On September 11, 2001 tragedy struck America in an unprecedented way. The Ireland Funds responded with a pledge of $1m to help the families of those affected by this terrible human tragedy.

This report is an update on how that $1m helped

Abraham House

Recognized by The Robin Hood Foundation as one of the three best programs in New York City at fighting poverty, Abraham House immediately utilized the AIF grant to help over 200 families in the South Bronx avoid eviction from their homes. In almost every family that received aid, the breadwinner had lost employment as a direct result of September 11th.

Aisling Irish Community Center

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Since 1997 the Aisling Irish Community Center has provided pastoral care and counseling, social services, job referrals and immigration counseling to the Irish Immigrant community in the Bronx area.

As a result of September 11th, the Center saw a vast increase in the demand for employment services and searches. The AIF grant allowed the Center to completely upgrade their computer capabilities for two purposes: to assist with employment placements for individuals who lost their jobs as a result of 9/11, and for the expansion of the Center's computer training courses for those seeking employment in Information Services.

Association to Benefit Children (ABC)

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In the decade since its inception, ABC has responded swiftly and aggressively to every new threat on the ever-changing landscape of poverty, including homelessness, drug addiction, and HIV. Their response to September 11th was no different.

The AIF grant given to ABC has helped create, develop and expand the program, A Child's Space. This innovative therapeutic play environment was present at all six (one is still in operation) of the 9/11 relief centers in downtown New York City. At A Child's Space, victims of the attacks did not have to wait on long lines or wade through various booths to try to find the specific services they were seeking. Instead, a comforting, nurturing and warm environment was provided where children could play and more importantly, deal with trauma they were experiencing.

A Child's Space accomplished this trauma recognition and treatment via direct service through mental health therapy, and indirectly through therapeutic play with drawings, building blocks and other games that assisted in identifying and treating Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, high anxiety, and many other evolving emotional issues.

As a result of A Child's Space's success and positive impact, ABC has integrated it into all of their other existing programs. In addition, with the help of the AIF grant, three full-time employees were hired exclusively for A Child's Space, over 200 volunteers were trained to work with the program at ABC, and 1,076 outside agency volunteers (including librarians, daycare center workers and teachers) were trained on how to implement their own model of A Child's Space.

Asociación Tepeyac

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Tepeyac's mission is to promote the social welfare and human rights of Latino immigrants, specifically the undocumented in New York City. September 11th was devastating to this community and it has been an uphill battle for victims' families to apply for and receive aid, especially for those who were undocumented. Tepeyac has taken this task with a full head of steam helping families obtain victims compensation, legal advisory, support for dislocated workers, mental health care and assistance to victims' families overseas.

The AIF grant was used to hire three full time caseworkers, who created and facilitated all of the Asociasión's September 11th related programs.

Building Trades Families' Relief Fund

The Building and Construction Trades Department established the Building Trades Families' Relief Fund, which directly addressed the special needs of construction craftspeople and their families. The AIF grant helped distribute $30,000 to each of the 61 families of NY Trade members who died on September 11th.

Citigroup Relief Fund

The AIF grant reflects the amount contributed from the Irish employees of Citibank to the Citigroup Relief Fund, which was used to provide post-secondary scholarships for the children of victims who were killed or permanently disabled. In September of 2002, 108 students were awarded a total of $754,274 in scholarships

Civic Capital Corporation

In response to September 11th, the Civic Capital Corporation in association with the NYC Investment Fund created the Financial Recovery Fund. The 'FRF' was designed to provide both financial and strategic assistance to small downtown companies directly affected by the tragedy.

The FRF allocated $11.4 million in grants to 88 small businesses, which employed 1, 916 workers and represented combined revenue of $250 million. Most of the grants were awarded to businesses that were located in the World Trade Center or elsewhere in the Restricted Zone and 39% of the recipients were minority and/or women-owned businesses. As a result of the AIF grant, Civic Capitol provided three grants of equal value to support struggling businesses.

Comfort Zone Camp

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Comfort Zone, the nation's largest bereavement camp, offered exclusive weekend camp opportunities for the children who lost a parent or close relative in the September 11th attacks. More than 100 families participated in the camps, which included group healing circles, arts and crafts, nature hikes, and grief counselors to help children mourn in a healthy way. All activities were designed to give the campers opportunities to express emotions with others who are coping with similar losses and to provide them with the tools to help on both good and bad days.

The American Ireland Fund's contribution gave Comfort Zone the ability to specifically reach out to the children of Pentagon victims and allowed the Camp to be absolutely free for participants including all meals and lodging.

Comfort Zone website

Community Food Resource Center

Community Food Resource Center is an advocacy and direct service organization that strives to ensure access to nutritious food, adequate income and affordable housing for low-income New Yorkers. CFRC is still experiencing an increased demand at its nerve-center, Harlem Community Kitchen, with a 20% increase of meals served per night.

The AIF grant was used to fund the CFRC's newest endeavor, The Community Food Pantry. This innovative supermarket-modeled pantry will serve the needs of hundreds families in East Harlem. Instead of receiving a box of random items, clients will have access to a dignified, respectful setting where they will be able to shop, choosing the items their family needs the most. The Pantry will also help alleviate the pressure on the Community Kitchen allowing families to make meals in their own homes.

