9/11 Day of Service & Remembrance Facilitator Toolkit

9/11 Day of Service & Remembrance Facilitator Toolkit How to Facilitate Difficult Conversations and Empower Kids and Teens to Give Back in Response to the Events of September 11, 2001. Table of Contents

Introduction 01

How to use this Toolkit 02

Facilitator Tools & Resources 03

Timeline of Events 04

Stories of Heroes from 9/11 05

The Immediate Aftermath & World Support 06

Tips for Having an Effective Discussion 07

Answering Difficult Questions 08

Discussion Guides & Activities for Youth 09

Guided Discussion Activities 10

Heroes & Helpers Brainstorming Activity 11

Reflection Activities 12

Appendix 13

About generationOn

Celebrating the energy, talent and compassion of kids, teens and families everywhere – and turning them on to volunteer community service – is what generationOn’s all about! A division of the Points of Light Institute, generationOn believes meaningful volunteering is the best way to help our world and ourselves be kinder, happier and healthier.

If you would like to make a difference in this world, read on. And congratulations for taking such a caring step. “I want to spend 9/11 giving back to my community because we all need to be reminded there is still good in the world...

Remembering this day is important because it brought the whole nation together.”

Olivia Russo-Hood 2016 generationOn Youth Advisory Council member 9/11 Day of Service & Remembrance Facilitator Toolkit | Introduction

Introduction

Each year people in the United States and around the world commemorate the tragic events of September 11, 2001. But with a quarter of the U.S. population under the age of 18, many of today’s youth weren’t alive to experience this day. Use this guide to help youth learn about 9/11 in an appropriate manner and identify ways in which they can help make the world a better place.

Who should use this guide? This toolkit is for educators, youth development professionals, parents and teen leaders to use, as appropriate, to discuss, act, and reflect on 9/11 as a National Day of Service.

What do we want to accomplish on 9/11 Day of Service?

•• Provide a constructive way for youth to learn more about and give back in remembrance and observance of 9/11.

•• Encourage understanding and peace.

•• Emphasize the positive things that happened in the wake of the tragedy, like the outpouring of love for the survivors and victims’ families.

•• Recognize the helpers who joined in to help in the aftermath of the tragedy, including ordinary citizens, service men and women, police, and the fire department.

“People of all races and nationalities came together to fight hate and give back... that’s how I want my community to remember 9/11. It’s a day when ordinary people became heroes, and a day when we can continue to be heroes in our community.” -Sarah Bartolini, 2016 Youth Advisory Council member 1 9/11 Day of Service & Remembrance Facilitator Toolkit | Introduction

How to use the toolkit

Follow the steps below:

Carefully reflect on personal experiences. 1 Facilitators, parents, and educators should spend some time processing their own feelings and emotions about the events of 9/11. It can be a difficult to talk about this day, especially with young people who do not fully realize the impact or seriousness of the tragedy. As a facilitator, it’s important to prepare yourself for these difficult conversations.

Review the facts. 2 Familiarize yourself with the events of the day, the timeline of events, the heroes who helped and the ways in which people from all over the world sent love to the survivors and victims’ families using the resources on pages 5–8.

Learn tips and tricks for effectively engaging youth in difficult 3 discussions.

Review best-practice for facilitating difficult discussions and the developmentally appropriate responses to share with youth when they ask tough questions using the resources on pages X–XX.

Support youth in learning about 9/11 and taking action! 4 •• Facilitate a discussion about 9/11. Correct any misperceptions about the day and provide an opportunity for youth to share their concerns. Use the discussion guide on page XX.

•• Guide youth in a service activity to commemorate the day. Help kids and teens process the event by using the “Heroes and Helpers Guide” on page 14. Research suggests the best way to help youth process and deal with complicated emotions is to help them solve the root cause of the problems.

•• Reflect on what was learned about 9/11 and the service project. Use the reflection resources on page 15 to help youth understand the importance of giving back through service and why they are commemorating the attacks of 9/11 by making the world a more peaceful place.

Appendix 5 Review some additional resources to support your 9/11 activities:

•• Lesson Plans. Encourage students to give their time, talent and compassion to make the world a better place by learning how to be philanthropists. Find the lesson plans on page XX.

