VOICES staff hosted workshops in the tri-state area including some new communities. On November 30th, VOICES conducted its first Living Memorial workshop held at the Rockville Centre Public Library. Staff members from both the CT and NJ offices, as well as family member volunteers, participated in the workshops. A family member from the Rockville Centre community helped to organize the workshop for eighteen family members and friends in the area.

Sheri joins us as the Program Director at VOICES' NJ office. In addition to her party planning skills, she is a licensed social worker. Although Sheri has only been with us a few weeks, she has already participated in Living Memorial workshops on Long Island and in NJ. Sheri will manage the NJ office and will provide direct services to families, survivors and first responders through support groups, Living Memorial workshops, case management and community outreach.

We are planning our Spring schedule for Living Memorial workshops in the New York metropolitan area, Boston and Washington, D.C. Of course, you can always send us your photos via email or regular mail. For more information on the Living Memorial project appointments, you can call Michelle in our New Canaan office at 203-966-3911 or Sheri in our New Brunswick office at 732-543-2300.

Our staff videographer Jean Garten, volunteered her time to prepare a short video to highlight some of VOICES activities. Our 2010 recap includes our Benefit with Tony Blair and Peter Yarrow, the September 10th Forum in NYC, the Best Practices conference at Rutgers University, a number of 9/11 Exhibits, and dozens of Living Memorial workshops in communities around the country. Thanks to the dedication and commitment of our staff, interns and volunteers we made significant accomplishments in 2010. Our thanks to Jean for putting the video together!