To all in our Tuesday's Children community,
As another year draws to a close, we pause to reflect on 2021. Not only was it the year we began to return to a sense of normalcy, slowly emerging from a global pandemic, but it was the year that marked two decades since the horrific events of Tuesday, September 11th, 2001.
We know it's been an especially difficult year for many of our families, and want to remind you that Tuesday's Children is here for you and your families today, and every day. We are proud to have been a shoulder to lean on for two decades and will continue to be here for years to come.
While a lot of 2021 was about looking back, it was also a chance to look forward to the future of Tuesday's Children. We may not be able to predict everything about 2022 – as we've all learned in recent times how quickly plans can change – but we do know a few things for certain. Tuesday's Children will always #KeepThePromise to our 9/11 families and continue applying the valuable lessons we've learned and the proven programs we've established to support Military Families of the Fallen and those impacted by mass violence.
Whether you've attended a virtual career workshop, joined us at a sporting event or simply followed along with our content on social media, we're honored to have you as part of our community and look forward to serving you in the new year – a year filled with hope and opportunity. Don't forget to keep an eye on our website calendar for information on how you can stay – or get – involved!
Thank you for allowing us to be there for you and your family throughout your healing journey.
With much gratitude,
Terry
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Tuesday's Children: Building on 20 Years of Service |
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20 Years of Healing Together |
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While every September can be a difficult one for those impacted by 9/11, the 20th anniversary proved to be an especially intense reminder for many. Magazine articles, nightly news broadcasts and a slew of television specials kept the memory of this fateful day fresh in everyone's minds in the weeks and months leading up to it. Albeit an important reminder that all of us will #NeverForget, it was quickly evident that a break from the heaviness was needed.
From football and baseball games to wrestlings matches, awards shows and more, our Tuesday's Children families had a vast array of chances to create positive, happy memories during an otherwise difficult time. These opportunities included unfurling the American flag on the field of MetLife Stadium during the New York Giants home opener, being honored by the New York Mets during a special pregame ceremony on Saturday, September 11th, ringing the opening bell at NASDAQ and attending Friday Night SmackDown with loved ones. It was heartwarming to see our generous supporters roll out the red carpet for those we serve. (Speaking of which, the red carpet was literally rolled out for those invited to attend the 2021 MTV VMAs at Barclay's Center!)
Thank you to all those, including but not limited to the following, who brought some light into the darkness: National Football League, CNN, MTV, NASCAR, PGA Superstore, WWE and various teams across the country including the Detroit Lions, Los Angeles Rams, New England Patriots, New York Giants, Washington Football Team, New England Revolution and New York Mets.
We look forward to our continued collaborations in 2022 and beyond.
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Mentoring Match Spotlight: Bronson and Brian |
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Bronson, a Gold Star child, is a rising third grader who lives with his mom and brother in Virginia. Unlike some children during their match meeting, Bronson was full of energy and opened up quickly to his new mentor, Brian. The initial excitement only grew as the pair soon discovered they have a lot in common.
Bronson was thrilled to brag about the new bike he just got and how he prefers trail to city riding. Brian, a recently retired married father of three who lives outside Philadelphia, feels the same and is active on the board of Rails for Trails, which converts nonworking railroad tracks into bike trails. Bronson was impressed that they not only shared this passion for the outdoors, but that Brian averages 200 miles per week on his bike.
"Bronson and Brian connect via Messenger Chat often. They use video and voice chat. Thank you for gifting Bronson this amazing opportunity."
-Bronson's Mom
Brian, whose other hobbies include coaching basketball and volleyball, arrived at the match meeting with plenty of ways to bond with his new friend, including LEGO building projects and Minecraft. Bronson was hooked immediately and suggested they start chatting over the Facebook Messenger Kids App – he couldn't wait to have fun!
While Bronson and Brian connect constantly in a virtual format, they plan to meet in person every four to five weeks. Three hours may seem like a lot to some, but to these two it's just another opportunity for a new adventure.
Are you a Gold Star family member in need of a positive adult role model for your child? CLICK HERE to learn more.
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Looking for Career Resources? |
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Is anyone in your family looking for a summer internship or employment opportunity? Tuesday’s Children's Career Resource Center can help your family members navigate the ever-changing landscape of dynamic careers. From resume-writing workshops to college and career guidance, career shadow days and Career Mentors, we can give you the runway you need to achieve your career goals.