•• Dr. Michele Borba Articles. Learn how to talk to kids and teeens about tragic events from youth development professional and tuhor Michele Borba.

2 9/11 Day of Service & Remembrance Facilitator Toolkit | Facilitator Tools & Resources

Facilitator Tools & Resources

Use the materials in this section of the toolkit to refresh and deepen your knowledge about 9/11.

This section of the toolkit contains the following information: were two of them and they looked nearly the same, both being the same height. 35,000 people worked in the towers •• An introduction to the events of the day and 430 companies had their offices there. •• A timeline of activities

•• Useful facts Around 17,000 people were in the Twin Towers when they were hit by the planes. Many people left safely, but the •• Profiles of heroes who helped buildings were very tall and many were trapped on higher •• The aftermath and world support floors. Firemen, police officers, and other first responders rushed to help those still trapped. Unfortunately, the buildings Use these resources to educate yourself about the day and were damaged, and before the first responders could help consider providing them to youth, as appropriate, as part of everyone, the Twin Towers collapsed. There was rubble and your 9/11 activities. dust everywhere and nearly 3,000 people were killed.

Sample Classroom Introduction to the Events of 9/11 In response to the September 11 attacks, United States On September 11, 2001, beginning at about 8:45 in the President George W. Bush proclaimed a war on terrorism. morning, a series of terrorist attacks destroyed the Twin Bush demanded that Afghanistan’s government hand over Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City and Osama bin Laden, the man believed to be responsible for severely damaged the Pentagon near Washington DC. coordinating the attacks. The government refused. Commercial airliners were hijacked by 19 men and flown directly into these three buildings, and another plane that was On October 7, 2001, the United States began air strikes on intended for a building in Washington DC was crashed into a targets in Afghanistan connected to al-Qaeda and Osama field in Pennsylvania when the passengers fought back. bin Laden. About 100,000 U.S. troops are now serving in The most prominent attack that day was the attack on the Afghanistan. More than 2,100 U.S. soldiers have been killed Twin Towers. They were called the Twin Towers because there there since 2001.

Source: http://www.history.com/topics/us-presidents/george-w-bush/pictures/george-w-bush/bush- 3 addresses-the-nation-after-terrorist-strikes 9/11 Day of Service & Remembrance Facilitator Toolkit | Facilitator Tools & Resources

Timeline of Events

Facts for the Facilitator

A total of 2,977 people were killed in New York City; Washington, DC and Pennsylvania in the worst terrorist attack in U.S. history.1

403 emergency workers in New York City who responded to the World Trade Center were killed on 9/11.1

Responders continue to search the rubble for 230 days after the tragedy and saved 18 people.2

Citizens of 78 countries died in the attacks. The world mourned relatives, friends and neighbors.3 A flag sticks up from the 9/11 Memorial in New York City (http://www.history.com/topics/9-11-attacks)

19 militants associated with al-Qaeda hijacked four airliners and carried out 8:19 a.m. the South Tower, killing everyone on board and attacks against targets in the U.S.4 Flight 11’s flight attendants alert ground hundreds inside the building. personnel that the plane has been hijacked by al-Qaeda was thought to be acting in terrorists. 9:37 a.m. retaliation of America’s support of Israel, Hijackers aboard Flight 77 crash the plane into its involvement in the Persian Gulf War, 8:46 a.m. the western facade of the Pentagon, killing 59 and its presence in the Middle East.5 Flight 11 crashes into the North Tower of the aboard the plane and 125 military and civillian World Trade Center, killing everyone on board personnel in the building. Osama bin Laden, the terrorist held and hundreds in the building. responsible for planning 9/11, was killed 9:59 a.m. by U.S. Special Forces on May 2, 2011.6 8:47 a.m. The South Tower collapses. Within seconds, the New York Police 1 http://www.cnn.com/2013/07/27/us/ Department and the Fire Department of New 10:07 a.m. september-11-anniversary-fast-facts/ York were dispatched to the World Trade Center. After passengers and crew aboard Flight 93 2 https://www.theguardian.com/world/2002/ aug/18/usa.terrorism learn about the attacks, they mount an attempt 3 http://www.history.com/topics/reaction- 9:02 a.m. to retake the plane. Their efforts led to the plane to-9-11 Port Authority officials broadcast orders to crashing into a field in Pennsylvania, killing 4 https://www.britannica.com/event/ evacuate both towers. An estimated 10-14,000 everyone on board. September-11-attacks people are already in the process of evacuating. 5 http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/ 10:28 a.m. attack-on-america 9:03 a.m. The North Tower collapses, 102 minutes after 6 http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/ asiapcf/05/02/bin.laden.raid/ Hijackers crash Flight 175 into floors 75-85 of being struck by Flight 11.

