Voices of September 11th - 9/10 Information Forum,
9/11 Commemorative Luncheon
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Forum Registration
Luncheon Registration
Dear September 11th Families, Rescue Workers and Survivors,
Voices of September 11th cordially invites you to our annual September 10th Information Forum and September 11th Commemorative Luncheon to mark the Fifth Anniversary. The theme of the two day event is “Remember and Renew”. Both events will be held at the Marriott Financial Center Hotel, 85 West Street, New York City, adjacent to the World Trade Center site. The events are open to 9/11 family members, rescue workers and survivors.
The Information Forum will be held Sunday, September 10th from 9:00am to 4pm. The Forum will include several panel discussions, resiliency workshops and an opportunity to connect with other family members. Lunch will be provided for a cost of $10. A children’s program facilitated by professional staff will be provided for our youngest family members-anyone age infant through teenage years. Pre-registration is necessary. The children’s program is free, however lunch is required for a cost of $10.
The Commemorative Luncheon will be held at the Marriott on Monday, September 11, 2006, from 12:00pm to 3:00pm, immediately following the Commemorative Events at Ground Zero. The Connecticut opera has graciously volunteered to perform. We will take this opportunity on the fifth anniversary to recognize the leaders of the 9/11 family groups. artisans and the Oklahoma City families in attendance who have supported our 9/11 community. Reservations are required.
Invitations were sent through the mail, if you have not received an invitation contact our office at (866) 505-3911. An updated schedule of events and registration is also available on the VOICES website.
We hope you are able to join us as we continue to expand our community of support and friendship for all those affected by 9/11.
Warm Regards,
Mary Fetchet
Founding Director
Mother of Bradley Fetchet
Ongoing Activities
A Special program of Art, Music, and Wellness for VOICES' Youngest Members
Continuing with our past success, once again Voices of September 11th will be having a Children’s Program at the September 10th forum. The program is available our youngest family members – anyone age infant through teenage years. Professional staff will provide different age appropriate activities that include music making, arts and crafts, games, and movies. There will also be a lunch time magic show. The program is free, but pre-registration is necessary. See photos from last year's Children's Program by clicking here.
9:00 am to 12:30 pm -- ST. VINCENT'S Alternative Therapy Workshop:
Returning this year to offer alternative therapy treatments is St. Vincent’s WTC Healing Services. St. Vincent's WTC Healing Services. Practitioners will be offering ear acupuncture and Reiki, complementary holistic modalities known to assist in the reduction of stress, by enhancing the individual's sense of calm and well-being. Drop by to learn about the Program's ongoing counseling and stress management services, offered at no charge at their downtown locations.
Our Furry Friends: The Smile Retrievers will be Joining Us Again this Year
VOICES is very excited to welcome once again a visit from the Smile Retrievers, a group of wonderful therapy dogs owned by Mario and Karen Canzoneri. Since 9/11, the Canzoneri’s have frequented Ground Zero and numerous other sites with their golden retrievers Jake, Jessie, Mattie and Macie to provide comfort and companionship to the grieving families, rescue workers and volunteers of 9/11. These four-legged therapists rekindle memories of comfort and affection in a difficult time and we are very happy they will join us again at the Forum.
Story Corps will be recording oral histories from Forum attendees in a private location in the Marriott. Pleae note, you must register with VOICES office prior to the event to record your story. Visit the Story Corps website for more information. Please contact Debbie Westfal at VOICES for Registration
9/11 Living Memorial - Debbie Westfal will be available to gather information about loved ones to add to our 9-11 Living Memorial.
Remember and Renew- Forum Schedule of Events
8:00 am to 9:00 am -- Registration and Continental Breakfast, SECOND FLOOR
9:00 am to 9:30 am -- Opening and Welcome
9:45 am to 10:30 am -- Building Resiliency with Dr. Al Siebert PhD
Presenter: Al Siebert, PhD, will be speaking on Resiliency. He is Director of the Resiliency Center and has extensive experience working with groups undergoing extreme changes. Al Siebert is internationally recognized for his understanding of highly resilient survivors. He is Director of The Resiliency Center and author of The Survivor Personality. His most recent book, The Resiliency Advantage, just won the "2006 Best Self-Help Book" award.
