Since 2001, VOICES has helped families heal after tragedy – a vital mission that began after 9/11. Today, the organization continues to address the long-term needs of the 9/11 community – commemorating the 2,977 lives lost, stories of survivors, and sharing our expertise to help communities prepare for and recover from acts of mass violence, domestic and global terrorism, and natural disasters.
For over two decades, we have been providing long-term support for thousands of victims’ families, responders and survivors, and families of those who have died of 9/11-related illnesses – with many contacting us for the first time.
Our professional staff provides a wide range of support services and assists those impacted in accessing resources and mental health care to promote healing and resilience. VOICES support programs include individual assessments, consultation & referrals, support groups, psychoeducational webinars, and conferences, including VOICES Annual Symposium held every September in New York City, and also broadcast online.
A Global Tragedy with Lasting Effects
On September 11, 2001, the most devasting terrorist attack in the history of the United States occurred on our soil, killing 2,753 people at the World Trade Center; 184 at the Pentagon; and 40 passengers and crew members who were aboard Flight 93, which crashed in Shanksville, PA.
The 2,977 victims came from more than 90 countries, and ranged in ages from 2 years old to 85 years old. Today, VOICES continues our efforts to honor the victims and provide critical support services to their families.
The needs of families change over time, and our long-term support services continue to evolve to meet those needs. Today, VOICES includes individual consultation & referrals, discussion and support groups, and webinars & workshops. 9/11 families continue to actively participate in our Annual NYC Symposium. Learn More.
VOICES Support Programs – VOICES continually offers a wide range of relevant and topical programs to promote healing and resilience, including individual consultation & referrals, support groups, discussion groups, webinars & workshops, and peer-to-peer support. Learn more
Annual NYC Symposium – Held on September 10th, the Symposium is an opportunity for the 9/11 Community to gather for an informative program in advance of the anniversary. Subject matter experts provide updates on the myriad of issues that continue to impact victims’ families, responders, and survivors. Presentations also inform professionals and organizations providing long-term victim services. Learn more
Advocacy – Since its founding, VOICES has been a forceful advocate for victims' families, survivors, and responders and a proponent for public policy reforms, with a primary focus on victims’ rights, mental health care, memorialization, national security and preparedness. Learn more
VOICES Coronavirus Response Program – In 2020, this program was launched to provide information and support for our families and communities in the aftermath of the pandemic outbreak. VOICES developed programs based on our lessons learned to promote healing and build resilience during this unpredictable time. Learn more
The September 11th terrorist attacks had a global impact, prompting local, national and international commemorations to express collective grief and healing. Annual commemorative events, memorials, and personal tributes honor the lives lost, and recognize the bravery and sacrifice of so many. Commemoration reinforces a sense of unity and support for victims’ families, responders, survivors, along with the community-at-large.
Commemoration ensures that those who lost their lives are not forgotten. Public memorials, moments of silence, and annual ceremonies serve as acts of remembrance, affirming the value of each life and recognizing the deep impact of their loss. For families and loved ones, these acts offer solace by showing that their grief is shared and that their loved ones' legacies endure. Learn More.
9/11 Living Memorial Victim Remembrances – Commemorates lives lost on 9/11 and provides visitors with the opportunity to learn about those who died. Learn more
9/11 Memorial & Museum – Honoring the nearly 3,000 people killed in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 and February 26, 1993. Learn more
Pentagon Memorial – A place of solace and healing for future generations to renew their faith in and commitment to the values that citizens of a free world. Learn more
Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville, PA – A tribute to the 40 passengers aboard Flight 93 that thwarted the attacks on the U.S. Capitol on 9/11. Learn more
Notification of Remains and Personal Effects
The human remains of nearly 40% of the victims killed at the World Trade Center site have not yet been identified due to the brutal nature of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. In the aftermath of the tragedy, VOICES began our work with Dr. Charles Hirsch, the New York Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) to standardize the remains notification process so the victims’ families could determine if, when, and how they wanted to be notified if their loved one’s remains were identified.
VOICES’ longstanding partnership with the OCME, beginning with Dr. Charles Hirsch and Dr. Barbara Sampson, and continuing with Dr. Jason Graham who has upheld the commitment to the 9/11 families “to identify every possible of the attack, no matter how long it took”. Under Dr. Graham’s leadership the OCME has established ongoing advancement in DNA technology with the hopes of yielding additional identifications. Learn More.
OCME Repository and Reflection Room at the World Trade Center - The OCME has jurisdiction over a repository, which contains the unidentified and unclaimed remains of 9/11 victims killed at the World Trade Center. A private space exclusively for victims’ family members, known as the Reflection Room, is located next to the repository at the bedrock level of the World Trade Center site. Victims’ family members can arrange their visit to the Reflection Room by contacting the OCME at (212) 447-7884. Learn more
9/11 Litigation
Since its founding, VOICES has been a forceful advocate for victims' families, survivors, and responders and a proponent for public policy reforms, with a primary focus on victims’ rights, mental health care, memorialization, national security and preparedness. VOICES has joined with other members of the 9/11 Community to champion a range of public policy reforms and efforts to honor the 9/11 victims and to hold accountable those who were responsible for the attacks on 9/11.
Saudi Suit – Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act(JASTA) This litigation seeks to hold those responsible for 9/11 to account. The passage of the law removed the sovereign immunity of the nations who support terror attacks on US soil. JASTA amends the Anti- Terrorism Statute to permit claims against foreign nations. Learn more
JASTA Update – On the eve of the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, September 10, 2020, a federal Judge directed the Saudi Arabian government to make as many as 24 current and former officials available for depositions about their possible knowledge of events leading up to the airplane attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, which killed almost 3,000 Americans Learn more
Guantanamo Trial – United States v Khalid Shaikh Mohammad et al (i.e.9/11 trial) The updates on the Military Commission and summary of ongoing efforts and current progress of the trials taking place. Learn more
USVSSTF (United States Victims of State Sponsors of Terrorism Fund) – The Justice for United States Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Act (the “Act”), later amended by the Clarification Act, provides for the establishment and administration of the United States Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund (“USVSST Fund”) to provide compensation to certain U.S. persons who were injured in acts of international state-sponsored terrorism. Learn more
Find answers that address various programs, visitation and financial questions. Learn More.
Family Resources Important 9/11 community information including links to state and federal resources, memorials, support organizations, foundations, and health-related websites. Click to Expand.