Source (http://timeline.911memorial.org/#Timeline/2)

4 9/11 Day of Service & Remembrance Facilitator Toolkit | Facilitator Tools & Resources

Stories of Heroes from 9/11

Officer Moira Smith

Smith was a 13 year veteran of the New York Police Department. Officer Smith had shown heroism in the line of duty before, earning the Police Department’s Distinguished Duty Medal for her actions during the Aug. 27, 1991 subway crash in Union Square in which five were killed and more than 130 hurt. She saved dozens of lives that day, and on September 11, she would selflessly risk her life again to help other victims get out safely. Smith put her life in danger to rescue people trapped in the World Trade Center, and made the ultimate sacrifice that day when she lost her life to save others. She was posthumously awarded the New York City Police Department’s Medal of Honor for her heroism.

Welles Crowther

“The man in the red bandana,” Welles Crowther, worked for Sandler O’Neill and Partners on the 104th floor of the South Tower. He was in his office when the first plane struck and he sprang into action getting his coworkers to safety--using his volunteer firefighter training. He wrapped his face in a red bandana to prevent inhaling smoke and saved at least 18 lives that day. He re-entered the building at least three times, helping evacuate trapped victims. He ultimately perished when he re-entered with a group of firefighters making their way up the South Tower with the “Jaws of Life.” That day, Crowther chose to use his knowledge to help others and save lives.

Tom Burnett

Burnett was the COO and vice president of Thoratec Corporation, a medical devices company., who had three children at home with his wife. On 9/11, he was on United Airlines Flight 93. After the plane was hijacked, he called his wife and found out about the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. He and a small group of other passengers decided to fight back against the hijackers. While the plan had been to regain control of the plane, they all ultimately perished when the plane crashed in a rural Pennsylvania field. Burnett knew that this was likely to be his fate, but chose to fight back and save the lives of the people in the building they were heading towards.

Rick Rescorla

Rescorla saved thousands of lives. Thanks to his immediate evacuation 16 minutes after the first plane hit the opposite tower, over 2,700 people were out when the second plane hit. During the evacuation, Rescorla calmly reassured people, singing “God Bless America” and “Men of Harlech” over a bullhorn, just as he had for his troops in Vietnam. During the evacuation Rescorla called his wife, according to The New Yorker: “Stop crying,” he told her. “I have to get these people out safely. If something should happen to me, I want you to know I’ve never been happier. You made my life.” Rescorla was last seen on the 10th floor of the South Tower, heading up to look for any stragglers. His body was never found.

5 9/11 Day of Service & Remembrance Facilitator Toolkit | Facilitator Tools & Resources

The Immediate Aftermath & World Support

After a terror attack occurs, people from all over London, England Moscow, Russia the world stand together. When focusing on the The “Star Spangeled Banner” played during the Women who spoke no English and had never events of 9/11, it is easy to forget how much love Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, been to the U.S. were captured on film sobbing and support the world showed that day. while traffic came to a standstill. in front of a makeshit tribute on the sidewalk.

The United States was not alone in mourning. Beijing, China Bangladesh, Yemen, Pakistan, Lybia & Sudan Seventy-eight countries lost citizens in the World Tens of thousands of people visited the U.S. Mosques in these countries trembled with clerics’ Trade Center, and the entire world grieved the Embassy, leaving flowers, cards, funeral wreaths condemnation of the “cowardly” and “un-Islamic” senseless violence. and notes of condolence on the sidewalk. attacks.

These are only a small selection of the acts of Cuba Tehran, Iran kindness and compassion from around the In response to the attacks, Cuba offered medical An entire stadium of people gathered for a soccer world. supplies to relief agencies in the U.S. match observed a moment of silence.

