September 23, 2009
Dear Families and Friends,
Another anniversary has come and gone! Although the anniversary is a challenging time it is always heartwarming to see so many of you in attendance at our Day of Remembrance events. Your participation reinforces the importance of providing an opportunity for the 9/11 community to come together.
All of us at VOICES want to extend our thanks to the many individuals who helped make the anniversary events an incredible success. We especially appreciate the families who participated in the Labor Day weekend to run for VOICES in the inaugural WTC Run to Remember! Their generosity of time and support of our efforts is inspiring!
Our special thanks to those who participated in the opening of VOICES New Brunswick office and the Day of Remembrance events in New Brunswick and New York City and to Dianne Brudnicki and her art students who traveled from Seattle, Washington to hand deliver beautiful hand painted boxes they created for the 9/11 families.
On this eighth anniversary the absence of Beverly Eckert was felt by all of us. Our heartfelt thanks to Beverly's sisters, Karen Eckert and Susan Bourque for joining us to accept the VOICES Building Bridges Award in memory of Beverly. I know how much they appreciated hearing everyone’s memories of her tireless advocacy work and how she touched the lives of so many. Beverly’s friendship and dedication to making a difference will be sorely missed. Like Beverly, her sisters have dedicated their time to ensure that changes are made to prevent other airline disasters. We will keep you informed of their efforts.
In closing, as I reflect on the anniversary I am grateful to our dedicated staff and volunteers who worked tirelessly over the past several months planning the events. VOICES success over the years is a direct reflection of their caring, compassion and commitment in supporting the 9/11 community.
If we didn’t have an opportunity to see you, we send our best wishes to you and your family.
Warm regards,
Mary and the Voices Staff
VOICES 8th Anniversary Day of Remembrance Event Highlights
VOICES marked the 8th anniversary of September 11th with a busy schedule of events:
August 31 2009 VOICES launches satellite office in New Brunswick, New Jersey
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VOICES officially opens New Brunswick, NJ office. Over 200 attendees were on hand for the ribbon cutting and reception to meet VOICES New Brunswick staff: Gina Reilly, Program Director; Anu Gupta, Development Director; and Chris Edwards, Web and Graphics Assistant.
VOICES is grateful for the warm welcome and thanks the following special guests for their participation in the program:
Governor Tom Kean, Congressman Rush Holt, Mayor Jim Cahill, Rutgers President Dick McCormick, DEVCO President Chris Paladino and 9/11 family member Meryl Mayo.
VOICES New Brunswick office will serve the more than 700 New Jersey families who lost loved ones in the 9/11 attacks as well as hundreds of rescue workers, first responders and community members.
September 6 2009 VOICES Supporters Walk and Run in
World Trade Center Run to Remember on Governor’s Island
VOICES thanks participants who walked and ran in honor of VOICES cause in the inaugural World Trade Center Run to Remember held on Governor’s Island in NYC. More than 1,000 people turned out for this first-ever event. The 5-kilometer race organized by NYC retired Sergeant Tom Biggers honors the lives of those lost on September 11, 2001. Funds raised from the race support Voices of September 11th and other 9/11 organizations. VOICES was proud to participate in the World Trade Center Run to Remember. It was a great opportunity for people affected by the events of 9/11 to come together to remember each victim, while running or walking around beautiful Governor’s Island in New York Harbor.
To read more Click Here
September 9 2009 VOICES holds Annual Day of Remembrance at New Brunswick, NJ office
Through September 30 2009 VOICES month long 9/11 Living Memorial exhibit in New Brunswick
VOICES held a New Jersey Day of Remembrance at the newly opened New Brunswick office. The event provided an opportunity for families, rescue workers and survivors to learn more about VOICES work. It also marked the opening of VOICES 9/11 Living Memorial Exhibit that will remain on display at the New Brunswick office throughout the month of September.
The Day of Remembrance event included an update on the National September 11 Memorial & Museum. Dr. Iris Udasin spoke about her work with the rescue and recovery workers and guests heard from 9/11 rescue worker Charles Giles about his personal experience.
