Dear Families and Friends,

 

Happy New Year! All of us at VOICES send our heartfelt wishes for health, happiness, and peace!

 

As we begin 2025, we are hosting community focus groups on January 21 and January 22. We hope you will join us - Your input is important and will help guide the development of new workshops and webinars.

 

We have an exciting year planned, working in three areas – support, education and training. Our support programs provide continuity of care to address the evolving needs of victims’ families, responders and survivors with a focus on promoting resilience, mental health care and wellbeing. Working with our partners, VOICES education initiatives include our annual NYC Symposium in September, monthly webinars and participation in local, national and international conferences. This year we are expanding VOICES preparedness training by broadening our outreach to help communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from tragedy.

 

Thank you to all who have donated to our Annual Appeal! For others who are interested in supporting our work, please consider making a donation.

 

Wishing you a wonderful start to 2025!

 

With warm regards,

 

Victims' Family Members

January 27 - Register

 

Survivors

January 28 - Register

 

Bereavement Group for Those Who Lost a Loved One in the Past 3 Years

January 9, January 23 - Register

Responders

January 13 - Register

 

Caregivers

January 15 - Register

 

Parents Helping Parents In-Person Peer Support Group

January 15 - Register

 

VOICES was honored to participate in the Region One ESF-8 (CT) Seat at the Table Conference on December 1, along with 200 other community stakeholders. The theme throughout the day was building partnerships during ‘blue sky’ days so when an emergency occurs, our communities can quickly communicate and mobilize to assist residents, especially those who are most vulnerable. VOICES distributed Preparedness Backpacks to representatives at the event.

 

VOICES Program Director, Stephanie Landau conducted three in-person Preparedness workshops for members of STAR, Inc., Lighting the Way, a nonprofit that serves individuals of all ages with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The workshops provided important guidelines to prepare for an emergency. Participants were enthusiastic to receive Preparedness Backpacks with emergency supplies.

 

The terrorist attack on Bourbon Steet in New Orleans last week senselessly took the lives of 14 innocent individuals and injured many others. Our thoughts are with the families of those who died and all those impacted, including the individuals who witnessed or narrowly survived the attacks. Recognizing that many of those impacted have since returned to their homes outside New Orleans, we want to offer our support and share available resources. If you or someone you know was impacted, feel free to email us at support@voicescenter.org or call our office at 203-966-3911. Additionally, we have included resources that can be shared.

 

Traumatic Events Tip Sheets | NMVC Resource Guide

 

Due to escalating medical costs and increasing numbers of responders and survivors coming forward, the funding formula for the WTC Health Program will not provide enough funds to cover all the care that is needed for those still suffering the physical and mental impact of 9/11. In a race against time, Senator Gillibrand and Congressman Garbarino are gearing up to introduce a new bill this month aimed at closing the funding shortfall and safeguarding these essential services. Read more.

 

A portrait of former Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney was unveiled at the U.S. Capitol on December 18th. The portrait, painted by Sharon Sprung, depicts the Congresswoman wearing a firefighter’s jacket, symbolizing her dedication to supporting first responders. Maloney, who represented New York from 1993 to 2023, was instrumental in passing the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and DuCompensation Act, securing $4.4 billion for first responder health programs. VOICES Founding Director Mary Fetchet noted, “Congresswoman Maloney also played a pivotal role in supporting 9/11 families to ensure that the 9/11 Commission was established. It wouldn’t have happened without her!”

Recent articles of relevance to the VOICES community:

From 9/11 to today, helping families and communities heal after tragedy

Voices Center for Resilience assists communities in preparing for and recovering from tragedy, and provides long-term support and resources that promote mental health care and wellness, for victims' families, responders and survivors.

More Information: VoicesCenter.org
(203) 966-3911 | Support@VoicesCenter.org

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