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I hope this email finds everyone well, after surviving the heat wave.
We are dedicating today’s e-newsletter to the agenda for the VOICES of September 11th Information
Forum On September 10th and the Commemorative Luncheon on September 11th, following the official commemoriative services at Ground Zero.
Both events will be held at the Marriott Financial Center Hotel, 85 West Street, New York City. The events are open to 9/11 family
members, survivors and rescue workers.
Our team has been working very hard to create a meaningful experience for all of you who plan to attend this year’s event. This
year’s theme is “Remember and Renew” – something we all can relate to as we approach the fifth anniversary milestone. Our agenda for the Forum
is built around this theme with wonderful speakers, panel discussions, magnificent quilts, music and an support groups, along with informal opportunities to gather with the 9/11 community and obtain important information. Once again, a Children's Program will be available for VOICES younger members. Look for more details on the Children's Program in next week's e-Newsletter.
At the Commemorative Luncheon, we will recognize the numerous 9/11 family group leaders who continue to play a leadership role in
advocating on behalf of the 9/11 families in addition to the artisans who have created wonderful quilts and artwork.
We are very excited and honored to provide this venue for the 9/11 community to gather together to support one another on the Fifth
Anniversary. As we are finalizing our plans, we need your help. If you plan to attend now is the time to enroll, so we can plan meals,
materials and the little touches that make the Information Forum and Commemorative Luncheon so special. Please read over the materials and
register now by clicking this weblink for the Information Forum and Commemorative Luncheon.
Feel free to contact our office with any questions by phone (888) 505-3911 or by email at email@voicesofsept11.org.
Warm Regards,
Mary Fetchet
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Forum: Support and Resiliency |
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8:00 am to 9:00 am --
9:00 am to 9:30 am
9:45 am to 10:30 am
Presenter: Al Siebert, PhD, will be speaking on Resiliency. He is Director of the Resiliency Center and has extensive experience working with groups undergoing extreme changes. Al Siebert is internationally recognized for his understanding of highly resilient survivors. He is Director of The Resiliency Center and author of The Survivor Personality. His most recent book, The Resiliency Advantage, just won the "2006 Best Self-Help Book" award.
Al is an ex-paratrooper with a PhD in psychology. He is quoted in many articles and has been interviewed about highly resilient survivors on National Public Radio, OPRAH, and CNN. He conducts resiliency workshops for survivors of extreme experiences, first responders, and caregivers. He has conducted many sessions for 9/11 survivors and is recipient of the WTC Survivors Network "Survivors Salute."
Panelists: Olga Takaeva, Russia -- A member of the Mothers of Beslan, Olga was present during the 2004 Beslan school hostage crisis where armed Chechnyans killed 344 hostages after holding them for three days. As one of the coordinators of the social movement, For the Health of the Nation, Olga is engaged in charitable efforts aimed at assisting the invalids, orphans, and parents lost in the Beslan tragedy. Joanna Berry, UK -- In 1984 Jo’s father was killed when the IRA planted a bomb in a hotel where he was attending a Tory party conference. Jo decided to do what she could to draw meaning from this tragedy. Jo is the founder of the organization Building Bridges for Peace. Bud Welch, Oklahoma City, OK -- After his daughter Julie's death in the Oklahoma City bombing, Bud became an outspoken opponent of the death penalty. He has addressed the British Parliament and the European Parliament as part of the Amnesty International Journey of Hope in Paris, London and Brussels.
10:45 am to 12:00 pm
Panelists: Alice Greenwald, Director of the World Trade Center Memorial Museum; Anna Papageorge; Senior Vice President for Memorial and Cultural Development, and Members of the WTC Memorial design team will provide an update on the WTC Memorial Museum and other pertinent issues. Mary Fetchet and Monica Iken will offer a presentation on the 9/11 Living Memorial, a web-based, family-driven initiative to develop a dynamic, Internet-based knowledge management portal of reflection, remembrance, interaction, education and scholarly research about the tragedy of September 11, 2001. The 9/11 Living Memorial will be launched later this month as a partnership between VOICES and September's Mission.
A follow up to Al Siebert's presentation where he will discuss additional resiliency strategies for 9/11 Family Members, rescue and recovery workers and survivors.
12:15 pm to 1:15 pm --
A light buffet lunch will be available for Forum participants, but is not required. If you would like to eat lunch at the Forum, please sign up in advance and plan to pay $10 for each person.
1:15 pm to 2:15 pm --
Presenter: Julie Morgenstern is an internationally renowned organizing and time management expert, best-selling author, corporate productivity consultant and speaker. Julie is known for her engaging, articulate style and warm sense of humour, as well as her unique "inside out" philosophy, which provides customized solutions for individuals and companies that are easy to maintain. Julie is a columnist for "O" the Oprah magazine, and appears regularly on the Oprah Winfrey Show, The Today Show, Good Morning America and National Public Radio.
