VOICES Annual Symposium Bringing Communities Together, continued to highlight our partnerships with like-minded organizations, including LinCT-AA and INVICTM. Our Gala honored ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro with VOICES 2024 Leadership Award, and 9/11 Day Co-founders, Jay Winuk and David Paine with VOICES 2024 Legacy Award, preceded our 9/11 Day Pack for Preparedness event. We launched our inaugural Building Bridges Luncheon, honoring those making a difference, recognizing ABC news anchor and reporter, Bob Woodruff. VOICES was proud to announce the launch of a new series, Accidental Advocates, recognizing the advocacy efforts of individuals who suffered loss and whose mission is to inform and improve the lives of others who may be suffering from similar trauma. VOICES was honored to participate in the Region One ESF-8 (CT) Seat at the Table Conference along with 200 other community stakeholders.

VOICES gave three town presentations of: A Journey from 9/11 to Today: Helping Families and Communities Prepare for Emergencies with local and state emergency management representatives. ASIS International, a global security network, recognized Mary Fetchet, as their Person of the Year. VOICES launched its training program to prepare emergency managers, community stakeholders, and service providers, entitled Community Preparedness Training: A Victim-Centered Approach to Prepare for, Respond to, and Recover from Tragedy. VOICES was selected as a study partner in the WTC Survivor Grief Study that examined the effects of bereavement and trauma on the health-related quality of life among WTC Health Registry survivor enrollees. Our NYC Symposium reached over 1,300 individuals from 28 states and 16 countries, and our Always Remember Gala honored 9/11 Commissioners, Thomas Kean and Lee Hamilton.

This was a year of many “firsts” for VOICES. We launched our Digital Resource Library to promote healing and build resilience to advance mental health and resiliency studies. Our Annual NYC Symposium was held in partnership with the Leadership in Counter-Terrorism Alumni Association and the International Network Supporting Victims of Terrorism and Mass Violence. Parents Helping Parents, a community-based support group, was established by a group of New Canaan parents who experienced the loss of a child. We launched our Meet the Author Series, with VOICES Board Chair, Bonnie McEneaney McNamara and activist, Fred Guttenberg. VOICES was honored to provide the 9/11 Memorial & Museum with a photograph of Antonio Dorsey Pratt, which was the last missing photograph to complete the Museum’s In Memoriam exhibit. Always Remember Gala honored former Commissioners William Bratton (NYPD) and Thomas Von Essen (FDNY).

Remembrance, Reflection, and Resilience was the theme of VOICES 20th Anniversary. In addition to our programs, we hosted three anniversary events this milestone year. Voices of Reflection Art Exhibit, at Silvermine Arts Center in New Canaan, CT, showcased our extensive collection of 9/11-related art. Our 2-day Remembrance Symposium was held in NYC and broadcast online. It featured prominent dignitaries and presentations by professionals from mental health to national security – all of whom discussed their accomplishments over the past 20 years and lessons learned. VOICES “Always Remember” Gala was hosted by ESPN’s Jeremy Schaap. Honored for their dedication and leadership in the aftermath of 9/11, our awardees were Robert Hurst, Founder and Former CEO of 9/11 United Services Group, Edie Lutnick, Co-founder and President of the Cantor Fitzgerald Relief Fund and General David Petraeus, US Army (Ret.).

VOICES, like every other organization, had to pivot in response to the outbreak of the COVID-19 to continue to provide support and promote healing during the pandemic. We created multi-faceted programs that addressed the physical and emotional repercussions of the lockdown – including new COVID-19 Tip Sheets that were distributed worldwide. VOICES embraced the new virtual opportunities and hosted this year’s events online. Our two-day Remembrance Symposium, Pathways to Resilience During Unpredictable Times, engaged over 900 people, from 9 countries and 39 states. Our 2020 Always Remember Virtual Gala honored our Champions of Resilience – George Bodenheimer, Tom Michaud, and George Martin. We were also fortunate to still hold our 7th Annual Golf Outing at the prestigious Quaker Ridge Golf Club.

VOICES hosts its 6th annual New Jersey Resiliency Symposium, as well as two events in New York City to commemorate the 17th anniversary, and participates in 15 conferences in the United States and abroad. VOICES hosts its 4th Annual Golf Outing at Westchester Country Club and 10th Annual Always Remember Gala at the New York Athletic Club, where Former Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta receives VOICES 2018 Leadership Award and 60 Minutes Award-Winning Foreign Correspondent Lara Logan is recognized with VOICES 2018 Building Bridges Award. With funding from Public Safety Canada’s Policy Development Contribution Program, VOICES launches a research project in collaboration with the Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime and the Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress, Knowledge to Practice: Actionable Recommendations for Victims and First Responders to Better Plan and Heal from Mass Violence.

VOICES hosts its 5th annual New Jersey Resiliency Symposium, as well as two events in New York City to commemorate the 16th anniversary. VOICES holds its 3rd annual Golf Outing and 9th Annual Always Remember Gala, where ESPN'S Herm Edwards is honored with the VOICES 2017 Leadership Award and Former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper receives VOICES 2017 Building Bridges Award.