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Junior Board Member Spotlight: Ryann |
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"Having lost my dad on September 11th 2001, said Ryann, an active member of the Tuesday's Children Junior Board, "I know what it feels like to need the extra love and support from friends, family and even strangers." Whether through 5Ks, fundraising events or simply showing up to meetings and sharing ideas and opinions, Ryann has done her part to ensure that those dealing with trauma have a reliable system of support.
This trusting community is something our Junior Board provides for Ryann, as it's a platform to not just raise money, but to do so in creative ways. For example, while we would've been thrilled to have Ryann as a lone registrant for this past May's Rise Up and Remember: Memorial Day 5K, she took it a step – or several – further. She spearheaded the Team Cogs initiative and, with the help of friends and family, raised nearly $2,300 in support of Tuesday's Children.
This ambitious attitude only grew stronger throughout the rest of 2021, with Ryann's next focus being on September's Remember Resilience Gala. This benefit in honor of all those lost on 9/11, and the event Ryann cites as being her favorite thing she's done with Tuesday's Children, raised tens of thousands of dollars.
While she waits for the 2022 Tuesday's Children Junior Board events season to come around, Ryann has plenty of ways to give back in her everyday life. A Special Education teacher who works in Harlem, NY, she enjoys connecting with her eighth grade students and preparing them for the next chapter in their lives.
We're not sure what the next chapter will be in Ryann's life, but we truly hope Tuesday's Children gets to be part of it. It's an honor to have such passionate, dedicated individuals in our corner as we head into a new year of service and support.
Are you interested in joining our Junior Board? CLICK HERE to learn more.
Young professionals – including family members in the Tuesday's Children community and even their friends who aren't enrolled with us – are eligible.
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Tuesday's Children's 20 Years of Service Gala |
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We were delighted that so many people came out to join us at Citi Field for Tuesday's Children's 20 Years of Service Gala, where we honored the New York Mets Organization and New York Mets Alumni Edgardo Alfonzo, John Franco, Al Leiter, Bobby Valentine, and Todd Zeile and General Stanley McChrystal, USA, Retired.
Thanks to our generous sponsors and supporters, we were able to raise over $495,000!
We're especially grateful to YOU, our Tuesday's Children families, for sharing your stories of resilience. It has been an honor to grow with you over the past two decades.
It was also our pleasure to present the Lifetime Supporter Award to Jay Horwitz, a longtime Tuesday's Children supporter and liaison to New York Mets alumni.
A special thank you goes out to Dietrick Haddon, who provided the evening's live entertainment, and to our emcee, Brooke Baldwin.
Tune in to the memorable moments!
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Team Tuesday's Children: Endurance Spotlights
Whether it's through the streets of New York City in a winter chill, across the pond with a fall breeze or a simple stroll through your hometown, there are plenty of ways to get active in support of Tuesday's Children. Thank you to those who made their miles matter, providing a lifetime of healing with every step.
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2021 Team TC Marathon Spotlight: Jes |
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On Tuesday, September 11th, 2001, Jes and her three sisters lost their father, who worked in the north tower of the World Trade Center. It was this tragic event that inspired Jes to adopt a "say yes" mentality and seize every opportunity that comes her way, knowing all too well that life is short. We're so glad she said yes to joining the Tuesday's Children Junior Board, as she's provided so much hope and healing to not just other families, but herself. One way she accomplishes this is through endurance fundraising.
Running is like therapy to Jes. It's something that has shown her she can achieve anything she puts her mind to. Therefore, it made perfect sense to combine this cathartic outlet with Tuesday's Children.
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Jes has run for Team TC in the United Airlines New York City Half Marathon, Virgin Money London Marathon and TCS New York City Marathon and is even contemplating joining us in Berlin next year. Her favorite part about it is the incredibly supportive community and ability to do good while honoring her father's memory.
Jes notes that her Dad wasn't a shy man and if he was still here, he'd be on the sidelines at every race shouting "that's my Jessica out there!" to anyone who would listen. Although the training can be grueling, knowing how proud he would be – and how each step supports Tuesday's Children – makes it all worthwhile.
We're so grateful to Jes for her ongoing support of our work and look forward to following her in every city, state and country she journeys to. She's proof that every mile, every moment and every marathon truly makes a difference.
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Are you interested in running for Team TC?
