Nonprofit Provides Support To Children Of 9/11

Andrea Russin lost her husband, Steve, on September 11, 2001. Her youngest son was two years old at the time, and it was just three days before she gave birth to twin girls. For the past nine years, she has had to raise Alec, Ariella and Olivia alone. But she has always been able to count on a group called Tuesday’s Children. She says the support has been essential.

“Tuesday's Children is an organization that helps children know there is someone out there for them,” says Russin.

Andrea was one of the 110 women who were expectant mothers on or around September 11th who lost a spouse in the attacks. Tuesday's Children, a nonprofit, offers mentoring, counseling, and support to families with children who lost a parent that tragic day.

James Giaccone, a volunteer with Tuesday's Children, currently mentors 11 and 9-year-old brothers who lost their dad. He says the experience helps him deal with the loss of his own brother, who also perished that day.

"I felt helpless, because I couldn’t do anything. I felt the need to do something. And I found the more I give, the better I feel. It’s kind of a win-win situation," says Giaccone.

The group also organizes Project Common Bond, a summer camp that brings together over 70 kids from all over the world who have been impacted by acts of terrorism.

Terry Sears, the Executive Director of Tuesday’s Children, says interaction with others who have gone through a similar trauma helps the children with their healing process.

“The kids continue to communicate with each other. They continue to understand that this is something none of them asked for but that it is something they will have to live with for the rest of their lives," says Sears.

Like many other charities, Tuesday’s Children has had to make due through the recession. However, this year the group received a $750,000 federal grant. The group will use the funds to hire a social worker and start the First Responder Alliance, which will offer support to those who lent their services on September 11th.