Community

“Lemons to Lemonade gave my son a place where he felt safe to talk about his dad. In our day-to-day lives, it’s hard for him to open up, but this camp helped him realize that his feelings are okay, and he isn’t alone. It’s more than a camp—it’s a true support system, and knowing it was free made it even more accessible for us.”
“As a single mom, finding grief support for my daughter was a challenge. This camp was a safe place where she felt she could be herself, and she loved every activity! She came back talking about the friends she made and all the fun they had, and I could tell that her heart felt a little lighter. Lemons to Lemonade truly cares, and we feel blessed to have been a part of it.”
“Lemons to Lemonade is unlike any program we have locally. There are places where families can go together, but nothing solely for grieving children to connect with their peers. The camp is a huge benefit, and it’s clear from feedback that more frequent meetings could provide ongoing support for these kids. This program is a true gift to our community.”
“My daughter came home from camp not only smiling but feeling understood for the first time in a long time. I didn’t know if she would feel comfortable at first, but every day, she couldn’t wait to go back, and she was so sad when it was over. She had a place to remember her dad, make friends, and feel safe. Lemons to Lemonade made her feel seen and supported, and we are so grateful for the joy they brought back into her life.”
“This camp has been a blessing to our family. We don’t often have access to programs like this, but Lemons to Lemonade made us feel seen and supported. Knowing it was free lifted a huge burden. My son now talks about his brother more openly, and he even met a friend who understands what he’s going through.”
“I recommend Lemons to Lemonade to families in need of grief support. The program offers not just activities, but a safe place for kids to express themselves and find friends who understand. And the fact that it’s free makes it a rare and invaluable resource in our community.”
“For children who have lost a loved one, there are very few places where they can find support on their own terms. Lemons to Lemonade gave my son a rare opportunity to connect with other kids, talk openly, and feel supported without me hovering nearby. We only wish there were more frequent gatherings, as this has been so impactful for him.”
“This camp allowed my children to be with others who truly ‘get it.’ The team encouraged them to talk, laugh, cry, and remember their dad in a way that felt natural and supportive. This camp, offered without any cost, has been such a gift to us.”
“Volunteering at Lemons to Lemonade was eye-opening. The kids were laughing, bonding, and sharing openly. I could see how much they valued the friendships they were making. Supporting this cause is supporting a brighter future for kids in need of comfort and fun, and I feel lucky to be part of it.”
“Life continues on without your loved one, and this camp really helped my children stop time and focus on their feelings of missing their sister. It gave them permission to think about her. I think it was one of the most amazing opportunities for my kids to truly feel understood and to connect with others who share a similar journey. They left camp feeling more at peace and knowing they are not alone in their grief.
“What makes Lemons to Lemonade truly special is that it’s led by young people who have experienced similar losses. As a counselor, I’ve seen firsthand how this peer connection helps the children feel safe, understood, and open to sharing. We haven’t seen a program like this in Orange County, and it’s something we truly need. Once we met Sophia and Avery, we knew we wanted to be involved. This is the start of something truly special, filling a gap in support that has been long overdue.”

Join Us on

This Journey of
Transformation

Lemons to Lemonade is dedicated to supporting children through their grief, one camp, one story, one friendship at a time. Join us in making a lasting impact. Through donations, volunteering, or simply spreading the word, you can help turn lemons into lemonade for children facing loss. Every contribution builds a stronger, more compassionate community.

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