American Red Cross Issues Request For Applications For 9/11 Youth Recovery And Resilience

Red Cross Funding Non-profits to Address Needs of Children and Youth Directly Affected by the Terrorist Attacks

WASHINGTON, Tuesday, November 02, 2004 — The American Red Cross September 11 Recovery Program has issued a Request for Applications (RFA) to non-profit agencies that offer mental health and wellness services to children and youth directly or personally exposed to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. This RFA is the third issued as part of the American Red Cross Recovery Grants Program, a nationwide grant-making program that will provide financial support to organizations that offer longer-term recovery services to people directly affected by the events of 9/11.

“It is important that organizations be able to address the needs of this particularly vulnerable population,” says September 11 Recovery Program Executive Director Alan Goodman. “It is fitting that we are issuing this funding invitation at the beginning of what the American Red Cross has designated Youth and Young Adult Leadership Month. The Red Cross remains steadfast in its commitment to helping young people directly impacted by the disaster, by providing them with the means to heal and to build the strength and resilience needed to move ahead with their lives.”

Youth Recovery & Resilience grants will support agencies providing mental health treatment and programs that reach affected children where they live, play and learn. Special emphasis will be placed on programs and services that enhance children’s capacity to manage stress and to develop and/or maintain effective coping skills, self-reflection or inter-personal skills; help caring adults better understand the needs and support the emotional health and growth of children exposed to trauma; and feature collaborations or partnerships among community organizations, mental health service providers and specialized centers capable of diagnosing and treating young people affected by trauma.

Responses to this Request for Applications are due by 5:00 p.m. on December 3, 2004. For detailed information about the American Red Cross Recovery Grant Program, including Request for Application announcements, criteria for proposal submission, eligibility requirements and submission instructions, visit www.recoverygrants.org.

Red Cross issued two Requests for Applications in July 2004 to fund mental health and wellness services and to support community-based organizations that facilitate access to recovery services, particularly for affected individuals who have cultural, linguistic or physical barriers to accessing 9/11-specific services. The grant making services firm used by the Red Cross, Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, will review the proposals received and the Red Cross will make award determinations for these two funding areas by the end of this year.

About the American Red Cross September 11 Recovery Program

The American Red Cross September 11 Recovery Program was created in 2002 to help return individuals directly affected by the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks to a state of self-sufficiency and the activities of normal daily living.

Through its immediate disaster response and longer-term recovery efforts, including direct financial assistance, service coordination, providing access to mental health and health care, coverage of health insurance costs, and group meetings offering support and information about Red Cross and other community resources, the program has helped more than 57,000 individuals and families in 48 states and 57 countries.

As people affected by the disaster finish working one-on-one with Red Cross caseworkers in New York, SRP is now dedicating its remaining resources to ensuring that individuals with long-term needs can access quality services right where they live through programs including Red Cross Recovery Grants and the Client Service Network.

For information on SRP services and programs, call (877) 746-4987 [TDD (800) 662-1220] or visit www.redcross.org/september11/help.