Sophia shared the mission of Lemons to Lemonade at Edwards Lifesciences, highlighting the need for greater support and awareness for grieving children.
Turning life’s sour lemons into connection, community, and hope for grieving children and families throughout Orange County
Founder Sophia Donald shares her story of childhood loss, resilience, and how the support she received at the Center for Good Grief helped shape the vision behind Lemons to Lemonade.
Bringing together children who share similar experiences, Lemons to Lemonade helps grieving kids feel seen, supported, and never alone in their journey.
Orange County’s free, year-round community for grieving children and teens
1 in 12 children will experience the loss of a parent or sibling before the age of 18, yet childhood grief remains one of the most overlooked challenges impacting young people today.
Research surrounding childhood trauma and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) has shown that unresolved grief and emotional isolation can significantly impact a child’s long-term mental and physical health, emotional well-being, relationships, confidence, and academic success. Children navigating profound loss are at greater risk for anxiety, depression, social isolation, and other long-term challenges — especially when support systems are limited.
In communities like Orange County, grief support resources specifically designed for children and teens remain extremely limited.
Lemons to Lemonade was created to help change that — providing grieving children with connection, mentorship, community, and the reminder that they are never alone in their journey.
Children in the U.S. will experience the loss of a parent or sibling before age 18.
Can increase the risk of anxiety, depression, social isolation, and long-term mental and physical health challenges.
Connection, friendship, and peer support help grieving children build resilience, hope, and a sense of belonging.
When Sophia moved to Orange County, she searched for the same childhood grief support community that had helped her after the loss of her dad. Instead, she found resources for adults—and even pet loss—but virtually nothing designed specifically for grieving children.
Recognizing a significant gap in her new community, Sophia made herself a promise that one day she would help change it.
She began by writing Lemons to Lemonade: A Grief Workbook, but soon realized grieving children needed more than a workbook—they needed friendship, connection, and a community where they could heal together.
Others saw the need too. Today, families, clinicians, volunteers, businesses, and community partners are building that community together.
Supporting grieving children through camps, meetups, youth leadership, and community partnerships.
Growing hope, healing, and connection — one child at a time.
Through summer grief camps, monthly meetups, and community partnership events.Building meaningful connections beyond camp.
Developing the next generation of compassionate leaders while creating a sustainable, peer-supported community for grieving children.
Licensed therapists, Child Life Specialists, and clinical professionals donating their expertise to support grieving children and strengthen our programs.
After losing her father at age five, founder Sophia Donald experienced the power of grief support through creative outlets and community. After moving to California and realizing those resources didn’t exist for children here, she set out to recreate what once helped her heal. In this conversation, Sophia shares how Lemons to Lemonade was born — and why supporting grieving children can change the course of their lives.
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.
