Sophia shared the mission of Lemons to Lemonade at Edwards Lifesciences, highlighting the need for greater support and awareness for grieving children.
From tragedy to transformation: two girls, one mission to bring resilience and healing to grieving kids in Orange County.
From tragedy to transformation: two girls, one mission to bring resilience and healing to grieving kids in Orange County.
Bringing together children who share similar experiences, Lemons to Lemonade helps kids feel seen, supported, and never alone in their journey.
Lemons to Lemonade is a community created for children who have experienced the loss of a loved one. Through camps, meetups, and ongoing connection, we help kids build friendships, discover resilience, and realize they are not alone.
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.
At the heart of Lemons to Lemonade is Sophia Donald, whose early life was touched by unimaginable loss. Sophia lost her father to a sudden heart attack at five, and in the years that followed, she found comfort and support through the Center for Good Grief in Memphis, Tennessee—where she learned that she didn’t have to go through grief alone.
It all began when Sophia, determined to help other children facing loss, wrote Lemons to Lemonade: A Grief Workbook. As she worked on the book, she realized she wanted to do more—she wanted to create something just like what she experienced in Memphis, where grieving kids could feel understood, supported, and less alone.
Sophia envisioned creating a camp where kids could “take the sour lemons and make lemonade.” As she researched ways to bring that vision to life, she discovered the Dragon Kim Foundation and saw a path to funding, mentorship, and support. She asked her friend Avery to join her, knowing their shared experiences with loss could help them create something meaningful for other children. Together, they applied and were accepted into the program, bringing Lemons to Lemonade to life in Orange County.
Sophia and Avery saw quickly how meaningful that first camp was—not just for the kids, but for themselves. What started as a single idea began to grow into something bigger, as more families, volunteers, and community members wanted to be part of Lemons to Lemonade. With the support of mentors and partners, Sophia has continued to grow the organization into a team-driven effort—creating a place where kids can build friendships and grow stronger together.
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.
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.
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.
"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.
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.
When Sophia moved to Orange County, she was surprised to find how few resources existed for children navigating grief on their own. While support is often available for adults, children are rarely given a space where they can connect with other kids who truly understand what they are going through.
She wanted to change that.
Lemons to Lemonade was created to do just that.
What began as Sophia’s idea has grown into a community-supported effort to provide meaningful support for grieving children—through camps, ongoing meetups, and a community built on connection. With the foundation and leadership experience gained through the Dragon Kim Foundation’s Mini-MBA program, Lemons to Lemonade has continued to grow into a nonprofit serving families across the community.
By creating opportunities for kids to come together, build friendships, and feel understood, Lemons to Lemonade helps turn isolation into connection and grief into resilience.
And this is just the start of what’s possible. Together, we can build a future where every grieving child has the opportunity to heal in a supportive, compassionate environment.
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.
