During the month of May we are promoting Mental Health Awareness, a cause that is near and dear to our hearts. VOICES has always been a staunch proponent of promoting resiliency through education and connecting individuals with resources that promote mental health wellness. Building awareness and destigmatizing treatment for mental health conditions is the first step.

 

You may not be aware that one in five Americans are affected by a mental health condition in a given year, and mental health issues are prevalent among those impacted by traumatic events. Oftentimes, when an individual suffers from mental health issues, the whole family is affected.

 

Due to stigma and/or lack of access to treatment, many do not seek care. Left untreated, mental health conditions can become more complicated and may result in lost earnings, hospitalization, medical issues, and in some cases suicide. Know that you are not alone and with the proper treatment, individuals with mental health conditions can live a productive life. Learn More about building awareness of mental health.

In early May, VOICES participated in the Leadership in Counter Terrorism (LinCT) Alumni Association 2019 International Counter Terrorism Forum in Toronto, Canada. Mary and Frank Fetchet became honorary members of LinCT in 2014, and have provided a victims' voice to the conversation about the response of law enforcement in the aftermath of mass violence. At the Forum, Mary joined the Incorporating Victims' Issues and Resilience into Your Counterterrorism Strategy panel.

 

Mary remarked, "As a victim's family member who fought for the creation of the 9/11 Commission, it is remarkable to witness firsthand the international collaboration of dedicated law enforcement and intelligence agencies who risk their lives every day to make our communities safer, in the United States and abroad. It's an honor to participate with Sue O'Sullivan, Chair of the INVICTM International Network, and my fellow panelists and support the efforts of the LinCT organization in incorporating victims' needs in their work."

We hope you will join us on Monday, July 22 for our 5th Annual Golf Outing!

 

Once again, this year's event will be held at the spectacular Westchester Country Club's historic West Course! Registration is now open for sponsorships, foursomes and individual player tickets. If you are not playing golf but are interested in supporting our work, we invite you to join us later in the day for the cocktail reception and program. Learn more.

 

For more information on sponsorships or to reserve your spot, contact Frank Fetchet at (203) 966-3911 or ffetchet@voicesofsept11.org.

On Thursday, May 30, the 17th anniversary of the end of the recovery effort, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum will dedicate the 9/11 Memorial Glade at the World Trade Center site. The Glade honors all 9/11 responders, survivors, and community members who are sick or have died from exposure to toxins in the aftermath of 9/11. The Glade also recognizes the courage, selflessness and perseverance of the men and women of the rescue and recovery effort.

 

The 9/11 Memorial & Museum invites you to gather with us near the Glade, in the center of the Memorial plaza on Thursday, May 30. The dedication ceremony will begin promptly at 10:30 a.m. The Glade will open to the public immediately following the dedication ceremony.

 

The Glade design was developed by the Memorial's original architects, Michael Arad and Peter Walker, with the thoughtful support of 9/11-health advocates and providers, 9/11 family members, first responders and lower Manhattan residents.

 

To help the 9/11 Memorial in their planning efforts, please RSVP to rsvp@911memorial.org with your name and number of guests.

 

If you are planning to attend the dedication ceremony, please click here for detailed information.

 

At 4:30pm, the 9/11 Memorial in partnership with "Choir! Choir! Choir!" and ALL ARTS, will present a special community event, "Hallelujah: A May 30 Tribute", honoring those who are sick or have died because of 9/11 illnesses, their families and all those who responded when our nation needed it most. Tickets for this program are complimentary but required, and can be reserved here.

On Thursday, May 23, advocate Fred Guttenberg will join ABC News Chief National Correspondent Matt Gutman at the Center for Jewish History in New York City for a special program. The conversation will focus on speaking out, fighting back, and challenging elected officials to do more.

 

Since the death of his daughter Jamie in the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, Florida, Fred has channeled his anger into action by devoting his time to advocating for common sense gun reforms. A native of Long Island, Fred says his Jewish upbringing instilled in him a commitment to family, service, and standing up for others- values he imparted to his own children. Sadly, Fred's brother Michael, who was an FDNY first responder and emergency services leader at Northwell Health who responded to the 9/11 attacks, died in October 2017 of 9/11-related illness.

 

Learn more and purchase tickets today.

The proposed bill to permanently authorize the Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) for 9/11 responders and survivors who are suffering from life-threatening illnesses is approaching 300 bipartisan House sponsors. To date, the legislation has the support of 37 cosponsors from the Senate and 286 cosponsors from the House.

 

We must ensure continued support of the bill from our senators. 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.

In their fight for justice, family members of 9/11 victims are fighting to have the FBI release the names of those who supported the 9/11 hijackers from inside the U.S.

 

At a hearing in New York City on May 13, families demanded the Department of Justice reveal redacted names from FBI transcripts that could show how high-ranking Saudi officials were involved in the attacks. Over 100 family members were in attendance at the hearing.

 

To date, the Department of Justice has refused to allow the release of FBI documents in order to protect a Saudi government official, while citing national security concerns.

If you or someone you know survived the 9/11 attacks, or lived, worked, or went to school in Lower Manhattan in the days and months following, we encourage you to enroll in the World Trade Center Health Program. We can help you through the enrollment process and answer any questions you might have. Contact VOICES Program Director Stephanie Landau at slandau@voicesofsept11.org or by calling our office at 203-966-3911.

VOICES continues to support the 9/11 community - victims' families, responders, and survivors. We want to hear from you about your needs and interests as we plan our programming for the Fall. Send us a note if we can assist you or your family members.

9/11 Health Issues

 

 

 

Memorials and Remembrances

 

 

 

Legislative Updates

 

 

 

Additional Updates