France Albania, Ireland, Israel, Canada, Croatia, South A well-known newspaper, Le Monde, ran a Korea & the Czech Republic headline reading: “We Are All Americans.” Declared national days of mourning.

Kyrgyztan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan & World Wide Kazakhstan dozens of other world leaders called the White Offered their air space. House to offer their support.

Source (http://mentalfloss.com/article/28724/we-are-all-americans-worlds-response-911)

6 9/11 Day of Service & Remembrance Facilitator Toolkit | Facilitator Tools & Resources

Tips for Having an Effective Discussion

The information in the subsequent several pages can be used by facilitators to guide effective and age-appropriate discussions and activities.

Be age appropriate.

For young children, avoid discussing the specifics of the attacks or abstract discussions about motives. Most older youth can participate in deeper conversations and discuss 9/11’s impact on the country.

Explain facts calmly and simply.

Try not to get too emotional, instead focus on modeling calmness and graveness. As the facilitator, you are tasked with presenting the facts and facilitating the discussion.

Respect feelings.

Youth may exhibit signs of fear, sadness and anger when learning about 9/11. Create a safe space to explore these reactions. Some may have no reaction because they feel so disconnected from events.

Don’t avoid difficult conversations

Youth will ask you difficult questions, sometimes about death, and answering them as completely as possible will provide them detailed and accurate information that they may not be getting elsewhere.

Gently correct misconceptions.

Youth may have been told a certain group or religion is to blame for 9/11. Remind them not to blame or dislike a group just because of their country of origin, faith, the way they dress or the skin color.

Be ready for conflicting opinions.

Many children will have strong opinions on 9/11, which they learned from watching TV, their parents or their community. Be prepared to diffuse heated discussions by sticking to the facts.

Listen for fears in their questions.

Especially in group settings, youth may not want to intentionally reveal their feelings of fear or anxiety. Be careful to use reassuring answers. (Use the Difficult Questions Guide to prepare for these).

Emphasize hope.

First responders and ordinary people were heroes that day. The world has since taken steps to prevent further attacks and are working to end terrorism. (Use the Heroes & Helpers Guide to help with this).

Remind them they can be part of the solution.

Youth may feel hopeless or angry after this discussion. Connect what they are doing to make their 7 community a kinder place as a solution to the larger problems facing the world and our country. 9/11 Day of Service & Remembrance Facilitator Toolkit | Facilitator Tools & Resources

Answering Difficult Questions

Ages 4-8 Ages 4-8 Children at this age are very concerned with Am I going to be okay? their own safety and how the events relate to There are a lot of people working very hard to keep us safe, including the President, firefighters, police their lives. officers and the military.

Ages 9-13 Why do people/terrorists hate us? They don’t hate us; they don’t even know us. It’s not about you or me. Children at this age will have more fears and anxiety about what else might happen. Don’t Ages 9-13 say these events can’t happen again because that’s not true, but emphasize that there are Do you think this will happen again? many people trying to keep them safe. There are still people out there who want to hurt others, but a lot of people are working very hard to keep us safe, including the President, firefighters, police officers and the military. Be honest, but don’t give too much information. Make this a moment to teach children about Why did this happen? controlling emotions and being empathetic. We don’t have all of the answers. A small number of men wanted to hurt other people and make us afraid. This is why it’s important not to hurt other people, even when we’re angry. Ages 14-18 Ages 14-18 The main point should be that the majority of people in the world condemn any act of terror. Did a lot of people die? Encourage thinking about “harmful acts” rather Yes. A lot of people were killed in the attacks, but many lives were saved by firefighters, than “evil people” or groups. policemen, early responders and every day people. There were a lot of heroes that day.

Talk with teens about the difference between How could they do that? the responsible individuals and those from We don’t have all of the answers, but these were men who were so angry at people who held different similar backgrounds. Use this time to to learn views from them that they were willing to hurt and kill over it. We should all remember to keep open about other cultures and religions. minds and not get angry at people who see things differently.

