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Our Story

CARL'S BUTTERFLIES

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Our Story

CARL'S BUTTERFLIES

Actor Carl Gordon, the original Carl of Carl's Butterflies

We are a 501(c)3 charitable nonprofit crisis organization that supports children while their family member transitions through a critical illness, hospice care or death. It is offered to young children, teens, and adolescents.

Carl's Butterflies was conceived after, Founder Jacqueline Alston-Gordon's husband, Carl, was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. Watching her children grieve as their father went through two biopsies, chemotherapy, in-home hospice, and ultimate death, she came to understand the tremendous impact this trauma had on her children's lives. At one point, her 9-year-old daughter asked if there was a group for kids like her who were going through this sort of "transition." Thus Carl's Butterflies was created.

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Statement of Need

Statement of Need

Statement of Need

We all grieve when a family member passes on. It is in our nature to mourn the loss of a loved one. Many forget that children grieve also. They are called the “forgotten mourners,” those whose silent grieving is reflected in their future behavior.

In many cases, death or the critical illness of a loved one is a traumatic event, which could lead to post-traumatic symptoms and behavioral problems. Depending on their age, children will react differently to the loss of a loved one. A child might begin to be more sullen, shun the company of others, or act out at home and school. In adolescents, this post-traumatic reaction to a death can be more severe. A teenager, as a result, may become involved in drugs, alcoholism, promiscuity, or gangs.

Programs and Other Services

Our teens and younger children meet in separate groups weekly. These "Talk Circle" allow adolescent and young children an opportunity to explore and express their grief. We also host a once a year weekend trip to Virginia. We have guest speakers and field trips. We are working on a 24 hours 7 days a week hotline.

Get Involved

We have formed partnerships with school counselors, hospital social workers and doctors, funeral homes, churches, and libraries. If you are looking to become a partner you can contact us. You can can also donate to Carl's Butterflies using the donate button below.

Our Directors

Our Directors

Jacqueline Alston - Gordon, President / Executive Director

Ms. Alston-Gordon is the founder of Carl’s Butterflies. She is a Certified Nursing Assistant (degree obtained from Jay Sargent Reynolds Community College in Richmond, VA) and holds a certificate in prenatal bereavement from Resolve Through Sharing of Richmond, VA. Ms. Alston-Gordon was a member of the Bereavement Committee at St. Francis Medical Center in Richmond, VA from 2008-2012 and has worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant at the Schervier Nursing Care Center's Alzheimer's & dementia care hospice in Bronx, NY since 2012. Ms. Alston-Gordon served as the Financial Counselor for the St. Francis Medical Center charity program from 2005 to 2008.

As President/Executive Director of Carl’s Butterflies her duties include management of operations, program development and fundraising.

Venita Snoddy, Vice President and Secretary/ Director

Ms. Snoddy holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and a Certificate in Management Practices from Bernard M. Baruch College. Ms. Snoddy has professional experience in negotiating and executing contracts, managing budgetary expenses and implementing strategies to reduce costs, and developing and implementing corporate procedures.

As Vice President, Secretary, and Member of the Board of Carl’s Butterflies her responsibilties include co-management of operations, program development, fundraising, preparing and maintaining minutes of Board meetings, preparing and distributing necessary Board notices and meeting materials, maintaining other necessary organizational materials.

Sarah Ann Hudson, Treasurer/ Director

Ms. Hudson holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Bernard M. Baruch College and a Master’s degree in nonprofit management from Walden University. She has over 15 years of experience in nonprofit management and financial consulting.

As Treasurer/Director of Carl’s Butterflies her responsibilities include preparing and maintaining the organization’s books and records, budget analysis, and drafting financial reporting policies.

Scorpio Kevin Rogers, Director

Mr. Rogers holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and Technology from Dartmouth College and Master’s degree in Business Administration from Columbia University. He is the owner and manager of Entrepreneurial Consulting, LLC and a professor of technology and entrepreneurship at the business department of Westchester Community College.

As one of the directors of Carl’s Butterflies his duties include reviewing and advising on corporate organizational policies and procedures, strategic organization, program development, and fundraising.