Association Mission
The September 11th Families’ Association supports victims of terrorism through communication, representation and peer support. Our mission is to unite the September 11th community, present evolving issues, and share resources for long-term recovery.
The September 11th Families’ Association (September 11th Widows’ and Victims’ Families’ Association is a registered 501c3 non profit corporation). 9/11 Tribute Museum (Tribute WTC Visitor Center), is a project of the September 11th Families’ Association.
The 9/11 Tribute Museum was created by the September 11th Families’ Association, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization incorporated in November 2001 by victims’ families. The 9/11 Tribute Museum conveys an understanding of the humanity and community that was both lost and found in the aftermath of 9/11. Although the 9/11 Tribute Museum closed in 2022, the Association continues to provide free educational resources to students around the world and the Tribute docents continue to share their personal stories on student tours of the 9/11 Memorial.
Participation in the Tribute volunteer program has had a documented impact on members of the 9/11 community; promoting an enhanced sense of healing, enhanced compassion and appreciation for their place as history keepers.
9/11 Community Volunteers – Sharing Personal History
The 9/11 Tribute Museum’s volunteer program draws from the entire 9/11 community: family members who lost loved ones, survivors, Lower Manhattan residents and workers, rescue workers, civilian volunteers, police and firefighters. Volunteers are trained to share their personal 9/11 experiences in a five point walking tour of the 9/11 Memorial. Volunteers connect physical locations to specific events. Tribute volunteers have served over 400,000 visitors on personal tours.
Learn more about volunteering with the 9/11 Tribute Museum >>
Education Programs
September 11th Personal Stories of Transformation
September 11th Personal Stories of Transformation
September 11th: Personal Stories of Transformation is a complete toolkit for the classroom. Five-minute interactive videos engage students in stories of 10 people who channeled tragedy into healing and civic engagement.
There are eight five-minute video stories, featuring people who were deeply affected by the attacks of 9/11 and responded with humanitarian initiatives to strengthen their local and global communities. The compelling stories include a local high school principal, a survivor, 9/11 family members, first responders, a Muslim community member, and brothers of victims who created memorials in Pennsylvania and Virginia. Each video is accompanied by a range of teaching materials and resources.
Learn more about this free, online multimedia toolkit for teachers >>
9/11: The World Speaks
9/11: The World Speaks
At the end of their visit to the 9/11 Tribute Museum visitors have taken the opportunity to sit down, reflect and record their reflections about the meaning and impact of 9/11. These visitor cards have been collected and archived. these have been written by people visiting from over 120 countries and in 50 different languages.
9/11: The World Speaks, published by Lyons Press is a compilation of over 200 cards written by visitors from across the country and around the world after their visit through the 9/11 Tribute Museum museum exhibitions. Written by children and adults in many of the world’s languages, the cards express our common humanity. In drawings and verse, in philosophical statements and personal recollections, people have shared their thoughts about the deeply felt impact of 9/11 on their lives.
