Warm Regards,

September 10, 2005

Many thanks to all who attended and participated in the 2005 VOICES of September 10th Information Forum. This year’s event was our largest yet, with a host of support groups, panel discussions, workshops and service providers. The Forum also featured a children’s program and opportunities for family members to experience alternative therapy treatments provided by St. Vincent’s WTC Healing Services. Summaries of the information panels are offered below, along with web links to help you learn more about the very important issues they addressed.

CHILDREN’S PROGRAM
VOICES Youth Program at the September 2005 Forum was a big hit with our youngest members.  Under the direction of VOICES’ Director of Family Programs Dr. Robin Goodman, the art, music, recreation, and infant activities were specially geared to children age infant through 16. The professional group leaders, Billy Ayers, John Cashman, Eileen McGann, and Susan Liniker and many volunteers did a great job making it a fun and inspiring day for those who attended. On view for the children was a beautiful quilt made from panels created by the child participants at the Spring Forum in April, our thanks to Leslie Pressley who beautifully assembled the pieces. The quilt, seen here, was unveiled on September 10th. We also thank the many children who painted new panels for the next quilt that will serve as a record of the September 2005 Information Forum. VOICES looks forward to expanding and enhancing our children’s activities for future Forums and events. Click here for more pictures of the children's program.

Quilts
This year, VOICES Information Forum was honored by the presence of many quilts that reflect the shared loss of our families and honor the heroes of 9/11.

America’s Quilts: The Victim’s Quilt
This beautiful quilt, created by Jeannie Ammermann, was a perfect background for VOICES’ Commemorative Luncheon on September 11th. It is a powerful and eloquent record for all Americans who have fallen victim to recent terrorist attacks. America’s Quilts is seeking photos for those victims whose image in not yet on the quilt. They will not add a picture without permission from a family member. To add your loved one’s likeness to the Victim’s Quilt, please contact:

America's 9-11 Memorial Quilt Organization
Jeannie Ammermann, President
1278 Sweetwater Lane #101
Naples, Florida 34110
Phone 239-594-9966 or cell 239-293-0136
Email: quiltmaker@comcast.net

Flag of Remembrance
The Flag of Remembrance, created by Mindy Kombert and Sherry Kronenfeld, depicts the victims of the WTC attacks in a “stars and stripes” pattern. The viewer experiences a dramatic effect as they draw closer to the quilt and the victim’s faces emerge from the larger pattern. The Flag of Remembrance is also seeking photos of WTC victims. Please visit their website to learn more.

“America, One Nation Under God” quilt
VOICES Information Forum also featured the “America, One Nation Under God” quilt created by Kathleen Izzo's middle-school class from Elmhurst, NY.

Art for Heart
Also on view for the second year were several Art For Heart quilts made by children directly affected by 9/11. The communal program was conceived by 16-year-old Ali Millard, who lost her stepfather, Port Authority Executive Director Neil Levin, on 9/11. We hope you find the time to view these powerful tributes to our loved ones.

Smile Retrievers
As always, VOICES enjoyed a visit from the Smile Retrievers, four wonderful therapy dogs owned by Mario and Karen Canzoneri. Since 9/11, the Canzoneri’s have frequented Ground Zero and numerous other sites with their golden retrievers Jake, Jessie, Mattie and Macie to provide comfort and companionship to the grieving families, rescue workers and volunteers of 9/11. These four-legged therapists rekindle memories of comfort and affection in a time of despair and we were very happy they could join us again at the Forum. Wonderful pictures of the dogs relaxing at the Forum with some of VOICES’ younger members are available on the website.

Volunteers
The success of VOICES depends in large part upon the hard work and dedication of our staff and volunteers. From the daily tasks of running an office to the smooth operation of VOICES Information Forums and events, VOICES is indebted to them for their commitment and belief in our mission.

Pictured above are some of the volunteers who have worked at this years Information Forum (from left to right) are Carmella Camello, Barbara Spasiano, Gerry Basile, Fulvia Alfano, Dee Twordy, Chris Kurjanowicz, Nancy Cotiaux and Diane Schaber; also (left) Peggy Toce, Babs Horner and Barkey Powell. On behalf of VOICES, we give these volunteers a whole-hearted thank you!

Service Providers
The goal of our Information Forum is to connect our membership with the many wonderful organizations dedicated to supporting the 9/11 families and others impacted by 9/11. We hope many of you took the opportunity to connect with service providers at the September 10th Forum, and will continue to use the planning, resiliency, and wellness resources that they provide. Thanks again to the many service providers who attended the Forum—VOICES appreciates your commitment and our families are deeply grateful for your efforts on behalf of all those affected by 9/11. Service providers participating in the Forum included:

9/11 Health Insurance Group
9/11 Victims Memorial Quilt
American Red Cross 9/11 Recovery Program
Art for Heart
Big Brothers Big Sisters of NY/NJ
Cantor Fitzgerald Relief Fund
CARRI 9/11 Program
Faithful Response
Families of Freedom Scholarships
Financial Planning Association
Flag of Honor
Flag of Remembrance
Home Ground
Lower Manhattan Development Corp.
Office of the Medical Examiner – NYC
NYS Higher Education (HESC)
NYU Child Study Center
One Day's Pay
Program for Anxiety & Trauma Stress Studies
Safe Horizon
September's Mission
StoryCorps
The Infant/Toddler/Preschool post-9/11 Initiative
The Living Room
The Smile Retrievers
Tuesday's Children
Twin Towers Orphan Fund
WTC Families for Proper Burial