Voices of September 11th (VOICES) is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization that was founded in 2001. The organization is led by founding director Mary Fetchet, a clinical social worker whose 24 year old son, Brad died on 9/11.

For over 17 years, VOICES professional staff has provided a wide range of long-term support services to assist victims' families, survivors and responders in accessing resources and mental health care, while promoting resiliency in their lives.

VOICES Living Memorial Digital Archive commemorates the 2,977 lives lost and documents stories of survivors.

VOICES Center of Excellence for Community Resilience assists individuals and communities impacted by other acts of terrorism and mass violence, in the United States and abroad. Through public-private partnerships, Center initiatives include conferences, curriculum development and training, research and dissemination of information on mental health care, victims' services and national preparedness.

VOICES professional staff provides a wide range of support services and programs that address the long-term, evolving needs of the thousands of victims' families, survivors and responders that we serve, promoting healing and resiliency in their lives. Programs include direct services, assessments and referrals, workshops and conferences, including our annual anniversary events, September 9 Resiliency Symposium and September 10 Day of Remembrance Information Forum.

In 2018, VOICES held three conferences, each bringing together the 9/11 community and those impacted by other tragedies. Leading practitioners, researchers and service providers shared their decades of professional expertise in the fields of mental health, bereavement, and resiliency. Over 300 were in attendance, and over 4,000 viewed the events online via Facebook Live broadcast.

VOICES New Jersey Symposium featured presentations and round-table conversations that provided relevant information for the 9/11 community.

Presentations included the World Trade Center Health Program, Coping After Loss, Building Resiliency and Developing Coping Skills, Treatment Modalities and Alternative Treatments, Promoting Post-Traumatic Growth, and Coping Through Mindfulness.

John Feal and the FealGood Foundation co-hosted the event, which was also sponsored by the World Trade Center Health Program and Kean University's Nathan Weiss Graduate College.

VOICES Resiliency Symposium: Knowledge to Practice, Pathways to Long-Term Healing- A Victim-Centered Approach was a unique opportunity to bridge the gap between research and practice, as well as to learn from individuals who have been directly affected by acts of terrorism and mass violence.

This year, we heard very moving testimonies from parents who lost children in the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut and Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, as well as the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. The day-long event also included presentations by accomplished subject matter experts in conducting researching and treating the multi-generational impact of trauma; PTSD and anxiety; supporting victims of mass tragedy; and promoting resiliency in responders and the community at-large.

Hosted in partnership with the FealGood Foundation, VOICES 17^th Annual Day of Remembrance Information Forum: Reflecting, Remembering, and Inspiring a Resilient Community brought together victims’ families, survivors, and responders, along with practitioners who have dedicated their careers to providing long-term support for the 9/11 community. Representatives from the WTC Health Program Clinical Centers of Excellence provided important updates on treatment for medical and psychological conditions. Legal experts and victims’ advocates discussed victim compensation programs. Experienced clinicians shared their expertise about mental health treatment, helping children and adults cope with loss, and building strength and resiliency.

The afternoon began with peer-to-peer roundtable discussions led by mental health professionals about incorporating resilience into daily life. Representatives from the National September 11th Memorial Museum provided an overview of the Comeback Season exhibit and plans for the 9/11 Memorial Glade.

Closing out the day, ESPN Host Mike Greenberg and Former Manager of the New York Mets Bobby Valentine engaged in an uplifting conversation about how sports united the nation after 9/11.

From Edmonton, Canada to Washington, DC, in 2018 VOICES participated in 15 conferences in the United States and abroad, sharing our expertise with over 4,000 professionals from federal agencies, law enforcement and social service organizations. VOICES remains committed to sharing our lessons learned to assist communities in preparing for and responding to acts of mass violence, and we are honored to work collaboratively with like-minded individuals and organizations to achieve our shared goals.

This year we participated in events hosted by the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, Yale University, Military Family Services Program of Edmonton, Leadership in Counter Terrorism (LinCT), International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS), and Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP). Presentations included a variety of topics including Commemorating the Lives Lost on 9/11; Creating a Narrative for Survivors; Identifying the Long-term Mental Health Needs of Victims of Terrorism; Promoting Resilience and Recovery in Victims’ Families; and Effective Advocacy for Social Change.

VOICES 9/11 Living Memorial is an online archive commemorating the 2,977 lives lost and documenting stories of survivors and responders through an extensive collection of photographs and personal mementos. For over a decade, VOICES staff has worked one-on-one with families to document the precious lives of their loved ones in a meaningful way, and collect the compelling stories of survivors. Today the Living Memorial includes over 85,000 photographs that will continue to grow over time, leaving behind a legacy to ensure future generations will always remember.

VOICES assists survivors and responders in accessing treatment for life-threatening illnesses and serious medical conditions due to their exposure to toxins in Lower Manhattan in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks.

