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AAL/LB FUNDING SUPPORTS VOLUNTEER COMMUNITY CENTER
NEW YORK, NY – April 1 – Lutheran Disaster Response of New York (LDRNY) is helping support a new community center in Manhattan for an ongoing group of volunteers who spontaneously came together to provide assistance immediately following the Sept. 11 attacks.
The World Cares Center: September Space is the brainchild of NYC-Community Action Network Inc. (NYC-CAN), a group of volunteers who spontaneously and independently responded to Sept. 11. Their efforts ranged from feeding workers at Ground Zero to organizing supplies to coordinating with other agencies at the Javits Center to listening to bereaved family members.
The vision for the September Space became a reality when Newmark and Co. Real Estate donated a large space to NYC-CAN in a building in midtown Manhattan. Architectural plans are in place to convert the office space into a community center where volunteers, civil servants, first responders and survivors can come together for sharing, support and to rebuild hope. The center is located at 520 8th Ave. at 37th Street.
LDRNY is supporting the effort with funds earmarked for the project from Aid Association for Lutherans/Lutheran Brotherhood.
Mary Downs, leader of Member Engagement and Growth Development for AAL/LB, said, "We rely on volunteers to fulfill the part of our mission about Œimproving the quality of life of members, their families, and communities.'
"Supporting these volunteers who played such a key role during such a difficult time is our way of thanking them. AAL/LB, its members and employees, thank the World Cares Center for helping those who have helped others," Downs said.
Other supporters include Starbuck's, the School of Visual Arts, Leslie Fay, Timberlands, the New York Writers Workshop, the Good Dog Foundation and more. Organizations like the National Organization for Victims Assistance, New York Cares and AmeriCorps are also associated with the project.
The Center hopes to offer support and networking groups, lectures and workshops, social activities, creative workshops such as writing classes or art therapy, individual counseling, family activities, yoga, dance, massage and other healing therapies. The Good Dog Foundation is also providing therapy dogs.
"For the spontaneous volunteers not affiliated with any union or common agency, there is no one structure available to help them deal with the trauma of the events of Sept. 11," said Lisa Orloff, a volunteer and acting director of NYC-CAN.
"The mission of September Space is to provide a common ground, a place where men, women and children together can join in building a social and emotional support network. We envision the World Cares Center: September Space as a leader in providing ongoing emotionally supportive communities for first responders to any disaster, filling an important need not met by existing national and international organizations whose goals are to provide immediate short-term disaster relief."
In mid-February, NYC-CAN hosted an open house to showcase the September Space. Volunteers and supporters gathered to participate in art therapy, pet a therapy dog, leave a message of hope on a giant papered wall, spend time together and have a snack. Located on the 20th floor, the September Space offers a nice view of Manhattan's midtown area. The space is being renovated now and expects to be open soon.
If you'd like to help, contact volunteer@nyc-can.org. For more information, go to www.nyc-can.org. |
