Oakton,
Va., July 1, 2005—Individuals directly
affected by the Sept. 11 terrorist attack
on the Pentagon will be able to address
their continuing recovery needs through
a new series of free workshops and support
groups offered by Northern Virginia Family
Service (NVFS).
“These
workshops and support groups are a crucial
step in helping survivors and first responders
of the Sept. 11 attack on the Pentagon to
rebuild their lives. Studies have shown
that survivors of traumatic events are often
in great need of support in the time period
from three to five years after a tragedy,”
said NVFS President and CEO Mary Agee.
The
series of workshops and support groups will
strengthen children and youth who lost a
parent or caregiver; families and caregivers
of the physically and emotionally injured;
and the emotionally injured Pentagon evacuees.
The program will also provide outreach and
group services to Pentagon first responders,
active duty military personnel, contractors
and others who were deployed to the disaster
site for rescue and recovery work.
The
initial two workshops will address issues
of money management. The first workshop,
called Personal Budget Management, is designed
for adult survivors, first responders and
evacuees of the Pentagon attack. It will
take place Saturday July 16, from 10 a.m.
to 12 p.m. at NVFS’ office in Oakton, 10455
White Granite Dr., suite 100. Highlights
of the program include learning or reviewing
how to create a budget plan, taking steps
to become and remain financially organized
and more.
The
second workshop, called Managing My Money,
is the first in the Getting Real series
for young adults (age 17 and up). This is
for children of families directly affected
by the Pentagon attack. Managing My Money
will be held Saturday Aug. 6, from 10 a.m.
to 12 p.m. at NVFS’ office in Oakton. It
will help young adults set specific financial
goals, create a budget, save money, plan
for the future and more. For more information
or to register, eligible participants should
call 703-219-3920.
NVFS
has been providing long-term support to
the victims and families affected by the
terrorist attack at the Pentagon on Sept.
11, 2001, and helping survivors and families
receive the services they need through the
Survivors’ Fund Project (SFP) since shortly
after Sept. 11. The Survivors’ Fund was
established by the Community Foundation
for the National Capital Region and is the
largest charity in the country set up exclusively
to support the long-term needs of individuals
and families affected by the terrorist attack
at the Pentagon. To date, SFP has worked
with more than 1,100 people through individual
and family case management, and is currently
serving more than 650 people.
This
new project is supported by a Sept. 11 recovery
grant from the American Red Cross Liberty
Disaster Relief Fund. This grant program
supports nonprofit organizations throughout
the United States that address a wide variety
of longer-term recovery needs related to
Sept. 11, including health, mental health
and wellness, community recovery, children
and youth needs, ensuring access to Sept.
11 services and more.
Established
in 1924, Northern Virginia Family Service
is a private, non-profit community service
resource dedicated to helping individuals
and families find new paths to self-reliance
and brighter futures. Each year, NVFS helps
more than 27,000 people find affordable
housing and health care for their children,
earn a living wage and much more. For more
information, visit www.nvfs.org.