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Rise Up and Remember: 9/11 5K Spotlight: Team TCS |
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TCS North America, a global leader in IT services, digital and business solutions, embodies the tagline "Building on Belief." While this motto rings true in their everyday work, as TCS is known for going above and beyond to help clients make a meaningful difference, it applies to charitable efforts as well.
The company, led by Chairman Sury Kant, is passionate about giving back to nonprofit organizations and was inspired by Tuesday's Children's message of resilience and long-term healing. While we're a nonprofit and they're a tech company, at the end of the day we share a common goal: make the world a better place.
TCS was the flagship sponsor for September's Rise Up and Remember: 9/11 5K, a generous effort in its own right. However, sticking to their core values and truly embodying the "above and beyond" mentality, they went as far as to form Team TCS. Whether strolling through the streets, sauntering on the sidewalk or running in the rain, they came out in droves to support Tuesday's Children.
The effort was such a success that Team TCS returned in October – this time gathering in Atlantic City, NJ – for another 3.1 miles on behalf of our work. In total, 120 TCSers participated, and all of us at Tuesday's Children are grateful to every single one of them.
TCS is a valued supporter of Tuesday's Children and, in addition to the 5K, has joined forces with us on virtual career programs and Stars of Hope Give Back projects. As we head into 2022, we look forward to continuing this valuable relationship and changing lives – one step, sprint and sole to the ground at a time.
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San Antonio Chamber of Commerce Welcomes Tuesday's Children |
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We continue to expand our services in the San Antonio area to be a growing resource for Military Families of the Fallen. Director of Gold Star Family Programs Liz Zirkle and Southwest Regional Program Manager Patty Morgan were on hand for a special ribbon cutting at the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce this December marking our promise to families in the area. |
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AUSA 2021 Annual Meeting & Exposition |
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Tuesday's Children was honored to attend the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) 2021 Annual Meeting & Exposition this past October in Washington, D.C. The three-day initiative, known for being the Army's largest land power exposition and professional development forum in North America, was a chance for us to cultivate connections, attend panels, and continue learning about how we can further support Military Families of the Fallen.
We were honored to meet Mrs. Alexandra Grinston, spouse of SMA Michael Grinston, Sergeant Major of the Army.
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New Partnerships in Community Resilience
We are pleased to share new developments in our community resilience work, sharing lessons learned and providing customized guidance in response to wide-scale trauma and loss due to terrorism, targeted violence, military conflict and the ongoing pandemic.
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Partnership with DHS CP3
We are proud to be a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) FY2021 Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention Program Grantee.
Managed by the newly formed DHS Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships (CP3), this grant will support Project COMMON BOND, the Survivors of Tragedy Outreach Program (STOP), our annual Lessons in Recovery and Resilience Forum and community resilience work sharing our Long-Term Healing Model in the wake of terrorism, mass violence and military conflict. We were previously funded by DHS from 2016-2019 and have provided customized guidance and support to over a dozen U.S. communities and 34 countries.
For more information, click here to view our official press release.
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Pandemic Response
At least 1 in 5 of the families Tuesday's Children serves have lost loved ones due to the pandemic.
Tuesday's Children is launching a COVID-19 Response Project in partnership with the New York Life Foundation that will build the capacity of local communities to provide long-term healing support in response to wide-scale childhood bereavement needs due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This project is made possible by a recently awarded three-year grant from the New York Life Foundation.
Tuesday's Children recently submitted a joint letter with MENTOR to the Biden/Harris administration co-signed by over 25 youth-serving nonprofit organizations emphasizing the great need to support children who have lost a parent or caregiver through evidence-based programs like trauma-informed long-term youth mentoring.
We are proud to be joining other organizations, such as those represented in the COVID Collaborative, in meaningful conversations about how our nation can best support children and families through traumatic loss and bereavement.
Stay tuned for details on these and other new ways we are supporting our community in the coming year.
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New York Life Foundation's recently released State of Grief report highlights growing needs for childhood bereavement support.
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The COVID Collaborative's Hidden Pain report shows that 167,000+ U.S. children have lost a parent or caregiver to COVID-19.
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Opportunity for 9/11 FDNY, NYPD and PAPD Families |
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Sydney Appelbaum, a doctoral student in Clinical Psychology at Adler University, is seeking participants to share their stories for her dissertation study on the impact of September 11th.
If you lost a First Responder parent on Tuesday, September 11th, 2001 and are willing to share your experience, please CLICK HERE to learn more and confirm eligibility.
