VOICES Programs and events

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. 

Forest Hills, New York
Date: Tuesday, April 7th
Time: 1:00pm to 5:00pm by Appointment
Location: Forest Hills Library, 108-91 71st Avenue, Forest Hills, NY 11375

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

(Wait List Availability Only)
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

KBW, New York
Date: Thursday, May 21st for KBW families & employees
Time: 10:00am to 5:00pm by Appointment
Location: Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, 787 7th Avenue, Fourth Floor, New York, NY

Manhasset, New York
Date: Thursday, June 18th
Time: 11:00am to 5:00pm by Appointment
Location: Manhasset Public Library, 30 Onderdonk Avenue, Manhasset, NY

Community Events

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. 

America’s Camp Serves Kids Who’ve Lost Parents on 9/11, and Others

America's Camp is a one-week sleep away camp for children who lost a parent or sibling as a result of the attacks on September 11 and for children or siblings of firefighters and law enforcement officers lost in the line of duty at any time. Enrollment has begun for this year’s session, which will take place from Tuesday, August 18 through Tuesday, August 25, 2009.  

Provided at no cost to boys and girls entering 2nd through 10th grades, the camp is located at the site of Camp Danbee, on the shores of magnificent Lake Ashmere, nestled in the heart of the beautiful Berkshire Mountains of Massachusetts.  

For more information, visit America’s Camp at http://www.americascamp.org/ or call (800) 548-6295.

In the News

Responders Travel to DC on 3/31 in Support of 9/11 Health and Compensation Act
9/11 rescue and recovery workers, many of whom worked for months at Ground Zero in the aftermath of 9/11, are traveling to Washington, DC on March 31 in support of H.R. 847, the 9/11 Health and Compensation Act. The bill would provide medical monitoring and treatment to those who were exposed to toxins at the site. It would also reopen the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund to provide compensation to those who were harmed as an alternative to the current litigation system. To learn more about the bill, visit Rep. Carolyn Maloney’s site.  To learn how you can join the responders, visit the FealGood Foundation.

Tuesday’s Children to Honor Women of Strength
The 9/11 advocacy organization Tuesday’s Children will be holding a dinner on Friday evening April 3 to honor five women “whose resilience, insight, imagination, and commitment have been an inspiration to many.” The women are 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. For tickets to the event, which will be held at the Yale Club, please visit Tuesday’s Children or call 516-562-9000.

9/11 Responders Hold Protest

Representatives of the NYC Coalition of Uniformed Services gathered at New York’s City Hall on March 19 to protest what they say is the Bloomberg administration’s position on claims filed for illness and injuries resulting from 9/11 rescue and recovery operations. The protesters contend the City wants to dismiss the claims of uniformed personnel because they are not entitled to workplace protection under state labor laws. The City says its motion did not ask for the dismissal of a single plaintiff’s case, and that the reaction to the motion that they filed highlights the need for legislation to reopen the federal Victim Compensation Fund to provide compensation without the need for costly and divisive litigation. Read more at NY1 and the NY Post.

Some Guantanamo Detainees May Be Released in US
Attorney General Eric Holder has indicated some prisoners now detained at Guantanamo Bay may be released in the United States. The Obama Administration says firm decisions have not yet been made; they are considering a number of options, and are continuing to work with European allies who may also accept some detainees. Read more at the Wall Street Journal.   9/11 family members have expressed concern about the release of the detainees.  The Times of London reports that a former Guantanamo detainee who was released to Afghan authorities in 2007 is now a Taliban commander in the Afghan province of Helmand. Read the story here. 

GAO Describes Progress and Challenges in Screening Passenger Aircraft Cargo
The US Government Accountability Office (GAO) has issued a report detailing their observations on the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) progress in meeting deadlines on passenger aircraft cargo screenings. Key steps have been taken to meet the statutory mandate, but challenges remain. To read highlights of the report, click here.

Church and Port Authority Reach Impasse on Rebuild
Eight months ago, the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, which was destroyed in the September 11th attacks on the World Trade Center, had reached a tentative agreement with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to rebuild on a larger piece of property. Last week, however, the Port Authority announced it would cease negotiations, as the two sides have been unable to agree on final terms. The Church retains the right to rebuild on its original lot. Church officials still hope talks will go on, but the Port Authority appears firm, since continuing negotiations will delay rebuilding other structures at the site. Read more at the New York Times.

National Cybersecurity Focus of Concern
In the days since President Obama launched a 60-day study of national cybersecurity (due in April), the issue has gained increasing prominence as officials struggle to decide how best to protect government computer networks from potentially disabling cyber attacks. In early March, Rod A. Beckstrom resigned his post as director of the National Cybersecurity Center, objecting to the large role of the National Security Agency.  A week later, Air Force Gen. Kevin Chilton, who leads the Pentagon's Strategic Command, told Congress the US must protect against cyber attacks that "potentially threaten not only our military networks, but also our critical national networks." (Read more at the Washington Post.) Meanwhile the Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a report with suggestions for improving our national cybersecurity strategy. Click here to read the report.

1993 WTC Bombing Victim Awarded $5.4M

Former Deloitte & Touche manager Linda Nash, who sued the Port Authority over traumatic brain injuries she said she sustained in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, has been awarded $5.4 million dollars by the jury in the case. Read more at the Daily News.

Five Guantanamo Detainees Accept 9/11 Responsibility;
Decision to Release Their Pleading Criticized

Five men charged with planning the September 11th terrorist attacks have filed a document with the Guantanamo Bay military commission in which they accept responsibility with pride for the events that killed nearly 3000 people. Read more at the NY Times.
Defense counsel and civil liberties groups criticized the judge’s release of the detainees’ pleading, saying it violated President Obama’s order to stop all military commissions. See the Washington Post.

House Considers Establishing 9/11 as National Day of Service
Legislation has been introduced to Congress 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) would also provide federal support for many national service programs. Read more in MyGoodDeed.org’s press release.

9/11 Recovery Workers: Remain Eligible for Workers’ Comp by Registering
New York City’s 9/11 Health web site reports that: “In general, workers must file claim within two years of the accident. Since 9/11 health-related conditions may not develop for many years, workers and volunteers who participated in WTC rescue and recovery operations can remain eligible for Workers’ Compensation benefits if they register by September 11, 2010.” To learn more about filing 9/11-related workers’ compensation claims, visit New York City’s 9/11 Health page.

Artists Registry Established at National September 11 Memorial & Museum

A virtual art gallery has been established by the National September 11 Memorial & Museum “in response to the events of September 11 by members of a diverse artistic community ranging from seasoned professionals to individuals inspired, perhaps for the first time, to express their reactions to 9/11 through visual, tactile or auditory media.” All those moved to produce art in response to 9/11 are encouraged to participate. To learn more on how to contribute or the gallery in general, visit the Museum’s web site.

FEMA Urges People with Special Needs to Prepare for Emergencies
Senior citizens and others with disabilities should prepare in advance in case disaster strikes. Plans should be developed with physicians and other providers so that prescription medications, special equipment and other needs are available during emergencies. For specific suggestions on steps to take in advance, visit FEMA.