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September 9: VOICES Resiliency Symposium
VOICES Resiliency Symposium: Knowledge to Practice, Pathways to Long-Term Healing was held on Sunday, September 9 in New York City. The event focused on providing a victim-centered approach to responding to acts of terrorism and mass violence and bridging the gap between research and practice.
 This year, we were honored to hear testimonies from JoAnn Bacon, mother of Charlotte Bacon who died in the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut and Fred Guttenberg, father of Jaime Guttenberg who died in the shootings at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.
The day-long event also included presentations by accomplished subject matter experts who have dedicated their careers to treating and researching the multi-generational impact of trauma; PTSD and anxiety; supporting victims of mass tragedy; and promoting resiliency in responders and the community at-large. Over 4,000 people viewed our Facebook Live broadcast of the presentations. Attendees included victims' families, responders, survivors and professionals who were impacted by 9/11 and the Boston Marathon bombing, as well as the shootings in Newtown and Parkland.
 A special thanks to Dr. Barbara Sampson and the representatives from the NYC Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME), who met privately with 9/11 families on both Sunday and Monday. Year after year, the OCME has met with families at VOICES events and they continue to demonstrate their long-term commitment to those who lost loved ones on 9/11.
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September 10: VOICES 17th Annual Day of Remembrance Information Forum
VOICES 17th Annual Day of Remembrance Information Forum: Reflecting, Remembering, and Inspiring a Resilient Community was held on Monday, September 10 in New York City. The event brought together the 9/11 community, along with researchers, practitioners and others who have dedicated their careers to providing long-term support services for 9/11 families, survivors and responders.
 Representatives from the World Trade Center Health Program Clinical Centers of Excellence provided important updates on treatment for medical and psychological conditions. Legal experts and victims' advocates discussed victim compensation programs. Clinicians with decades of professional experience shared their expertise about mental health treatment, helping children and adults cope with loss, and building strength and resiliency.
The afternoon began with peer-to-peer roundtable discussions led by mental health professionals about incorporating resilience into daily life. Representatives from the National September 11th Memorial Museum provided an overview of the Comeback Season exhibit and plans for the 9/11 Memorial Glade.
 The program ended with an uplifting conversation between ESPN Host Mike Greenberg and Former Manager of the New York Mets Bobby Valentine. They shared their personal recollections of how sports united the nation after 9/11, and Bobby's memories of how the Mets pitched in to help in the response.
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September 11: Bipartisan Policy Center's 2018 Patriot Award
Left: Governor Kean accepts the 2018 Patriot Award
Right: 9/11 family members Carol Ashley and Mary Fetchet receive a standing ovation during Governor Kean's remarks
VOICES was honored to attend the Bipartisan Policy Center's Patriot Award Ceremony in Washington, DC on September 11, which recognizes leaders who demonstrate political courage and exceptional leadership throughout their careers. This year's honorees were 9/11 Co-Chairmen - former Governor of New Jersey Thomas Kean and former Member of the United States House of Representatives Lee Hamilton, who were awarded for their inspirational courage, especially at a time when our country was faced with unimaginable tragedy.
Governor Kean began his remarks thoughtfully recognizing Mary Fetchet and Carol Ashley and the other 9/11 families for their advocacy efforts to establish the 9/11 Commission: "The wind in our sails were the families of 9/11...they were an incredible group of people who suffered the worst loss a human being could possibly suffer in many cases and came back to work for the public good in memory of their family member." Learn more about the Award Ceremony. |
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September 11: Cantor Fitzgerald Charity Day
Left: Mike Greenberg closes a trade at Cantor Fitzgerald Charity Day
Right: Edie Lutnick, President of the Cantor Fitzgerald Relief Fund, with Mike Greenberg
On September 11, VOICES participated in Cantor Fitzgerald Charity Day. This year, we were thrilled to have our friend from ESPN Mike Greenberg join us for the day as VOICES ambassador! Mike fit right in on the trading floor with his enthusiasm and candor, and in his efforts helped close several trades.
Charity Day started in commemoration of the 658 Cantor Fitzgerald and 64 Eurobrokers employees lost in the 9/11 World Trade Center attacks. Cantor donates 100% of their revenues on 9/11 to the Cantor Fitzgerald Relief Fund, and to hundreds of charities around the world. Since its inception, Charity Day has raised an incredible $147 million globally. Our sincere thanks to Cantor Fitzgerald for making this day possible, and for helping so many worthy causes!
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September 15: Annual 9/11 Naming Ceremony at Responders Remembered Park
On September 15, the 9/11 community gathered at the Wall of Remembrance at the Responders Remembered Park in Nesconset, New York for an annual event sponsored by the FealGood Foundation. As in years past, the names were read of the responders who died of 9/11-related illnesses this year. This year, more than 160 names were added to the ever-growing list of lives lost post-9/11. Our thanks to John Feal and all involved at the FealGood Foundation for including VOICES in the event to honor the memory of those brave men and women who have tragically lost their lives due to 9/11 related illnesses. |
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VOICES Summer Interns Produce Short Film
Each year, VOICES high school interns work alongside our staff to learn about 9/11 through their firsthand experience. Through the internship program, students gain a better understanding of the historic events of 9/11, those impacted by other acts of mass violence, and the personal stories of resilience shown by so many. The project culminates in the production of a short film based on their research and interviews. Notably, this years' interns were too young to have any memory of the attacks on September 11 but in their lifetime have witnessed other terrible acts of mass violence. The students interviewed a wide range of individuals and chronicled the stories of survivors and responders, highlighting their personal resilience and the relevance of 9/11 today.
This year, the interns produced Reflecting and Moving Forward: Stories of Resiliency After 9/11, which was presented at Grace Farms and New Canaan High School. Special thanks to Rod Khattabi, Director of Safety at Grace Farms, for participating in both the video and a panel discussion at the high school.
Click here to watch the video (note: video of the day and aftermath is included in the film.) More information about the VOICES Internship Program is available here.
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From All of Us at VOICES- THANK YOU!
A special thank you to everyone who generously donated to VOICES during the month of September! From birthday fundraisers to contributions made in memory of loved ones - your donations are very much appreciated and sustain our work to make a difference in the lives of thousands of individuals and families we are privileged to assist.
Your support is more important than ever. On behalf of all of us at VOICES, thank you for your generosity!
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 VOICES is proud of our unwavering commitment to supporting those impacted by 9/11, promoting efforts to make our country safer, and helping communities heal after other tragedies. Your charitable gifts make this possible! | |
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Voices of September 11th (VOICES) is a 501c3 nonpartisan organization that provides information and a wide range of support services to promote resiliency and address the long-term needs of all those affected by September 11th; commemorates the lives and stories of September 11, 2001; and advocates for public policy reform to promote national preparedness. VOICES is committed to helping communities prepare for, respond to and recover from traumatic events, by sharing lessons learned that will promote resiliency and healing in the lives of those impacted by other tragedies.
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