March Highlights
March is Sleep Awareness Month. During these turbulent times there is so much to keep us up at night! Along with exercise and proper nutrition, sleep hygiene is critical to maintaining health and wellness.
Among the many workshops we are offering this month, Dr. Erin O’Brien is presenting an effective intervention for insomnia, and Dr. Elisha Goldstein is hosting a Master Class on How to Relieve Anxiety Naturally. As a reminder, VOICES programs are held virtually and all are invited to attend.
We are pleased that our Meet the Author Series begins this Monday, February 28 at 7:00pm EST, with Bonnie McEneaney McNamara, discussing her book Messages: Signs, Visits, and Premonitions from Loved Ones Lost on 9/11.
Of note, we are highlighting an interview recently conducted with Governor Tom Kean, Chairman of the 9/11 Commission, along with a panel discussion he participated in during our September Symposium.
As the eyes of the world are focused on Ukraine, our heartfelt concerns are about the safety of its people. We recognize this is a stressful time – especially for those who may have family and friends in the region. Contact our office at 203-966-3911, if we can be of assistance.
Join us on Friday, March 11 at 12:00pm EST as Dr. Elisha Goldstein conducts a Master Class on "How to Relieve Anxiety Naturally." Dr. Goldstein is the author of "Uncovering Happiness: Overcoming Depression with Mindfulness and Self-Compassion."
During the presentation, Dr. Goldstein will introduce skillful ways to break out of negative, anxiety-inducing modes of thinking, and reclaim control over your mind and life. Come uncover the freedom and inner peace that you deserve as you learn:
- Three common mind traps that keep us stuck
- The most immediate and impactful way to dial down the anxious mind
- A three-step process to help you interrupt the anxious loop and give you more personal control of your mind and your life
Join VOICES for our new Mindful Moment Meditation series, held the first Friday of every month. Together we will pause from the busy nature of our days to breathe, reconnect, and begin again – feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.
Yoga Alliance Teacher, Wendy Boscia, will facilitate this recurring event on the first Friday of each month from 10:30am to 10:45am. The theme for March is, "Meeting the Breath and Settling the Mind".
Participation is free and registration is required.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy & Insomnia
Presented by: Dr. Erin O’Brien
Wednesday, March 23 - 7:00pm EST
Join us on Wednesday, March 23 at 7:00pm EST as we recognize Sleep Awareness Month with a workshop on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia. Sleep disturbance is common among those living with trauma, grief and medical conditions, and especially prevalent during these tumultuous times. Quality sleep is essential to wellness, and insomnia may lead to increased distress and exacerbate co-existing conditions, such as depression, anxiety, PTSD or alcohol dependence.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia is considered a first-line intervention by the National Institute of Health with recent research supporting its effectiveness. Dr. Erin O’Brien, a licensed psychologist and certified CBT-I practitioner, will lead a one-hour introductory workshop, which will provide an overview of CBT, help participants assess their level of sleep disturbance, and include a “take away” tool for use at home.
Dr. O'Brien has a specialty in Behavioral Sleep Medicine, and is one of only a handful of clinicians in the United States who has obtained Certification in Behavioral Sleep Medicine (CBSM).
Join us on Wednesday, March 30 at 12:00pm EST for the third in a monthly series on Building Personal and Community Resilience. In this workshop, participants will learn about the importance of developing resilient relationships, strengthening connections and setting healthy boundaries.
This series was facilitated by Katherine Manners and Carolina Bautista-Velez, OVC consultants, two of the foremost authorities with decades of experience in trauma-informed practices to promote resilience.
Following the video replay, participants will engage in a live discussion facilitated by VOICES staff.
Bereavement Groups for Those Who Have Lost a Loved One in the Past 3 Years
Groups will be held on the following Thursdays:
March 3, March 17, March 31, and April 7
12:00pm - 1:30pm EST
VOICES is continuing a series of bereavement support groups for individuals who have lost a loved one in the past 3 years. The groups are facilitated by VOICES clinical staff, and are held bi-monthly.
Bereavement groups allow members to share their struggles with others who have experienced a similar loss. The support of group members, and knowing you are not alone with your thoughts and feelings, can provide hope, healing and a path forward.
Participation is free and registration is required. Space is limited.
Peer Support Groups for the 9/11 Community
VOICES is hosting a series of Peer Support Groups to provide a safe place for 9/11 community members to connect with one another, discuss your shared experience and acquire skills to build resilience.
Groups are led by VOICES clinical staff and co-facilitated by peers to ensure the conversation is supportive and helpful to all. Meetings are scheduled bi-monthly, and participants are invited to attend one or all of the sessions. Participation is free and registration is required. All sessions are from 12:00pm to 1:30pm EST.
Governor Tom Kean looks back 20 years after the attacks of 9/11
On February 7, 2022, Former New Jersey Governor and 9/11 Commission Chair, Tom Kean, gave a wide-ranging video interview with NorthJersey.com and USA TODAY. In the follow up article, written by award-winning columnist Mike Kelly, Governor Kean calls for the massive declassification and release of investigative files that will likely lend energy to the growing demand for America's intelligence-gathereverning agencies to come clean on what they know about the so-called “Saudi connection.”
Brett Eagleson, an advocate in the families' lawsuit, Terry Strada, whose husband perished in the 9/11 attack, and James Kreindler, one of the squad of U.S. attorneys who represent the 9/11 relatives, are also quoted.
Noteworthy: During VOICES 20th Anniversary Symposium last September, Tom Kean participated in the much anticipated panel discussion moderated by columnist Mike Kelly. Joining Governor Kean was 9/11 Commissioner Richard Ben-Veniste and Senator Susan Collins of Maine, and, Senator Joseph I. Lieberman of Connecticut.
Update from the NYC Office of Chief Medical Examiner
This month we held a briefing with the NYC Office of Chief Medical Examiner, who provided an update for 9/11 families on the identification of remains. The meeting provided an opportunity to thank Dr. Barbara Sampson for her years of service, and to introduce her successor Dr. Jason Graham as he assumes his position as Chief Medical Examiner.
If you are a family member, and are interested in viewing the presentation, please contact Stephanie Landau at slandau@voicescenter.org.
Newsworthy
Recent articles of relevance to the 9/11 community:
Tom Kean calls on Biden to release all secret files on possible Saudi links to the 9/11 attacks
9/11: The Day Gander Opened Its Doors To Complete Strangers
9-11 Memorial Defines the “Clovis Way of Life”
The 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund lessened wait times and gave out $1.4 billion last year