|
Remembering Our Chairman Kurt Wolfgruber
All of us at VOICES are deeply saddened by the loss of our cherished friend and leader, Kurt Wolfgruber, who passed away last week after courageously battling pancreatic cancer. For over a decade, Kurt served as VOICES Chairman of the Board guiding the organization with integrity, compassion and enthusiasm. Kurt was dedicated to ensuring the 9/11 families, responders and survivors have the support they need over the long-term, and to sharing our lessons learned to help those impacted by other tragedies. Kurt's friendship and guidance will be forever missed.
Thank you to everyone who shared your memories and kind words. In Kurt's memory, his legacy will live on through our work.
A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, June 25 at 11:00 AM at Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church in New York City. Details about the Memorial service, photographs, and Kurt's obituary are available on our website. |
|
PTSD Awareness Month
June is Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Month, and VOICES continues to promote awareness about this important cause. About half of those who responded to, survived, or lost loved ones on 9/11 have PTSD. Because PTSD is classified as an anxiety disorder, it is treatable. As with any condition, increased awareness and early detection can help those suffering seek successful treatment as soon as possible.
PTSD is often misunderstood by those without firsthand experience, and as a result the condition is often left untreated. Here at VOICES we encourage an open dialogue. Learn more about symptoms, resources, and treatment options. |
|
Legislative Update: "Never Forget the Heroes: Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act"
On June 11, a Congressional hearing was held on the permanent reauthorization of the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) with testimony from Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, Congressman Peter King, VCF Special Master Rupa Bhattacharyya, Dr. Jacqueline Moline, and others.
Jon Stewart made an emotional plea, calling upon Congress "to do the right thing", and retired NYPD detective Luis Alvarez, who has terminal cancer, gave a heartbreaking testimony just prior to his 69th chemotherapy treatment. Sadly, Luis has been admitted to hospice care. Despite his illness he participated in an interview from his hospital bed to advocate for the VCF on behalf of other responders.
On June 12, the House Judiciary Committee unanimously voted to advance the bill to permanently authorize the VCF. Advocacy efforts now turn to the Senate and support from Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
Here at VOICES, we support all efforts to ensure the brave responders and survivors have the financial support they need and deserve. If your Senator has not signed onto sponsor the bill, we encourage you to contact their office. Click here to view the sponsors of the Senate bill. |
|
VOICES Internship Program
In late May, VOICES welcomed our newest class of talented high school and college interns! Three second semester seniors from New Canaan High School and four college students from the University of Richmond, Bucknell University, and Colgate University are busy working alongside our staff on a variety of projects.
In the coming weeks they will begin interviewing 9/11 families, responders, and survivors to create a film that documents their stories of resilience.
|
|
VOICES Attends Opening of 9/11 Memorial Glade
On May 30, VOICES was honored to attend the dedication and opening of the 9/11 Memorial Glade at the 9/11 Memorial Museum. 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.
"Like the heroes we lost on 9/11, their selfless acts provided light that helped guide us through our darkest hours and they allowed our city to rise again," said former NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
The Memorial Glade consists of a pathway flanked by six monoliths protruding from the ground, inlaid with steel from the towers. Learn more about the Glade.
A special thank you to VOICES Support Team who attended the Memorial Glade dedication! They generously volunteered their time and were available to provide support when needed to those attending the dedication.
|
|
Sharing Lessons Learned in Vancouver
Last month, VOICES participated in a conference, Counterterrorism Response from a Canadian Perspective, hosted by the School of Criminology at Simon Fraser University and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Vancouver, British Columbia. Mary Fetchet participated in a panel titled "Victim Support Center- Victims of Terrorism", alongside Sue O'Sullivan, Chair of INVICTM and Detective Superintendent Pete Sparks with the UK National Police Coordination Center. Together, they shared their expertise in working with victims' families and survivors to ensure that victims' needs and issues are incorporated into a counterterrorism response.
|
|
Thank You First County Bank and New Canaan Community Foundation
VOICES would like to thank First County Bank and New Canaan Community Foundation for their generous donations that support our programs. First County Bank's contribution is assisting the development of VOICES preparedness trainings. Once again, VOICES internship program is made possible by the generosity of the New Canaan Community Foundation. Thank you to our partners, First County Bank and the New Canaan Community Foundation for supporting our work!
|
|
July 22: VOICES 5th Annual Golf Outing
VOICES 5th Annual Golf Outing in only one month away! We hope you will join us on Monday, July 22 for a beautiful day at Westchester Country Club. Foursomes and individual player tickets are going fast, so reserve your spot today!
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. |
|
Mark Your Calendar for VOICES Upcoming Events in New York City
Monday, September 9
VOICES Resiliency Symposium
Marriott Downtown Hotel
Tuesday, September 10
18th Annual Day of Remembrance Information Forum
Marriott Downtown Hotel
Tuesday, September 24
VOICES Annual Always Remember Gala
New York Athletic Club
|
Memorials and Remembrances
|
|
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; commemorates the lives and stories of September 11, 2001; 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.
|
|
|
Support Our Work
| |
Connect with VOICES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