Al is an ex-paratrooper with a PhD in psychology. He is quoted in many articles and has been interviewed about highly resilient survivors on National Public Radio, OPRAH, and CNN. He conducts resiliency workshops for survivors of extreme experiences, first responders, and caregivers. He has conducted many sessions for 9/11 survivors and is recipient of the WTC Survivors Network "Survivors Salute."
Transforming Tragedy: An International Perspective:
What can we learn from the tragedies of others around the world? This international panel brought to the US by Peaceful Tomorrows will share with 9-11 families their global experience of transforming personal tragedy into positive action. Panelists include:
Olga Takaeva, Russia -- A member of the 'Mothers of Beslan', Olga was present during the 2004 Beslan school hostage crisis where armed Chechnyans killed 344 hostages after holding them for three days. As one of the coordinators of the social movement, For the Health of the Nation, Olga is engaged in efforts aimed at assisting the invalids, orphans, and parents lost in the Beslan tragedy.
Joanna Berry, UK -- In 1984 Jo's father was killed when the IRA planted a bomb in a hotel where he was attending a Tory party conference. In a conscious decision to draw meaning from this tragedy. Jo founded the organization 'Building Bridges for Peace'.
Bud Welch, Oklahoma City, OK -- After his daughter Julie's death in the Oklahoma City bombing, Bud became an outspoken opponent of the death penalty. He has addressed the British Parliament and the European Parliament as part of the Amnesty International Journey of Hope in Paris, London and Brussels.
10:45 am to 12:00 pm -- Choose One Activity:
World Trade Center Memorial and Museum Update
Panelists: Alice Greenwald, Director of the World Trade Center Memorial Museum; Anna Papageorge; Senior Vice Presid-ent for Memorial and Cultural Development, and Members of the WTC Memorial design team will provide an update on the WTC Memorial Museum and other pertinent issues. Mary Fetchet and Monica Iken will offer a presentation on the 9/11 Living Memorial, a web-based, family-driven initiative to develop a dynamic, Internet-based knowledge management portal of reflection, remembrance, interaction, education and scholarly research about the tragedy of September 11, 2001. The 9/11 Living Memorial will be launched later this month as a partnership between VOICES and September's Mission.
Resiliency workshop with Al Siebert:
A follow up to Al Siebert's presentation where he will discuss additional resiliency strategies for 9/11 Family Members, rescue and recovery workers and survivors. Space limited registration required.
12:15 pm to 1:15 pm -- Buffet lunch – cost $10 Per adult
A light buffet lunch will be available for Forum participants, but is not required. If you would like to eat lunch at the Forum, please sign up in advance and plan to pay $10 for each person.
1:15 pm to 2:15 pm -- Choose One Activity:
Presentation by Julie Morgenstern:
Presenter: Julie Morgenstern is an internationally renowned organizing and time management expert, best-selling author, corporate productivity consultant and speaker. Julie is known for her engaging, articulate style and warm sense of humour, as well as her unique "inside out" philosophy, which provides customized solutions for individuals and companies that are easy to maintain. Julie is a columnist for "O" the Oprah magazine, and appears regularly on the Oprah Winfrey Show, The Today Show, Good Morning America and National Public Radio.
Dr. Robyn Gershon of the Columbia University WTC Evacuation Study Joins Tania Head and Gerry Bogacz of the Survivors Network for a Panel Discussion
VOICES is pleased to announce that Dr. Robyn Gershon, the Principal Investigator of the World Trade Center Evacuation Study, will be presenting the findings of this landmark study to the VOICES Information Forum. Funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this study is designed to identify the individual, organizational, and structural (environmental) factors associated with evacuation from the World Trade Center Towers One and Two on September 11, 2001. Click to read Dr. Gershon's biography. Dr. Gershon will be joined by Tania Head and Gerry Bogacz- founding member of the WTC Survivors' Network and I escaped the 82nd floor of the North Tower on 9/11 and in 1993. The Network, which was formed in September 2003, currently has 750 people registered, including evacuees, residents, witnesses, volunteers and rescue and recovery workers. of the WTC Survivors' Network, which seeks to provide a forum for personal contact between survivors as a means to empower them to both deal with the circumstances of the aftermath of the attacks and to find renewed purpose in that aftermath. We thank Dr. Gershon and the Survivors' Network and look forward to a presentation of special interest to survivors and rescue and recovery workers.