Since the passage of the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act in 2010, VOICES has supported 9/11 survivors and responders through our work with the Centers for Disease Control. Working in collaboration with our outreach partners, we assist survivors and responders in the process of enrolling for medical and mental health treatment at the World Trade Center Health Program Centers of Excellence.

Today, over 40,000 have been diagnosed with life-threatening illnesses, including most cancers and serious mental health conditions including PTSD. VOICES has provided over 1,400 survivors and responders with support services and relevant information through annual conferences and workshops.

In 2018 In 2018 VOICES launched a research project, Knowledge to Practice: Actionable Recommendations for Victims and First Responders to Better Plan and Heal from Mass Violence. The Knowledge to Practice project is further examining key findings of VOICES prior research by conducting interviews with victims’ families, survivors, first responders, and community stakeholders, to better understand their experiences in the aftermath of 9/11. The project is funded by Public Safety Canada’s Policy Development Contribution Program and we are working in collaboration with the Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime and the Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress.

Following acts of mass violence, victims' families, survivors and first responders often struggle as a result of their exposures, resulting in challenges that require interventions. If their needs are not met with supportive interventions, recovery is often difficult.

Knowledge to Practice seeks to better understand these needs by reviewing the experiences of victims' families and responders in accessing resources in the aftermath of 9/11, and canvassing service providers and community stakeholders who

Previous research initiatives VOICES conducted include:

VOICES High School and College Internship Program provides students with valuable professional experience and the opportunity to learn first-hand about the events of September 11^th. As part of the program, our interns work alongside our staff and learn about 9/11, creating the next generation of leaders. Since its inception in 2005, VOICES Internship Program has hosted over 180 students from seven high schools and more than 30 colleges.

Over the summer, our interns researched 9/11 topics, conducted dozens of interviews and produced a short film, Reflecting and Moving Forward - Stories of Resiliency After 9/11. The film was presented to local high school students and community members. View the film by visiting: www.bit.ly/VOICESInternVideo

This year, VOICES hosted 12 interns, who in addition to producing a short film, had the opportunity to visit the 9/11 Memorial and United Nations and attend a Jerusalem Peacebuilders conference along with student leaders from Israel and Palestine. Many of the interns have found their experience to be life-changing and have been inspired to pursue careers in the nonprofit sector, social work, and with federal agencies.

On July 23 we hosted our 4th Annual Golf Outing at Westchester Country Club. Participants enjoyed a spectacular day of golf, followed by an intimate dinner and speaker program.

Special guest speakers included ESPN's Mike Greenberg and former New York Mets Manager Bobby Valentine, who shared his personal journey after 9/11. We were also honored to have a group of responders in attendance from the Joint Terrorism Task Force join us for the day.

Funds raised from the Golf Outing support VOICES efforts to provide long-term support and access to resources and mental health care for 9/11 families, survivors and responders; commemorate the 2,977 lives lost; and share our lessons learned with communities impacted by other tragedies, in the United States and abroad.

VOICES 10th Annual Always Remember Gala was held on April 12 at the New York Athletic Club in New York City. Mike Greenberg, ESPN's award-winning journalist and broadcaster, served as our Emcee. 

VOICES 2018 Leadership Award was presented to Former Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta in recognition of his lifetime commitment to public service spanning over five decades, and his unwavering dedication to protecting our nation.

60 Minutes Award-Winning Foreign Correspondent Lara Logan was recognized with VOICES 2018 Building Bridges Award for her extraordinary bravery and dedication to reporting the news, ensuring international communication of world events. As always, there was a strong sense of community among the nearly 300 attendees, who came together to reflect, remember and support our work.

On September 11, VOICES participated as a benefiting partner at Cantor Fitzgerald Charity Day, which began in commemoration of the 658 Cantor Fitzgerald and 64 Eurobrokers employees lost in the 9/11 World Trade Center attacks. 100% of the revenues raised on 9/11 are donated to the Cantor Fitzgerald Relief Fund, and to hundreds of charities around the world. Since its inception, Cantor has raised $147 million globally.

On December 6, VOICES took part in ICAP Charity Day. Every year, ICAP gives away all of its global commission revenue for one day to numerous charities around the world. We were honored to be chosen to participate in this annual event with organizations dedicated to making a difference. Along with Mike Greenberg, other charity ambassadors included Evander Holyfield, Joe Namath, Patrick McEnroe, Mike Dempsey, and Michael Douglas.

Our work at VOICES is possible because of the generous donation of time, talent, and treasure provided by our volunteers, donors, and sponsors who share our commitment to helping those impacted by 9/11 and other tragedies.

Special thanks to ESPN Radio for broadcasting PSAs featuring Mike Greenberg and Michael Kay. Listen here: www.bit.ly/ESPNPSAs

VOICES has partnered with like-minded subject matter experts, educational institutions, organizations, charities, and government agencies working in the fields of mental health, social services, victim’s services, and community preparedness. The following are a sample of some of our collaborative partners.