Registering constituents and collecting demographic data was an important first step for Tuesday’s Children in conducting outreach. This developed into a consistent record-keeping system that ensured the ongoing needs of our population were being met.
In the early aftermath of September 11, Tuesday’s Children’s two-person staff conducted research and used family-focused engagement events (like recreational picnics) as first points of contact to register constituents. Registration forms were organized and categorized to build a firm base of support and assess community needs—this method ensured consistent records and helped meet ongoing needs.
Today, technology can be leveraged to collect data with online registration forms, social media platforms, blog posts with calls for action, online surveys and more.
Understanding the interplay of trauma and grief in the populations you serve is critical when developing programs to help alleviate emotional reactions and symptoms.
Click on each button below to understand each emotional state.
TRAUMA
GRIEF
Trauma
An emotional response to a terrible event like an accident, rape or natural disaster. Immediately after the event, shock and denial are typical. Longer term reactions include unpredictable emotions, flashbacks, strained relationships and even physical symptoms like headaches or nausea. While these feelings are normal, some people have difficulty moving on with their lives. (American Psychological Association)
Grief
The natural reaction to loss. Grief is both a universal and a personal experience. Individual experiences of grief vary and are influenced by the nature of the loss. Some examples of loss include the death of a loved one, the ending of an important relationship, job loss, loss through theft or the loss of independence through disability. (Mayo Clinic)
Responses to trauma and grief vary significantly based on a person’s individual prior experience to the event. Trauma doesn’t define itself by the event but it’s cumulative impact in a person’s life. We observed a wide range of reactions to 9/11, and clinicians working with families had to be very responsive not only to the acute trauma of 9/11 but also previous traumas.
In both trauma and grief we see instances of isolation and withdrawal. Tuesday’s Children has been particularly good in addressing this by creating connections for people who have had similar experiences. This has been a foundation for healing and has helped to normalize these experiences and create significant trust within our community.
In response to the proliferation of global terrorism, Tuesday’s Children created Project COMMON BOND in 2008 as an opportunity for 9/11 teens to unite with others from around the world who share similar loss. Tuesday’s Children created Project COMMON BOND as an international peacebuilding program which brings together young adults who have lost a family member to an act of terrorism, violent extremism or war.
Project COMMON BOND has united international youth impacted by terrorism to engage in dignity-focused activities, learn about peacebuilding and form lasting friendships. As shown on the map, Project COMMON BOND has built a truly global community with more than 550 participants in our summer program from 25 different countries.
TYPES OF TRAUMA AND GRIEF
Many people across the country exhibited trauma even if they did not experience it in person. Children seeing it play over and over again were triggered and retriggered. Ambiguous loss is something we have seen a great deal of since 40% of 9/11 families received no remains, which has prolonged the grieving process for many family members.
Click chart for larger view.
REACTIONS AND INTERVENTIONS
Click chart for larger view.
SIGNATURE PROGRAM: PROJECT COMMON BOND
The newest expansion of the program is a new winter session for alumni of our summer program, which began in January 2016. This session focuses more directly on building concrete skills in conflict negotiation, resolution and peacebuilding, and introducing participants to the possible career paths in those fields.
