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Recap: VOICES Conducts Preparedness Trainings
On March 28 and 29, VOICES hosted "Preparing for After: Planning for Effective Response Following Acts of Mass Violence" at Grace Farms, in New Canaan, CT. The trainings provided an overview of VOICES preparedness trainings that document best practices for community stakeholders in preparing for, responding to, and recovering from acts of mass violence. The events brought together professionals from over 15 towns across Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, and Massachusetts, including police officers, firefighters, emergency managers, clinicians, and government officials.
The trainings were conducted by VOICES staff Mary Fetchet and Stephanie Landau and presentations were made by individuals who responded to the 9/11 attacks and the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Our thanks to Grace Farms for hosting the event, and our presenters: Dr. Karen Alter-Reid, Psychotherapist & EMDR expert; Jennifer Barahona, Executive Director of the Newtown-Sandy Hook Community Foundation; Karen Carlucci, Psychotherapist & Professional Coach; Retired NYPD Officers Jeannie Kelly and Matthew McCauley from the law firm of Turken, Heath & McCauley; Danny Stebbins, Retired Colonel of the Connecticut State Police; and Jo Ann Zucker, Psychotherapist and Support Group Facilitator. Learn More.
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Supporting the Parkland, Florida Community
As part of our efforts to assist communities impacted by other tragedies, on April 2 VOICES staff traveled to Parkland, Florida to participate in a Parkland Marjory Stoneman Douglas Community Peer Support Event. The peer event was organized by Mike Dempsey and the September 11th Education Trust, and included a delegation of victims' family members and survivors impacted by 9/11, the shootings at Columbine High School, Pulse Night Club, Las Vegas, the Aurora movie theatre, the Washington Navy Yard, the Boston Marathon Bombing and the Israeli terrorist attacks.
Mary Fetchet reflected, "It was a privilege to spend time with the Parkland community. It is our hope that by sharing details about our journeys and listening to their personal stories, we provided them with the comfort of knowing that despite the challenges they face, with the proper support they will heal." Over two hundred Parkland survivors, families, and community members attended the event.
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We Remember: Boston, Virginia Tech, Oklahoma City, Columbine
This month, we remember those impacted by four mass tragedies: the Boston Marathon (April 15, 2013), Virginia Tech (April 16, 2007), Oklahoma City (April 19, 1995), and Columbine High School (April 20, 1999), which commemorated the 20th anniversary. We remember the victims and their families, as well as those who survived, and the community at-large that is forever changed but not defined by the tragedy. As they came together to commemorate, it is our hope that they found comfort and strength in being together and took time to reflect on the courage and resilience, and the important contributions so many have made in the years since.
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Sharing Lessons Learned in Waterloo, Canada
In March, VOICES travelled to Waterloo, Canada to participate in a CIPSRT Spring 2019 PSSC Summit conference hosted by the Canadian Institute for Public Safety Research and Treatment. The conference brought together researchers and representatives from Canadian and International Associations of Chiefs of police, firefighters, paramedics, unions and government officials.
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"Never Forget the Heroes: Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act"
Representatives Carolyn B. Maloney, Jerrold Nadler, and Peter King, chief House sponsors of the bipartisan Never Forget the Heroes: Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act, announced on Monday that the bill now has the support of more than half of the House of Representatives, with 226 total members of the House now cosponsoring the bill.
In a joint statement, the Representatives said: "We're incredibly proud that a majority of the House believes we must fulfill our promise to 'Never Forget' those harmed by 9/11 and we're not done yet. We intend to keep working with our partners in Congress and in the 9/11 community to secure the support of the overwhelming majority of the House as we move this bill through the process."
Now, we must ensure that our senators support the bill as well. You can still take action by clicking here and typing in your address, and finding if your Member of Congress has committed to co-sponsoring the legislation. You can also sign this petition in support of extending the Victim Compensation Fund.
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U.S. v. KSM et al.
On behalf of Karen Loftus, Director of the Victim Witness Assistance Program, we are sharing an invitation to attend an event that will provide an update on the U.S. v. KSM et al. trial, which will be held on Tuesday, May 21 in Naples, Florida. 9/11 family members and NYC Fire and Police personnel who are currently residing in Florida are invited to attend. Please see the invitation below from Karen Loftus:
Many of you know that members of the prosecution team met with families in NYC in January of this year. We have since been invited to Naples FL to provide our Florida families a similar update in U.S. v. KSM et al. Please join Ed Ryan, myself, Domini McDonald, William Andreu and Tim Brown; see details below.
Date: Tuesday, May 21, 2019 at 1300 (1:00 PM)
Location: The Horizon House
3951 Gulf Shore Blvd.
N. Naples, FL 34103
Social Room
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Commemorative License Plate Now Available in New York
New York residents can now order a September 11 commemorative license plate. The plate design features "NEW YORK" in yellow print over a field of light blue stars at the top; "9-11-01" in blue print and "NEVER FORGET" in red print above a truncated American flag and silhouettes of civilians and first responders on the left; and "United We Stand" in red script at the bottom.
The DMV will earmark $25 of the annual fee to support the World Trade Center Memorial Scholarship Fund, which helps children, spouses, and dependents of people who either died or were permanently disabled in the September 11 attacks and the rescue and recovery efforts.
You can order the plates online, over the phone (by calling 518-402-4838), or at a DMV office.
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Register Now for VOICES 5th Annual Golf Outing
Join us on Monday, July 22 for a spectacular day of golf at Westchester Country Club's historic West Course on! Registration is now open for sponsorships, foursomes and individual player tickets. Those not playing golf are welcome to join us later in the day for the cocktail reception and program. Learn more.
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9/11 Memorial 5K & Community Day
On Sunday, April 28, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum will host their seventh annual 5K Run/Walk and Community Day. Funds raised from this year's event support the 9/11 Memorial Glade, which is currently under construction. The Memorial Glade is dedicated to all who were injured, sickened or died as a result of their work or exposure to contaminants during the recovery operations at the World Trade Center site in the aftermath of 9/11.
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VOICES continues our commitment to assisting 9/11 survivors and responders in applying for critical medical and mental health treatment through the World Trade Center Health Program. If you or someone you know lived, worked, or went to school near the World Trade Center disaster site in the days and months following the attacks, you may be eligible for care.
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WTC Health Issues
Memorials and Remembrances
Legislative Updates
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Voices of September 11th (VOICES) is a 501c3 non-profit organization that provides long-term support services and access to resources and mental health care for 9/11 families, survivors and responders; and advocates for public policy to promote national preparedness. VOICES is equally committed to leveraging our expertise to assist communities in responding to other acts of terrorism and mass violence.
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