Ten years after losing her husband, Teresa Mathai shared some of her memories and reflections with us. “Ten years ago, on September 11, 2001, when I heard my husband Joseph Mathai was at a conference at Windows on the World at the WTC and missing after the buildings collapsed, I was in shock and overwhelmed. As a mother with two young kids, I did not know how to break the news to them and how to face the uncertain future ahead. Good friends of ours, Joe and Candy Bergantino, suggested that I call The Children’s Room, which I did. Our family will never forget the kindness and loving support we received from The Children’s Room from those early days of this tragedy, and we will forever be grateful for the continued friendship we have maintained all these years!”

Here at The Children’s Room, we work every day to help support grieving families, and we know that the death of a parent or sibling remains one of society’s least understood and least supported issues. Yet we are inspired daily by stories of courage, and stories of families who turn loss into healing.

Teresa Mathai recently helped Boston families record their memories of loved ones when the 9/11 Memorial Museum visited Boston, through a series of audio recording sessions at The Children’s Room. One of those who shared his story was Franklin Ross, whose father died on 9/11.

Franklin wrote a book of poems to honor his father, and his poetry illustrates how creative expression can transform pain into meaning and beauty. His collection of poetry honors the life of his father Richard Ross, and shines as a beacon of hope for others who have experienced a profound loss. We offer a link so you can read more about the collection of poems by Franklin Ross. Franklin has generously offered to donate part of the proceeds from his book to The Children’s Room.

Two women who have become part of our circle of support at The Children’s Room are Susan Retik and Patti Quigley, who were both widowed on 9/11. Together, Susan and Patti have helped hundreds of widows through the foundation they built together, called  Beyond the 11th . The Children’s Room is grateful for the generous support we have received from the David E. Retik and Christopher D. Mello Foundation, which in turn has helped sustain our programs for grieving families in Massachusetts.

Our Director of Education and Training, Deborah Rivlin, worked with Boston-area 9/11 families for years. In a Boston Globe article this past week, Deborah reflected; “The loss is forever, you are changed forever, but you learn to integrate the loss into your life. There’s an opportunity that comes, in finding ways to make meaning of the loss.”

As a resource to our community, we offer a list of suggestions for talking to your child about the tenth anniversary, recommended by the National Alliance for Grieving Children.

We are thrilled to have this opportunity to spend an hour with these great folks talking about how to help families in crisis.  This show will be available on our website for listening a week or so afterwards.

About the Lenny Zakim Fund

The mission of The Lenny Zakim Fund is to identify, listen to, support and connect grassroots community organizations and programs operating “below the radar screen” of large charitable groups and government grants. The Lenny Zakim Fund provides assistance to those who demonstrate the will and potential to make a difference, but lack the necessary resources. As a reflection of Lenny Zakim’s personal ideals, The Fund is especially interested in supporting groups involved in constructive coalition building across race, religious and ethnic lines.

About the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute

The mission of the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute is to create and support an environment where families can live in Peace and Unity. The Goals and Objectives are three fold:
(1.) Schools: To develop programs and activities that teach and instill the values of peace and enrich the lives of young people.
(2.) Families: To assist and empower survivors of homicide victims with tools that not only rebuild their lives but also their communities; through Education, Collaboration, and Policy Advocacy.
(3.) Community: To inform and educate the public about the causes and the consequences of violence on the individual, the family and the community, while transforming the   community into an environment where young people are valued by adults and by their peers the for their peacemaking efforts.

The Children’s Room is proud to to support Lesley University.  Many of our staff and volunteers are alumni, and we are pleased that they are supporting such important work.

Our mission is to support grieving children, teens and families.  Families that have been the victims of violence need our extra attention and support.  We are honored to work with the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute and promote Survivors of Homicide Victims Awareness Month from November 20 to December 20.