April 09, 2009

Dear Families and Friends,

Last Friday evening, I attended Tuesday’s Children “Women of Strength” fundraising event.  I was truly honored to be recognized along with a remarkable group of women—Abigail Carter, Christie Coombs, Meaghan Coombs, and Eileen Lynch—all of whom have been a great inspiration to so many over the years.  My sincere thanks to my friends at Tuesday’s Children for this wonderful award and for the beautiful event they arranged.

On Monday, June 8th we are hosting our second annual “Always Remember” fundraising event at Pier Sixty in New York City.  We are honored to have President Bill Clinton, who has graciously agreed to be our keynote speaker.  We are also finalizing very exciting entertainment.    All proceeds from the event will benefit our work to create the 9/11 Living Memorial Project.  The invitations will be mailed shortly and you will be able to register via our website too.  So please Save the Date!

Taking into consideration the economic environment, our fundraising efforts are more important than ever. We truly appreciate the continued support of our great family of donors, who have made our work possible over the years. As we hope you agree, the 9/11 Living Memorial Project —the focus of our fundraising effort —provides families with an opportunity to honor the life of their loved one in a meaningful way. We hope you will support this important project. If you have auction items you wish to contribute or are interested in corporate sponsorships, please contact our office.

In closing, the springtime holidays of Easter and Passover are upon us. We hope you have an opportunity to spend time with family and friends, and find peace and comfort during this very special time of year.

Warm Regards,

VOICES Programs and events

VOICES Adds Child and Family Therapist
VOICES of September 11th is pleased to announce that Monica Rosado, LCSW has joined its staff, expanding the organization’s capacity to provide targeted mental health services to all those impacted by the September 11th terrorist attacks. Ms. Rosado is a clinical social worker who will focus specifically on the needs of families and children by providing case management services, facilitating support groups, and developing programs and educational materials.

Please learn more about Ms. Rosado in our Press Release.

9/11 Living Memorial Workshop Schedule

VOICES is commemorating each and every life impacted by the September 11th terrorist attacks—including those who were lost, those who survived, and those who came to the rescue—through the 9/11 Living Memorial. We are hoping all those affected will participate. We hold workshops throughout the tri-state area; scheduled workshops are listed below. It is also possible to arrange a workshop in your neighborhood. To learn more, or to register for a workshop, please contact Michelle Doherty at (203) 966-3911 or mdoherty@voicesofsept11.org. You can also visit www.911livingmemorial.org. 

KBW, New York
Date: Thursday, April 23rd for KBW families & employees
Time: 10:00am to 5:00pm by Appointment
Location: Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, 787 7th Avenue, Fourth Floor, New York, NY

New Brunswick, New Jersey
Date: Thursday, April 30th
Time: 11:00am to 5:00pm by Appointment
Location: New Brunswick Development Corporation, 120 Albany Street, Tower 1, 7th Floor, New Brunswick, New Jersey

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, April 14th : Wives with No or Older Children 3:45pm to 5:00 pm

Tuesday, April 14th : Parenting Group 9:00pm to 10:00pm

Tuesday, April 21st : Parents Group 3:45pm to 5:00pm

Tuesday, April 28th : Witness/Survivor Group 3:45pm to 5:00pm

Tuesday, April 28th : Rockland County Parents In-Person Group 7:00pm to 9:00pm

Community Events

April 24th, 2009

Beverly Eckert to be Honored during Arbor Day Celebration

A tree will be planted and dedicated in memory of 9/11 activist and VOICES co-founder Beverly Eckert, who died when Flight 3407 crashed in Buffalo, New York on February 12, 2009. The ceremony will take place during an Arbor Day celebration at the Jackie Robinson Park of Fame in Stamford, CT, and will begin at 11:00 am on Friday, April 24th, 2009. Please contact our office for more information.

