Voices of September 11

1. Since 2001, Voices has remained true to our organizational mission. Based on a continuity of care model, we provide long term supports to 9/11 families, responders, and survivors, and are called upon to support communities coping with other tragic events. In part, our efforts are directed towards guiding enrollment of 9/11 responders and survivors into the world trade center health program (wtchp). This work involves assisting individuals throughout the enrollment process and answering all related questions. Additionally, we continue to provide social services support to responders and survivors including families of the over 5,000 that have died since 9/11 due to exposures to toxins at, or near, the site.

3. Voices mental health programming continues to include case management, facilitation of focus groups, and virtual support groups utilizing zoom. In 2021, Voices provided more that 300 hours of support group services and made appropriate referrals for more intensive mental health supports as necessary. Participants benefit from coming together and staying informed on relevant issues thus building resiliency. With a foundation in social work principles and continuity of care over the long term, we estimate providing over 172,000 hours of direct social work services since 2001. In addition, Voices continues to provide educational programming throughout the year, inviting subject matter experts to share their knowledge on topics such as, building resilience, coping with loss & grief, writing as a healing tool, and the latest in ptsd treatments. These workshops, which include breakout group opportunities for participants to process new learning together, form a strong annual curriculum of support that is then archived on our website to be viewed by a wider audience.

2. In addition to attracting large numbers from the 9/11 community, Voices programs serve as professional learning opportunities for mental health clinicians, as well as others in the support services space. Voices hosted our annual two-day symposium on 9/9/2021 and 9/10/2021, both in-person and virtually. More than 1,300 individuals from 36 states and 9 countries participated, and the overall program provided critical information for our target audience - building resiliency in all who attended. As an organization, Voices was very pleased with participation in the event, and our data collection shows that the opportunity to view sessions virtually, significantly increased the event's reach.

4. Our mission has expanded to include helping other communities cope with the aftermath of tragic events. This work is built upon a combination of lessons learned from lived experience, and from a body of research conducted to deepen our expertise on related topics. Research outcomes provide us with deeper knowledge to offer advice to communities planning for, or healing from, mass violence or terrorism. We are hopeful that through the process of archiving our years of research, video content, and documents reflecting our advocacy work into the wolfgruber digital resource library, Voices will provide a robust and meaningful history for researchers, clinicians, and others wishing to learn more about any facet of our journey.