VOICES publishes VOICES of Experience: Helping Communities Heal After Traumatic Events, a two-day training program made possible with funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The organization hosts its annual New Jersey Resiliency Symposium, as well as three events to commemorate the milestone 15th Anniversary. Charles R. Figley Ph.D. is keynote speaker at VOICES September 9th Symposium in New York City. The results from VOICES research project, "Investigating the Long-Term Impact of Bereavement Due to Terrorism: Factors that Contribute to Trauma, Grief, Growth and Resilience" are presented to family members at the 15th Annual Day of Remembrance Information Forum in New York City. VOICES partners with Grace Farms Foundation in New Canaan, CT to present "Remembrance, Renewal, Resilience," a public discourse initiative to commemorate the 15th Anniversary.

VOICES launches new Living Memorial website. With funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, VOICES begins to develop curriculum and training based on "Preparing for After" Resource Kit findings. In partnership with the Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress and the Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime, VOICES conducts research project, "Investigating the Long-Term Impact of Bereavement Due to Terrorism: Factors That Contribute to Trauma, Grief, Growth and Resilience." Funded in part by the Canadian government, the study will examine the long-term mental health needs of victims' families. FBI Director James Comey is keynote speaker at the 8th Annual Always Remember Gala, and former FBI Director Robert Mueller receives VOICES Building Bridges Award. CBS Correspondent Lesley Stahl serves as emcee.

VOICES is awarded a 2-year contract from the CDC to promote services available through the World Trade Center Health Program for 9/11 responders and survivors. "Preparing for After" Resource Kit is released to share lessons learned with communities preparing for and responding to acts of mass violence. Governor Thomas Kean and Senator Joseph Lieberman present keynote conversation at the 7th Annual Always Remember Gala, moderated by CBS correspondent Norah O'Donnell.

VOICES announces the establishment of the Center of Excellence for Community Resilience to share lessons learned and promote healing in the lives of those impacted by disasters. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is keynote speaker for the 6th Annual Always Remember Gala, and New York Police Commissioner Ray Kelly is presented with VOICES Building Bridges Award. Mary Fetchet inducted into the Hall of Fame at Columbia School of Social Work.

With funding received from the U.S. Department of Justice, VOICES continues a two-year research project to document best practices that will educate professionals, service providers and communities impacted by acts of mass violence or natural disasters. VOICES staff travels to Oklahoma City, Virginia Tech, Northern Illinois University and Tucson, AZ to conduct interviews with key stakeholders.

VOICES co-sponsors the 9/11 Tenth Anniversary Summit, "Remembrance, Renewal and Resilience," with the Center for National Policy at the Newseum in Washington, D.C. VOICES holds September 10th Information Forums and September 11th Commemorative Luncheons in Washington, DC and New York City. Keynote speakers in New York City are Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

UK Prime Minister Tony Blair is keynote speaker at VOICES 3rd Annual Always Remember Gala and meets privately with 9/11 families. VOICES co-hosts a conference with Rutgers University School of Social Work on "Lessons Learned from the Aftermath of 9/11." VOICES rings the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange on September 10th.

VOICES and the National September 11 Memorial & Museum announce a formal collaboration to incorporate the 9/11 Living Memorial Project into the museum. President Bill Clinton is keynote speaker and Jon Bon Jovi entertains at 2nd Annual Always Remember Gala. Co-Founder Beverly Eckert perishes in the airline crash of Continental Flight 3407 in Buffalo, NY. VOICES opens its New Brunswick, NJ office, with Governor Thomas Kean and other dignitaries in attendance.

The annual Information Forum features President Bill Clinton, who speaks on the progress on Homeland Security over the last seven years and the global threats that still remain. VOICES hosts its first annual Always Remember Gala, with Brian Williams serving as Master of Ceremonies.

VOICES staff begins meeting with family members to collect photographs for the 9/11 Living Memorial Project. Mary Fetchet testifies before the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. The annual Information Forum includes a presentation by New York Times journalist, Janny Scott, about her experience writing the Portraits of Grief tributes.

An announcement is made that VOICES will launch the 9/11 Living Memorial Project, an online digital archive chronicling the lives lost on 9/11 and documenting the stories. Mary Fetchet testifies on Capitol Hill about the effectiveness of the measures recommended by the 9/11 Commission.

Mary Fetchet, along with other 9/11 family members, testifies at the Homeland Security hearings. "Friendship bears" are presented by VOICES to Russian Ambassador Yuri Ushakov for the family members of the victims of the Breslin School attacks in Russia. VOICES holds a Holiday Interfaith Service at St. Paul's Chapel.

Over 1,600 family members attend the VOICES Information Forum and Luncheon in September, providing an opportunity for 9/11 families from around the world to gather together and access information. VOICES partners with the Department of Homeland Security and the American Red Cross to promote September as National Preparedness Month. Mary Fetchet testifies before the U.S. Senate Governmental Affairs Committee.

VOICES receives non-profit status and co-hosts a workshop with Imagine New York about plans for a Memorial to the 9/11 victims. Mary Fetchet testifies before the Commissioners for the 9/11 Independent Commission.

VOICES opens its first office in New Canaan, CT and hires social workers to provide clinical support. On September 10, the organization hosts its first annual Information Forum and September 11th Commemorative luncheon at the Marriott Downtown Hotel in New York City. Together with other members of the 9/11 Family Steering Committee, Mary Fetchet and Beverly Eckert demand a congressional joint inquiry into intelligence failures that led to the terrorist attacks.

In the aftermath of the September 11th terrorist attacks, Mary Fetchet and Beverly Eckert begin a grass-roots organization, later known as Voices of September 11th, to provide a clearinghouse of information and support for all those impacted.