In the wake of yesterday's shootings in Florida many schools have implemented police security. Parents in our local community are asking for guidance on how to answer their children's questions about the shootings and the increase in security, as well as addressing concerns about their safety. We wanted to share interviews that our friends, Dr. Robin Gurwitch and Dr. Melissa Brymer participated in, and a link to suggestions from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network to help guide your conversations with your children and teens

Join us on April 12 for VOICES 10th Annual Always Remember Gala at the New York Athletic Club in New York City. ESPN Host Mike Greenberg will be the Emcee. 23rd United States Secretary of Defense, Leon E. Panetta will receive VOICES Leadership Award and 60 Minutes Correspondent, Lara Logan will receive VOICES Building Bridges Award.

The National September 11 Memorial & Museum in partnership with Voices of September 11th invites you and a guest to 25 Years Later: The 1993 World Trade Center Bombing, Then and Now.

VOICES Founding Director Mary Fetchet was recently featured in the CNN article A Force For Change: Coping with Grief Through Activism and Advocacy. Mary shared her personal story of finding meaning in tragedy.

Voices of September 11th is conducting a brief survey to assess the needs of our membership. Your participation is highly valued and will help guide the development of our programs and support services.

We are writing to remind you that oral arguments in the lawsuit against Saudi Arabia will take place this Thursday, January 18 at 10:00am in New York City. We encourage those who are able to attend to do so, as your presence shows the courts that those of us who lost loved ones on 9/11 are still actively united in our attempt to hold accountable all those who participated in the attacks.

THANK YOU to everyone who generously donated to VOICES annual appeal this year! Your contribution helps us help others by making a difference in the lives of thousands of individuals and families we are privileged to assist. If you have not yet planned your year-end charitable giving, we hope you will consider making a donation to support our ongoing work.

Thank you to those who shared your personal reflections about honoring your loved ones during the holidays. Among the many notes we received were thoughtful tips and creative ideas for beginning new traditions while still preserving the memories of the past. We hope this is helpful, and invite you to share the information with others.

As the holiday season approaches and we gather with family and friends, we remember those who are no longer with us. Often times family traditions change after a loss, and we find new ways to celebrate the holidays and keep the memory of our loved ones alive. Personally, I have always found great joy in decorating for the Christmas season.

Thanksgiving is a special time of year when we count our many blessings - our family and friends - both near and far, as well as those who are no longer with us, whose memories we hold dear. The holiday season is a time for all of us at VOICES to say thank you to the hundreds of individuals who have contributed to our work this year.