Contact: Keith Emmer • 212-920-9205 • press@worldcares.org
Workshop Program Based on 9/11 Research Seeks To Enhance New Yorkers’ Coping Skills for Disasters and Traumatic Events
-World Cares Center and Columbia University/New York State Psychiatric Institute Collaborate on Program Beginning April 11-
NEW YORK (April 4, 2006) – Drawing on ongoing research into the psychological effects of the 9/11 attacks in New York, World Cares Center (WCC), in collaboration with the Center for the Study of Trauma and Resilience (CSTR) at Columbia University and the New York State Psychiatric Institute, will be conducting a series of free workshops intended to teach its participants resilience-building skills and strategies for effectively coping with major future stressors.
The “CURE” (Columbia University Resilience Enhancement) program, which begins on April 11, is intended for the metro-New York community of persons affected by 9/11, and is especially created for those who would like to prepare themselves to deal with future major stressors or who are in leadership roles serving vulnerable communities. Examples are first responders, volunteers, workplace leaders, as well as any New Yorker wanting to take advantage of new knowledge and techniques in increasing personal resilience.
“The program is based on the premise that ‘power of recovery,’ can be cultivated, practiced and enhanced in preparation for future traumas or community disasters of any kind,” said Dr. Randall D. Marshall, who developed the CURE program for CSTR (www.columbiatrauma.org) based on research conducted there after the World Trade Center attack. Dr. Marshall is Director of Trauma Studies and Services at the New York State Psychiatric Institute and an Associate Professor of Clinical Psychiatry at Columbia University.
CURE is the first major program held under WCC’s “Umbrella of Support,” an initiative which provides various 9/11-recovery organizations with a variety of resources, including meeting space at one of the September Space Community Centers – where WCC serves those affected by the terrorist attacks in New York.
“Our collaboration with CSTR enhances our mission of providing the New York community with the continuing support that is indispensable to long-term recovery,” said Lisa Orloff, the founder and Executive Director of WCC. “Nearly five years later, thousands of people affected by the 9/11 attacks still struggle every day to lead healthy, productive lives. This should be no surprise given the scale of these attacks and the amount of people that were impacted through their own experience or through the loss of a friend or loved one.”
Ms. Orloff and Dr. Marshall noted that while recent world events have raised international awareness of the importance of support for mental health in helping individuals and communities recover from disasters, a lack of research into the critical aspects of mental health after traumatic experiences has left individuals, communities and nations vulnerable. Moreover, the scientific knowledge base to date has not been translated effectively into treatment practices in the community or government policy, they said.
The CURE program is offered at no cost through the generous support of a September 11 recovery grant from the American Red Cross Liberty Disaster Relief Fund (www.redcross.org/september11/help), and is open to greater New York area residents. Grassroots service providers, peer support group members, community based agencies and organizations working in the 9/11 recovery process, and all first-responders and disaster volunteers are encouraged to attend. Though the program is not itself a treatment for PTSD, depression, or other psychological conditions that resulted from 9/11, staff can assist in finding treatment for persons in need of more intensive professional help. Workshops will involve five weekly meetings of approximately two hours in length; there is a maximum of ten participants per group. The meetings will take place at September Space Lower Manhattan (SSLM) at 11 Broadway, 11th Floor – numerous other support programs are also available to participants.
Media inquiries about the CURE workshop should be directed to Keith Emmer at 212-920-9205 or press@worldcares.org. Interested potential participants are encouraged to contact Kathryn Moroney at 646-289-3098, or by emailing kmoroney@worldcares.org.
 
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World Cares Center, Inc. (“WCC”), a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, is in the vanguard of providing education and support services in disaster preparation and trauma mitigation for workers, volunteers and affected communities. Founded in New York City after the 9/11 attacks, WCC continues to help New Yorkers and residents of other cities move forward from adversity through its signature September Space community centers and PERCS training program.
To learn more about WCC, to provide support, or to collaborate with us in your area, contact us at 212-563-7570 or visit www.worldcares.org.