Comfort Kits
CATCH Comfort Kits are trauma-support kits designed for young people experiencing a traumatic event, crisis, loss, or other difficult circumstance. The kits help professionals create a safe and supportive environment during initial conversations and give young people tools they can continue using at home, as they move through the healing process.
Kits are nondescript, easy to carry, and include instructions about how each item can be used.
They are available for free at a number of local police departments, schools, and mental health providers across Chicago’s north suburbs.
Our volunteers saw the need for these kits following the shooting on July 4, 2022 in Highland Park.
Comfort Kits are provided at no cost thanks to the support of several organizations.
Funding Partners
2025-2026 Comfort Kit Funders
CATCH currently provides Comfort Kits to young people in crisis thanks to generous financial support from the Northfield Township, Sisters of the Living Word, the Oberweiler Foundation, and Rotary Club of Northbrook.
Historical Funding Partners
- Northfield Township
- Rotary Club of Northbrook
- Rotary District 6440
Comfort Kit Collateral For Families
Scroll down to find the Comfort Kit postcard virtually in English and translated into several other languages to serve the families of youth receiving these kits. You will also find the other printed material found in the kit here as virtual and downloadable content.
Kit Content Postcard
[English Version]
We created this resource page to provide additional information to caregivers and parents as you support your child. And, we have a list of mental health providers that we hope can be useful during this time.
Kit Content Postcard
Versión en español [Spanish Version ]
Hemos creado esta página de recursos para brindar información adicional a cuidadores y padres mientras apoyan a su hijo. Además, incluimos una lista de proveedores de salud mental que esperamos sea útil durante este tiempo.
Kit Content Postcard
한국어 버전 [Korean Version]
우리는 부모와 보호자가 자녀를 지원하는 데 도움이 될 추가 정보를 제공하기 위해 이 리소스 페이지를 만들었습니다. 또한 이 시기에 유용할 것으로 기대되는 정신 건강 전문가 목록을 준비했습니다. [ Resource Page] [ Mental Health Providers]
Kit Content Postcard
Монгол хувилбар [Mongolian Version]
Бид эцэг эх, асран хамгаалагчдад хүүхдээ дэмжихэд нь туслах нэмэлт мэдээллийг хүргэх зорилгоор энэ нөөцөлт хуудсыг бүтээлээ. Мөн энэ хугацаанд хэрэг болох гэж найдаж буй сэтгэл засахад мэргэшсэн мэргэжилтнүүдийн жагсаалтыг бэлтгэсэн: [ Resource Page] [ Mental Health Providers]
Kit Content Postcard
Nooca Af-Soomaaliga [Somali Version]
Waxaan abuurnay boggan kheyraadka ah si aan u siino macluumaad dheeraad ah waalidiinta iyo
daryeelayaasha, adigoo taageeraya ilmahaaga. Sidoo kale, waxaan haynaa liis bixiyeyaasha adeegyada
caafimaadka dhimirka ah oo aan rajaynayno inuu waxtar kuu yeelan karo muddadan. [ Resource Page] [ Mental Health Providers]
NIMH Caregiver Flier
[English Version]
Scroll down to find the virtual version of the Helping Children and Adolescents Cope with Traumatic Events flier found in the CATCH Comfort Kits. Both an English and Spanish version can be found here, online.
CATCH shares this National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) free resource for parent and caregiver use.
NIMH Caregiver Flier
Versión en español [Spanish Version ]
Desplázate hacia abajo para encontrar la versión virtual del folleto Cómo ayudar a niños y adolescentes a sobrellevar eventos traumáticos, incluido en los CATCH Comfort Kits. Aquí en línea, encontrarás versiones en inglés y español.
CATCH comparte este recurso gratuito del Instituto Nacional de Salud Mental (NIMH) para uso de padres y cuidadores.
Identify and Manage Feelings Poster
Use this poster to help you build awareness of the connection between how your body is feeling with your emotions. A printed copy can be found in your Comfort Kit.
Healing Notebook
The mandalas and journal prompts in the Healing Notebook found in your Comfort Kit can help your mind reduce it’s feelings of fear and anxiety.
Comfort Kit Implementation Resources for Trauma Specialists
CATCH Comfort Kits are designed to support young people experiencing trauma, loss, crisis, or other difficult circumstances. For schools, mental health professionals, first responders, and other organizations using the kits, our Comfort Kit Implementation Guide provides practical guidance for introducing the kit, using its contents appropriately, and supporting a young person through the experience.