Visitors may view VOICES compelling 9/11 Living Memorial exhibit until the end of September. For additional information contact Gina Reilly at 732-543-2300 or greilly@voicesofsept11.org
September 10 2009 VOICES Annual Day of Remembrance
at the Marriott Downtown Hotel in New York City
VOICES annual Day of Remembrance in New York drew a crowd of family members, rescue workers, survivors and service providers. The popular event included panel discussions, roundtables and presentations on issues of importance to the 9/11 community including: Documenting the Stories of Corporations; Updates from the NYC Medical Examiner; Long Term Mental Health Needs; Advocating for Public Policy--including Fresh Kills and Guantanamo Bay; as well as an update on the 9/11 National Day of Service and Remembrance. VOICES also held 9/11 Living Memorial workshops scheduled throughout the day.
Dianne Brudnicki and a group of her art students traveled from Seattle, Washington to hand deliver forty beautiful hand painted boxes they created for the 9/11 families that included a message from the artist. VOICES thanks the following young people and adults including those pictured below: Benjamin Brudnicki, Anna Ohyama, Karina Chos, Abby Christiansen, Dianne Brudnicki, Michelle Matson, Paula Harper Christiansen and Stephanie Chors.
The Day of Remembrance program concluded with a tribute to Beverly Eckert and awarding of a posthumous Building Bridges award to VOICES friend and colleague, Beverly Eckert, who perished in the Buffalo plane crash earlier this year. Beverly’s sisters, Karen Eckert and Susan Bourque, accepted the award in recognition of Beverly’s powerful advocacy work that benefited so many in the 9/11 community. Beverly is sorely missed by all of us. Her work lives on through VOICES as well as Karen and Susan's airline safety advocacy work.
VOICES Programs and events
9/11 Living Memorial Workshop Schedule
VOICES is hosting a number of 9/11 Living Memorial workshops in the tri-state area. In addition to the workshops listed below we would be happy to arrange a workshop in your community. To learn more, or to register for a workshop, please contact Monica Rosado at (203) 966-3911 or mrosado@voicesofsept11.org. You can also visit www.911livingmemorial.org.
VOICES, New Canaan
Date: Thursday, September 24th
Location: VOICES New Canaan, 161 Cherry Street, New Canaan, CT
Offices of Keefe, Bruyette & Woods (KBW families only)
Date: Wednesday, September 30th
Location: Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, 787 7th Avenue, Fourth Floor, New York, NY
VOICES, New Brunswick
Date: Tuesday, October 13th
Location: VOICES New Brunswick, 84 Albany Street, New Brunswick, NJ
VOICES, New Canaan
Date: Friday, October 16th
Location: VOICES New Canaan, 161 Cherry Street, New Canaan, CT
Offices of Keefe, Bruyette & Woods (KBW families only)
Date: Wednesday, October 28th
Location: Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, 787 7th Avenue, Fourth Floor, New York, NY
VOICES, New Brunswick
Date: Thursday, October 29th
Location: VOICES New Brunswick, 84 Albany Street, New Brunswick, NJ
Teleconference Schedule:
Voices of September 11th offers teleconference groups that are facilitated by our mental health professionals. The teleconference groups provide an opportunity for those impacted by 9/11 to talk with others that share their same experience. Please contact our office at (203) 966-3911 if you are interested in participating.
Tuesday, October 6th: Parenting Workshop Group, 9:00pm to 10:00pm
Tuesday, October 6th: Firefighter Mothers' Group, 10:00am to 11:00am
Tuesday, October 6th: Parents Support Group, 3:45pm to 5:00pm
Tuesday, October 13th: Wives' Group, 12:00pm to 1:00pm
Wednesday, October 14th: Siblings' Group, 2:30pm to 3:30pm
Tuesday, October 20th: Parents Support Group, 3:45pm to 5:00pm
Tuesday, October 27th: Witness/ Survivors' Group, 3:45pm to 5:00pm
Click Here for more details about the time of the workshops
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