By Alma J. Carten, DSW
(October 2001)
The attack on the World Trade Center, our city and the fundamental ideals of our profession is a horror beyond belief and comprehension. Thus far, we have not heard news of social workers who have been seriously hurt, killed or unaccounted for, but express out deepest sorrow for members who may have lost members of your community of neighbors, co-workers friends and extended family.
As Chapter President, I am deeply concerned for the well being of our membership. First, that members who have been directly impacted receive the help and support they need to get through the difficult times they and their loved ones are facing. Second, that social workers who are providing disaster services to front line rescue workers, survivors, family members and others in ground zero or other areas closest to the attack, have access to critical incident and debriefing services they need to safeguard their own personal well being and mental health. Third, that the thousands of social workers who want to help by volunteering their time and services are provided the means for doing so. I will be working diligently with the leadership over the next weeks and months to ensure that this happen, and hope that members will not be reluctant to reach out to the Chapter for the help they may need.
It is not possible to make sense out of this tragedy. If there is anything redemptive in these events that began on September 11th, for me it is that the magnitude of these events has been matched by the outpouring of caring responses from social workers across the city, the nation and the globe. Calls began to flood the Chapter offices soon after the attack and have continued to come in. The Chapter leadership moved swiftly to begin planning a social work response. This special edition of Currents provides important information about the Chapter's first level response and plans for moving forward in the immediate aftermath of the crisis.
By now, some of us have reached the stage of yearning for a return to normalcy, if for no other reason than the human psyche is not designed to tolerate prolonged states of crisis. Some of us may be in a place of mourning the loss of the way things were, because of the realization that we can never return to a state of normalcy we once knew. The World Trade Center events will leave an indelible mark on the lives of each one of us and will shape the direction and future of our City and profession in profound ways.
Where we are in processing these events may differ, but most of us want to restore feelings of security and certainty. The days ahead will hold many unknowns but, there are some things we can count on. Our City is distinguished for its diversity, and we will stand together united in our resolve to send a message of solidarity to those who would divide us. Our profession has always shone the brightest during times of greatest adversity, and social workers throughout this city are demonstrating through acts of service, courage, and self sacrifice that we will continue to hold to that tradition. Stay the course....
New Yorkers are known for our toughness, and determination and will stay the course.