Support groups - Choose one
Licensed mental health professionals will facilitate discussion and support groups in a private space during this time slot for the following groups
• Parents
• Siblings
• Significant Others
2:30 pm to 3:30 pm -- Choose One Activity:
GETTING INVOLVED: 9/11 FAMILY ADVOCACY
Representatives from the 9/11 Family Advocacy groups will present on how 9/11 family members can become active in advocating for issues important to them. Also, representatives from September's Concert will talk about thier annual musical tribute to the memory of 9/11. Some of the panel participants will be::
• Diane and Kurt Horning- WTC Families for Proper Burial
• Monica Iken- Septembers Mission
• Arnold Korotkin- A community activist for the past 35 years who advocates the use of the internet to empower citizens and for the past five years has provided the 9/11 community with information and news items through the 9/11 List-serv.
• Bill Doyle- Family member and advocate
• Mary Fetchet- Founding Director of Voices of September 11th
WTC United Family Group - Oklahoma City Exchange: “Sharing Grief”
At last year's Forum, VOICES families were joined by individuals directly affected by the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing who shared experiences and resiliency strategies. This year, we are pleased to host another session facilitated by Anthony Gardner, Executive Director and Founder of WTC United Family Group. The devotion of the Oklahoma City families to helping all people affected by terrorism is truly inspirational, and VOICES is proud that they chose to share the September 11th Commemorative weekend with us again this year.
Support Groups - Choose one:
Licensed mental health professionals will facilitate discussion and support groups in a private space during this time slot for the following groups
• Extended Family
• Spouses
• Adult Children of Victims
• Survivors/ Witnesses
• Rescue and Recovery workers
3:30 pm to 4:00 pm -- Closing Ceremony:
Special guests will join Mary Fetchet for a brief ceremony to bring the September 10th Information Forum to a close
Forum: Information for the 9/11 Community
Service Providers Will be Available All Day in the Main Ballroom:
The NYC Medical Examiner's office will be on hand to make ID cards for Family Members.
Representatives from the NYPD Property Clerk will be available to answer questions.
The Families of Freedom Scholarship will answer you questions and concerns.
Magnificent Quilts, Music and Art work will be on display
Artists and Artisans to Offer Their Talents to VOICES Forum:
America's Quilts: The Victim's Quilt -- This massive quilt was a perfect background for VOICES’ Information Forum and Commemorative Luncheon on September 11th, 2005. We are very proud that this powerful and eloquent record for all Americans who have fallen victim to recent terrorist attacks is returning to VOICES events this year.
World Trade Center Memorial Quilt -- Our lives were changed forever on 9-11-01. On 9-13-01, Kathy Baumgardner felt led to start this quilt project. What started out as one quilt has turned into five. One for the World Trade Center Memorial, the Pentagon, the Somerset County, PA Memorial, the FDNY and the NYPD. The end result consists of 5 quilts containing 524 squares from 47 states and 14 countries. Kathy currently exhibiting the quilts before they take up permanent residence in their respective areas-we are so glad she chose to share her wonderful tribute with VOICES members
Freedom Quilts -- Betty Nielsen began a project to benefit 9/11 victims’ families. With the help of her students and various groups around the country, Betty has made and collected over 4000 quilts to be distributed to each victim's family of the September 11th attacks.
Bead Quilt -- "Urged by the tragedies of September 11th, 2001, bead artists from around the globe united to create a unique and heartfelt memorial. The simple concept that "Art Heals" spurred an incredible collective work that continues to touch the lives and hearts of those who view it. The quilts make a powerful statement of hope, healing and remembrance....
Our mission is for the resulting artworks to one day be on permanent display in the 3 cities that were attacked... The Bead Quilt Organization is very honored to be able to exhibit the Bead Quilt at our forum this year!"
The Button Project -- Artist Sarah Haskell has created a moving memorial to the Victims of September 11th called "Each One," a 4x10 foot linen background with a button attached for each person who perished in the attacks arranged in a pattern that echoes the Twin Towers. She has kindly agreed to display her tribute at the Forum.
Dianne Brudnicki -- A Seattle art teacher, personally financed a book of artwork created by her students that was distributed to 9/11 families and has been featured on the VOICES website. This year, Dianne is bringing a large number of "friendship boxes," wooden or metal containers decorated with expressions of friendship and support, created by her students for the 9/11 Community. Click here to watch a KOMO (Seattle) TV report on this wonderful project.
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