A Nation United...Reaching Out to Help
By Lawrence Mandell, MSW, Executive Vice President, United Way of New York City
"Although the world is full of suffering, it is full also of overcoming it." -Helen Keller
(February/March 2002)
Optimism
September 11th transformed our nation. We witnessed the worst of humanity, but we also saw the very best of mankind. While the tragedies of September 11th will forever remain with us, it is heart-warming to see millions of people reaching out to those victims, families, and communities in need. And there are numerous heroes - police officers, firemen, medical personnel, social workers, and volunteers - who have shown tremendous strength and compassion through it all.
For our part, United Way of New York City and The New York Community Trust established The September 11th Fund the day of the attacks to meet the immediate and longer-term needs of victims, families, and communities affected by the disaster. Four months later, The September 11th Fund, thanks to unprecedented generosity, has collected more than $425 million in 1.7 million contributions, and made grants of more than $160 million to expert health and human service providers and relief agencies.
While the tragedies of September 11th occurred in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania, the effects spread far beyond. With victims and families in 40 states and 20 countries, The September 11th Fund moved quickly to see that immediate needs were met by experienced disaster relief agencies, making over 80 emergency grants, including cash assistance, legal counseling, grief therapy, crisis counseling, and job training and placement. A $75 million Cash Assistance Program provided additional aid to those who were injured, lost loved ones, or lost their homes or jobs as a direct result of the tragedy.
As of December 31, 2001, September 11th Fund grants had made possible:
Early on we understood, as social workers do, that victims needed to be broadly defined. Clearly families who lost loved ones were victims, but so were those economically and physically displaced. By avoiding a narrow definition of the term "victim," The September 11th Fund has been able to channel America's generosity to help thousands more.
The Long-term Effects
The $425 million raised by the Fund is an extraordinary sum, and we believe that current resources, when combined with those of other charities and of local, state and federal governments, are sufficient to accomplish the Fund's goals. As we now move from the emergency mode to the long-term phase, The September 11th Fund will focus on managing the Fund and coordinating with relief organizations to identify potential gaps and ensure that the greatest number of people is helped.
As social workers, we know that such tragic events will have long-term implications. Columbine and Oklahoma City have taught us there will be longer-term issues that need to be addressed in the months and years to come. Case management, mental health counseling, job placement, legal assistance and financial planning are some examples of the types of services The September 11th Fund will support going forward.
From the day of the attack, social workers have been on the frontline, helping those affected - traumatized rescue workers, people who were injured, families who lost loved ones, displaced workers, and people who were forced to move out of their homes. At the Family Assistance Center on Pier 94, and in neighborhoods across our city, social workers connected individuals and families with the wide array of services and support they needed.
As social workers, your role will be equally important in the longterm - for we have also witnessed how the devastation of September 11th, coupled with a weakened economy, has indirectly affected hundreds of thousands of other New Yorkers. New York City's social service agencies have seen alarming increases in health and human care needs, including 30,000 individuals (12,500 children) sleeping in city shelters and 100,000 lost jobs.
The Commitment
We are honored to be in a position to help those affected by the September 11th attacks. This is a time when everyone wants to help, and we are grateful to be in the position to do so. We are committed to rebuilding our city, and we will be here for the longterm, reaching out to all those in need, 365 days a year.