As Street Sense went to press, local students and workers joined volunteers across America to repair schools and shelters, feed the hungry and assist homeless veterans in remembrance of the tragedies of September 11, 2001.
In the 11 years since thousands died in the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon, volunteering to help neighbors and strangers has become a way to mark the anniversary. In 2009, Congress designated the date as a National Day of Service and Remembrance.
Here in the District, the nonprofit HandsOn Greater DC Cares, along with over 20 other organizations, marked the day with speeches and activities honoring veterans and emergency responders at Freedom Plaza.
Attendees were invited to assemble emergency preparedness kits for homeless veterans, participate in crisis alertness demonstrations and trainings and a volunteer recruitment fair.
Mayor Vincent C. Gray remembered the tragedies in comments at the event and in a statement. He asked city residents to recall the victims and their families.
“Today, I ask District residents to pause to remember those whom we lost – including several of our own fellow residents, among them a group of DC Public Schools students and educators – in the terrorist attacks 11 years ago,” Gray said.
“Our thoughts and prayers remain with those loved ones they left behind, who feel their loss especially acutely on this anniversary.”
Gray also commemorated the heroism of the emergency workers and military personnel who responded to the attacks and those who continue to work to ensure public safety.
Although changing the atmosphere of 9/11 from tragedy to unity is no easy task, the activities planned for the National Day of Service stress kindness, and community spirit.
“We are greater together,” said Clarence J. Fluker, a spokesman for Serve DC.
“Our hope is that this event will encourage residents across the District to engage in service to and with their community as a way to honor the brave men and women who have in the past and are currently serving our great nation.”
Meanwhile in suburban Viginia, volunteers converged at a shelter, the Arlington County Winter Emergency Center, to paint, do repair work and make improvements in remembrance of 9/11.
“We’re making sure the center is appropriate and ready for our guests. You want to feel comfortable and peaceful in a home, especially in the winter,” said Patti Klein, executive director of Rebuilding Together Arlington/Fairfax/Falls Church. Volunteers came from Klein’s organization, as well as from the Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation (MSE,) and from Arlington County First Responders
Although some of the improvements such as new mirrors, clothes hooks and book shelves, might not seem dramatic, they will have an impact upon the lives of the shelter guests. So will fresh paint and a thorough cleaning. In addition, volunteers planned on assembling care packages for 100 homeless men and women.
Arlington Street People’s Assistance Network (A-SPAN,) operates the shelter and provides services such as case management, employment counseling, housing case management and placement and medical care.
DC Students from Ballou Senior High School and the Maya Angelou Public Charter School got a head start on observing the day, preparing a meal for homeless and hungry men and women.
The September 8 service dinner, hosted by Youth Service Opportunities Project (YSOP) was held at the Church of the Epiphany near Metro Center.
[Disclosure: Street Sense Media rents office space from the Church of the Epiphany]
Such events are designed to help the poor, and also to teach young people about the wider needs that exist in their communities said one organizer.
“We are striving to broaden the perspectives of all the students we work with to make an impact on their lives,” says YSOP DC Program Director Sarah DeGrandpre.
The event offered an opportunity for students to talk with homeless individuals in a relaxed and safe setting, with a goal of challenging social stereotypes and prejudice. During the last school year over 4,636 students and adults took part in YSOP programs, providing services to more than 504,700 hungry and homeless people in New York City and Washington, DC.
“YSOP has totally taken me out of my comfort zone. But being able to meet people from different schools and pull together to give back to the community brings a great feeling,” said Dreonna Richardson, a junior at Ballou Senior High School. “I’ve even learned how to cook.”