Licensed mental health professionals will run discussion and support groups in a private space for family members during this time slot:
• Parents
• Siblings
• Significant Others
2:30 pm to 3:30 pm --
Representatives from the 9/11 Family Advocacy groups will present on how 9/11 family members can become active in advocating for issues important to them. Also, representatives from September's Concert will talk about thier annual musical tribute to the memory of 9/11.
At last year's Forum, VOICES families were joined by individuals directly affected by the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing who shared experiences and resiliency strategies. This year, we are pleased to host another session facilitated by Anthony Gardner, Executive Director and Founder of WTC United Family Group. The devotion of the Oklahoma City families to helping all people affected by terrorism is truly inspirational, and VOICES is proud that they chose to share the September 11th Commemorative weekend with us again this year.
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Licensed mental health professionals will run discussion and support groups in a private space during this time slot for the following groups
• Extended Family
• Spouses
• Adult Children of Victims
• Survivors/ Witnesses
• Rescue and Recovery workers
3:30 pm to 4:00 pm --
Special guests will join Mary Fetchet for a brief ceremony to bring the September 10th Information Forum to a close.
9:00 am to 12:30 pm Returning this year to offer alternative therapy treatments is St. Vincent’s WTC Healing Services. Individual consultations for various types of alternative therapies including Reiki, Acupuncture and Hypnotherapy will be available throughout the September 10th Information Forum. Advice on other wellness and relaxation techniques including meditation, yoga, and journaling will also be available.
All Day VOICES is very excited to welcome once again a visit from the Smile Retrievers, a group of 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 difficult time and we are very happy they will join us again at the Forum.
All Day -- will be recording oral histories from Forum attendees in a private location in the Marriott. Pleae note, you must register with VOICES office prior to the event to record your story. Visit the Story Corps website for more information.
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Forum: Information for the 9/11 Community |
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The NYC Medical Examiner's office will be on hand to make ID cards for Family Members.
Representatives from the NYPD Property Clerk will be available to answer questions.
The Families of Freedom Scholarship will answer you questions and concerns.
America's Quilts: The Victim's Quilt -- This massive quilt was a perfect background for VOICES’ Information Forum and Commemorative Luncheon on September 11th, 2005. We are very proud that this powerful and eloquent record for all Americans who have fallen victim to recent terrorist attacks is returning to VOICES events this year.
Flag of Remembrance -- The Flag of Remembrance 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.
Freedom Quilts -- Betty Nielsen began a project to benefit 9/11 victims’ families. With the help of her students and various groups around the country, Betty has made and collected over 4000 quilts to be distributed to each victim's family of the September 11th attacks.
Bead Quilt -- Moved by the enormous tragedy of 9/11, a group of International beadworkers came together in support of all those whose lives were touched. In an effort to utilize their creativity to heal, the group each decided to express our feelings and reactions in 3"X3" beaded panels. These panels have been assembled into two "quilts" that will be displayed at the Forum, and eventually presented to the District of Columbia and to the city of New York.
The Button Project -- Artist Sarah Haskell has created a moving memorial to the Victims of September 11th called "Each One," a 4x10 foot linen background with a button attached for each person who perished in the attacks arranged in a pattern that echoes the Twin Towers. She has kindly agreed to display her tribute at the Forum.
Dianne Brudnicki -- A Seattle art teacher, personally financed a book of artwork
created by her students that was distributed to 9/11 families and has been featured on the VOICES website. This year, Dianne is bringing a large number of "friendship boxes," wooden or metal containers decorated with expressions of friendship and support, created by her students for the 9/11 Community.
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September 11th Commemorative Luncheon |
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VOICES Annual Commemorative Luncheon will once again be a respectful and renewing program as we remember our loved ones on the fifth anniversary. The Luncheon program will begin directly following the close of the Official Commemorative events at Ground Zero, with a light snack and beverage reception beforehand. At the Luncheon, VOICES will recognize the numerous 9/11 family group leaders who continue to play a leadership role in advocating on behalf of the 9/11 families in addition to the artisans who have created wonderful quilts and artwork. Click here to sign up to attend the Commemorative Luncheon on September 11th.
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Other Resources and More Information |
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VOICES of September 11th wants to help you get the word out about memorial events taking place around September 11th this year. If you are planning an event, please email us with the event name, date, location, and contact information as well as a brief description. We are soliciting information on various types of events including: Memorial Foundation fundraisers, community remembrances and memorial dedications, mental health or resiliency support, cultural events, informational meetings, and others as well. A running calendar of events has been posted on our website and will continue to be updated. Add your event to our listings today!
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