April 30th, 2009

Michael Lynch Memorial Foundation Scholarship Deadline is April 30th, 2009

The Michael Lynch Memorial Foundation will award college scholarships to the children of New York City Firefighters, Victims of September 11, 2001, and victims of other disasters and fires.  Interested applicants should visit its website at www.mlynch.org to obtain an application and review the candidate selection process. A written request for an application may also be obtained by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: The Michael Lynch Memorial Foundation, PO Box 132, Bronx, NY 10465

Scholarship announcements are scheduled for June 30, 2009.

Sunday, May 3, 2009

The 3rd annual “Captain Martin J. Egan, Jr. 5K Memorial Run/Walk”

The 3rd annual “Captain Martin J. Egan, Jr. 5K Memorial Run/Walk” will take place at 10:00 am on May 3, 2009 at the Midland Beach Picnic Area (Father Capodanno Boulevard and Lincoln Avenue, Staten Island, NY). Applications are available at The Staten Island Runner www.sirunning.com. For more information, please call (718) 710-1944. 

In the News

9/11 Victim Identified
The 1627th World Trade Center victim has been identified. Manuel Emilio Mejia, 54, was identified on March 26 on the basis of his personal possessions. The remains of 1,125 others who perished on 9/11 have not yet been identified. To learn more, visit Newsday.

Tuesday’s Children Honored Women of Strength
More than 110 people attended a Yale Club dinner held by the 9/11 advocacy organization Tuesday’s Children to honor five women “who have shown through their example that it is possible to not only be resilient in the face of loss, but to rise above it and become an inspiration for others.” The women were Abigail Carter, who wrote Alchemy of Loss; Christie Coombs, founder of The Jeffrey Coombs Memorial Foundation; Meaghan Coombs, creator of the Summer Ends Concert Series; Mary Fetchet, Founding Director of VOICES of September 11th; and Eileen Lynch, inspiration for and teacher of Creative Insight. Proceeds will support a wide range of programming for 9/11 family members. To learn more, visit Tuesday’s Children.

Congress Passes GIVE Act
Congress has passed legislation that would designate September 11th as a National Day of Service and Remembrance. The Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education Act or GIVE Act (H.R. 1388) also provides federal support for many national service programs. Click here to learn more.

Obama Administration Will No Longer Use Phrase “War on Terror”
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has confirmed that the Obama Administration, while not issuing an official directive, will refrain from using the term “War on Terror.” The phrase has been criticized by many in the international community, who find it too broad. To learn more, visit ABC News.

9/11 Health and Compensation Act Would Reopen Victim Compensation Fund

On March 31st, a hearing was held by a House Judiciary subcommittee regarding H.R. 847, the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2009. In a press release, Rep. Carolyn Maloney described the importance of the legislation, designed to address the health crisis caused by the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. The bill would provide medical monitoring and treatment to those affected by the toxic dust created when the World Trade Center collapsed. It would also reopen the federal Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) to provide compensation for financial hardships caused by related illnesses or injuries. Rep. Maloney believes reopening the Fund would reduce or eliminate costly litigation; over 10,000 people are currently suing New York City and its contractors for damages sustained through the attacks. To read Rep. Maloney’s press release, click here.

To read accounts of the hearing, including pros and cons of reopening the Fund and details on responders who traveled to Washington in support of the legislation, read the NY Times and the Daily News.

Controversy Surrounds Name for Ground Zero Site

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has elected to change the name of the tallest tower at the World Trade Center site currently under construction from the “Freedom Tower” to “1 World Trade Center.” Representatives for the authority said it will be easier to market the building using the latter name. However, debate has ensued, with many expressing their preference for “Freedom Tower,” as well as concerns about the renaming of the building to “1 World Trade Center.”

To learn more, read the NY Times and the Daily News.

Obama Administration Will Maintain Bush Focus on Counterterrorism

The White House has indicated that counterterrorism will remain the top priority of the Justice Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, continuing the Bush Administration’s shift of resources away from conventional law enforcement. To learn more, visit the NY Times.