8 9/11 Day of Service & Remembrance Facilitator Toolkit | Discussion Guides & Activities for Youth

Discussion Guides & Activities for Youth

Talking about and learning about 9/11 can be difficult for youth and adults alike. The activities and guided discussions outlined in this part of the toolkit are intended to help youth learn about the events of 9/11, discuss their thoughts, feelings and emotions and act to make the world a better place. To most effectively engage youth, follow the steps below:

1. Complete an activity to understand what youth already know.

2. Share a video or read a book to help youth understand why 9/11 is important.

3. Lead a guided discussion to help address issues and provide additional learning activities.

4. Complete one of the activities in this toolkit. Youth can sometimes feel afraid or helpless after learning about 9/11. Help them understand they can be part of the solution to problems like hatred and intolerance.

5. Reflect on what you have learned together. It is important to help youth process what they have learned, and gain a deep understanding of themselves and how their actions fit into larger solutions.

9 9/11 Day of Service & Remembrance Facilitator Toolkit | Discussion Guides & Activities for Youth

Guided Discussion Activities

Learning Activity Show a Video or Read a Book Guided Discussion Questions Before you speak, ask participating youth what Discussing and remembering 9/11 is important, Prepare for the discussion by bringing a set of they know about September 11, 2001. It’s but doing it in a constructive way that imparts questions to get the conversation started. Below important to understand what youth already the magnitude of the day is equally important to you will find age appropriate questions that help know, or may have heard about the attacks. help youth develop empathy and understanding. youth work through what they’ve learned.

Many times the news will cover the events and Kindergarten and Elementary Youth Kindergarten and Elementary Youth replay the disturbing footage. It’s important for Literature is a great way to help youth learn •• How do you feel after learning about 9/11? younger children to know that these events are about issues in an age appropriate manner. not happening currently, and it’s important for •• What is something we should remember when older children to receive the facts from the day, September Roses is the story of two African scary things happen? (i.e. there are many as much of what they know may be based in women traveling to NYC for a flower show and people trying to keep us safe) opinion rather than fact. landing just before the towers fell. Strangers to •• Why is it important for us to help others? the city, the women are shown kindness by a For Youth of All Ages stranger, and later repay it by creating a •• What is something you can do to help others? 01. Ask students what they know about 9/11. memorial to the fallen towers with their flowers. September Roses highlights the ways people Middle and High School Youth 02. Write down observations and details, even from diverse backgrounds came together to help •• What aspects of American life do you think ones that may be incorrect, in plain view. each other in the aftermath of 9/11. were changed after the 9/11 terrorist attacks?

03. Address any misconceptions about 9/11 and Middle and High School Youth •• What measures do you see at airports and fill in information. For middle and high school age youth, showing a other places that aim to promote public safety? short video may be helpful. •• How did the nation and world come together 04. Walk through the facts from the day as in the days following 9/11? appropriate for the age group. Watch Reconciliation, a free 15-minute award- winning documentary developed by 2012 •• How do you think those who lost their lives in generationOn Youth Advisory Council member the attacks of 9/11 should be remembered? Lance Oppenheim. This short film which explores •• How should future generations be educated how different people from the same community about 9/11? share an interwoven story filled with grief and hope. •• Why do we observe this day as a National Day of Service?

10 9/11 Day of Service & Remembrance Facilitator Toolkit | Discussion Guides & Activities for Youth

Heroes & Helpers In teaching children about 9/11, the main point that should come across is that the majority of people in the world condemn violence and terror. You may not agree with someone else’s ideas, but you should not hurt them for expressing them. Remind youth that most people in the world are good and kind, and that they can be too.

Be Heroes & Helpers!