We are sharing this opportunity for families of FDNY, NYPD or PAPD members who died on 9/11 to participate in a research study as a courtesy. Tuesday's Children is not affiliated with this study.
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Join Our Exclusive Facebook Group for 9/11 Families
Tuesday's Children invites our 9/11 family members to join an exclusive Facebook group. This is a judgement-free place to express creativity and support each other through talents, ideas, thoughts and discussions. Find new friends, connect with old ones and build lifelong bonds!
Be sure to spread the word and invite other families from the 9/11 community to join us on Facebook and help us create a welcoming environment for all.
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Keep Warm in the Winter with Tuesday's Children Swag
What does it mean when the days get shorter and nights get chillier? It's time to tuck away the tank tops and lounge out in layers. Whether it's a long sleeve shirt, soft hoodie or a hat, our online store has everything you need for the winter weather.
As always, shipping is free and all items are discounted by 20% in honor of our 20 Years of Service.
The Tuesday's Children online store is proudly powered by Still Serving Promos, LLC. They are a disabled veteran-owned company staffed entirely by veterans and military family members. To learn more about Still Serving Promos, and the vast array of products and services offered, please CLICK HERE.
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Be sure to pick up our newest item, the 100% cotton Rise Up and Remember long sleeve t-shirt (also available in white)! |
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Recent Programs and Family Engagement Events |
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This September to October, we held a series of four workshops, the Be-Lov-Ed Mental Health and Wellness Series, in which participants explored their personal love story by tapping into their creativity through journaling and movement within a trusting and fun community.
Also in October, we held a Preparing for College Admissions and Your Financial Future Career Workshop. Tuesday’s Children families joined us for this interactive virtual career workshop to discuss college applications, essay writing and scholarship opportunities.
In Money 101: Five Steps to Figuring Out Your Finances, held in November, our families logged on during the lunch hour for a financial workshop hosted by The Newman Group. Together, we took steps toward figuring out our finances and building a better future.
This December, we held Why Everyone Needs an Estate Plan, graciously hosted by The Newman Group, where families learned about estate planning. We learned: What documents you need; How to title accounts; The benefits of gifting; Where Washington, D.C. is on potential changes to estate planning.
In the December session of Connections in Resilience, we convened service providers from Afghanistan, Lebanon, Uganda and the US to collaborate on challenges in working directly with victims of terrorism, military conflict and mass violence. In monthly sessions of the newly formed Survivors of Tragedy Outreach Program (STOP), we are coordinating response efforts with representative of multiple U.S. communities impacted by terrorism, mass violence and military conflict.
Family engagement events during the fall have included families hosted at NY Islanders and NY Rangers games, and an opportunity to attend the Robin Hood Foundation Gala in October and take part in a tribute video thanking Sir Paul McCartney for his philanthropy after 9/11, which funded Robin Hood’s grants programs in support of our services.
Tuesday’s Children’s 9/11 family members and bereaved 9/11 responder family members are also taking part in a 20th Anniversary Photography Project, sharing their stories of grief and artifacts associated with their loved ones with acclaimed photographer Richard Wiesel. Their stories and images will be featured in a book and exhibition.
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Coming in 2022
- January 4 – 6 – Project COMMON BOND Virtual Winter Session 2022
- January - National Mentoring Month
- LinkedIn Profile and Resume Review Workshop
- Young Adult Group Sessions
- Youth Mentoring Continuing-Ed Series
- Creative Insight Experience
- Lessons in Recovery & Resilience Speaker Series & Forum
- Slice of Advice Virtual Career Workshops
- Local Family Engagement Events
- Navigating the College Process Workshop
- BE-Lov-ED series of 4 workshops
- Getting Your Foot In the Door! Career Workshop
- Take Our Children to Work Day 2022
- And more!
Note: we continue to explore virtual, hybrid and in-person options for all programs in 2022
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Please support our work.
Help us continue to build resilience and promote healing in all those impacted by terrorism, military conflict or mass violence.
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About Tuesday's Children
Tuesday's Children provides a lifetime of healing for families who have been forever changed by terrorism, military conflict or mass violence. Through a time-tested, long-term approach, Tuesday’s Children programming serves and supports our nation’s military Families of the Fallen; builds resilience and common bonds in communities worldwide recovering from tragedies; and keeps the promise to support all those impacted by Tuesday, September 11th.
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