1. Create an anti-bullying space by having youth pledge to stand up to bullying and raise awareness.

2. Spend the day delivering meals and visiting with homebound seniors.

3. Start a blood drive with the American Red Cross and help the community prepare for a disaster.

4. Paint a mural showing appreciation for first responders, servicemen and women and everyday heroes.

Start the Discussion Heroes & Helpers Brainstorming Activity. 5. Hold a dinner and serve food from Ask participants to find ways that they can around the world. Discuss hunger •• Who are some heroes you admire? What are become Heroes and Helpers in their community. in the community or other cultures! their names? Are they real or fictional? Start with this brainstorming activity to jog their •• What is one word you would use to describe creativity and help them understand their role in 6. Create a memorial to the victims of your heroes? making the world a better place. 9/11 by planting trees in teh comminity or making a park bench. •• Who are some heroes that keep us safe 01. Ask youth to think about how they can everyday? make the world a better place everyday. For 7. Honor the people killed on 9/11 by •• What do the heroes you just mentioned have example, how can being brave make the helping kids in developing in common with police, firefighters or doctors? world a better place? countries achieve an education! 02. Have youth write down 5 ways they can •• How can you be a hero or helper in your become heroes and helpers through service. 8. Create disaster preparedness kits classroom or community? 03. Have each person share their favorite idea. for a classroom, the elderly or 04. Write down some of the ideas and vote on participating youth’s homes. List some everyday heroes which activity you might complete as a •• Servicemen and women group. 9. Send care packages to military families or soldiers living abroad to •• Doctors thank them for their sacrifices. •• Police officers & firefighters 10. Recorde the story of a local veteran •• Lifeguards for Veteran’s History Project and •• Aid workers send it to the Lbrary of Congress.

•• People who stand up to bullies

11 9/11 Day of Service & Remembrance Facilitator Toolkit | Discussion Guides & Activities for Youth

Reflection Activities

Understanding Reflection Collective Reflection Activity Time Capsule Reflection Activity Young people are as different as adults in the 01. Explain to participants of the service 01. Have each participant sit down with a pen way that they most effectively reflect on their experience that they will be asked to write and paper to answer each of the questions experiences. It is important to understand the down or draw an observation about each of below. process of reflection and learn how the youth the following: will benefit most from these exercises after they A. One thing they learned about 9/11 02. Ask them to answer each question in have completed a service project. B. How they feel about 9/11 roughly 2-3 sentences. C. Why it’s important to remember 9/11 Reflection should help young people: D. How they commemorated the day 03. Put all of the answers in an individual “time through service in their community capsule” which can be opened the following •• Think Back: What was the original purpose of year on 9/11. this project/experience? 02. Pass out four post-it notes to all participants. •• Think Forward: If I had chosen to do “x” or not Sample Questions to do “x”, what might have happened? 03. Be sure to write down the questions in a place the children can reference them when •• What did you learn from doing this project? •• Think Inward: Why was this project or responding to the questions. experience meaningful to me? •• How did this project make you feel?

•• Think Outward: What was the impact of this 04. Have each participant write down their •• How did the project help people? project on others? answers individually. •• What worked well about the project?

05. As they are finished, ask each person to •• What can you do better next time? come forward and hang their post-it to •• How do you feel about 9/11 after doing this display what they learned. project?

06. Talk briefly about some of the answers that •• What did you learn about 9/11 from this were given. project?

12 9/11 Day of Service & Remembrance Facilitator Toolkit | Appendix Appendix

Utilize the additional materials in this section when planning and completing your 9/11 activities!

Lesson Plans Honor the memory of September 11th by challenging your students to exercise their courage to be everyday heroes through service to the community. Focus students on their responsibility to give their time, talent and treasure for the common good (philanthropy). Search for lessons about volunteering and disaster response and preparedness.

I’m a Philanthropist! (Grades K-2) This lesson introduces or reinforces the definition of philanthropy. The children are given the opportunity to see that philanthropy is something in which they are capable of participating. The memory building game stimulates the children to choose many different ways of being philanthropic. The students are encouraged to make a conscious effort to improve their community.

Whom Do You Trust? (Grades 3-5) This lesson will challenge students’ ideas about who they trust and why. Discuss how community capital is built and its value to the common good.

Stereo What? (Grades 6-8) The purpose of this lesson is to explore the preconceived opinions that we have about people in our own culture as well as in other cultures. Students will explore examples of bias in their own personal experiences.

Tolerance and Nonviolence in Civil Society (Grades 9-12) The learners will explore how a single act of violence or intolerance can effect a large population of people. They will explore alternative ways to voice an opinion in a nonviolent way and learn how acting philanthropically will often produce positive results even out of tragedy.

Dr. Michele Borba Article Dr. Michele Borba is an internationally recognized expert and author on children, teens, parenting, bullying and moral development. Her work aims to help strengthen children’s character and resilience, build strong families, create compassionate and just school cultures, and reduce peer cruelty. Her practical, research-based advice is culled from a career of working with over one million parents and educators worldwide.

Read her article on “How to Talk To Kids About Scary News”.