CYO Little Heroes Camp

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The Little Heroes Camp welcomed 100 children who lost a family member in the September 11th tragedy for a four-week camp designed around three innovative and very well proven counseling methods. Programs included: Art Therapy, where the campers could express their feelings; Adventure Base Counseling which helped to build confidence levels; and Animal Assisted Therapy, which helped campers regain any lost values and feel useful again.

The AIF was the initial donor to the Little Heroes, as well as one of the largest contributors. CYO plans to continue the camp every summer for at least the next three years and seeks to expand to service 300 children for seven weeks and adapt to include kids from other charities.

Emerald Isle Immigration Services

Since 1988 the EIIC has helped thousands to apply for visas and has assisted many thousands more to follow through and get green cards. Since 1990 the Center has broadened the scope of its services to include job-training, counseling and placement services.

The AIF grant has allowed to EIIC to elevate the Employment Assistance Coordinator to full time status to address the influx of September 11th related unemployment. It also permitted the Center to increase the number of hours for onsite counselors, who serviced those dealing with the psychological implications of September 11th.

FBI Agents Association

The AIF grant directly assisted the family of the fallen FBI Agent Lenny Hatton who was killed volunteering his services alongside New York City Firemen. As a federal employee, Lenny's family was ineligible for much of the compensation offered to other victims. The AIF responded to their need by providing the largest single source contribution to the Hatton family.

Little Sisters of the Assumption Family

Little Sisters of the Assumption Family includes vowed members, lay professionals, and volunteers working together for the health and dignity of all people through home health agencies and family services.

As a result of the AIF grant, over 100 families in the immediate community were given assistance with rent and utilities in a time of desperate need. The grant helped many avoid eviction and allowed them to overcome the loss of loved ones and job loss as a result of September 11th. Little Sisters distributed the funds very carefully via an internal committee that held weekly meetings to identify the most qualified and needy families.

New York Landmarks Conservancy

Since the collapse of The World Trade Center, the NY Landmarks Conservancy has helped owners and residents of Lower Manhattan's historic buildings navigate the difficult process of restoration.

St. Peter's Church located a few blocks from Ground Zero, was built in 1840 and is the oldest church in Manhattan. The AIF grant funded the repair of its stained glass windows damaged by debris from the World Trade Center.

NY Police & Fire Widows' & Children's Fund

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The New York Police & Fire Widows' & Children's Benefit Fund, Inc. was established in 1985 by Daniel J. "Rusty" Staub to assist the families of Police Officers and Firefighters who have been killed in the line of duty. Though the charity was initially created to assist the families of Police Officers and Firefighters only, after the tragic events of September 11th, the charity expanded its mission to include the families of Port Authority Officers and EMS. On Sept. 11th the number of surviving spouses served by the Fund greatly increased from 425 to 725.

On Tuesday, June 18, 2002, the AIF grant was used to underwrite 1,000 tickets to the annual 'Day at Shea', which included a picnic and a night baseball game. Before the game, children representing each of the uniformed services were able to throw out an honorary first pitch.

Pennsylvania Assistance Program

Immediately after September 11th, the PA 9/11 Victim Assistance Program established a special unit of case managers to serve all Pennsylvania victims and their families. Families were contacted, a website formed and an 800 number was established within several weeks of the tragedy. Case managers helped over 225 families connect with the various funding sources available, sort out insurance difficulties, connect with counselors and arrange for visits to Ground Zero and the site where Flight 93 went down.

The AIF grant subsidized the salaries of the case managers and helped offset the costs associated with traveling to Liberty State Park, NJ or Pier 94 in New York City, where families received assistance.

Robin Hood Foundation

The Robin Hood Foundation is the premiere poverty fighting organization New York City. Immediately after September 11th they proved this yet again. Robin Hood set up their own Relief Fund, which is still doing what Robin Hood has always done - effectively helping people in need. Specifically, it is benefiting victims' families, the rescue workers, and others who have been affected by the economic consequences of the attacks and its aftermath.

In particular, Robin Hood is working to ensure that the needs of lower income victims are met in both the immediate and long term, and that no needy victim falls through the cracks of the relief effort. To date $38.9 million has been distributed to 80 organizations, 60 of which were first time recipients of Robin Hood's generosity. The AIF grant was used in the 2001 effort which, before the winter holidays, gave out approximately $15.4 million in direct aid to the families of those killed or critically injured on September 11th in the attacks on the World Trade Center, Pentagon, and Shanksville, PA.

Twin Towers Emergency Servants Fund - Philadelphia, PA

Former Police Commissioner John Timoney established this Fund in Philadelphia following the tragedy. The AIF grant helped to disburse payments to the families of police officers, firefighters and emergency service workers who lost their lives on September 11th.

Windows of Hope Family

Windows of Hope Family Relief Fund was formed to provide aid, future scholarships and funds to the families of the victims of the World Trade Center tragedy who worked in the food, beverage and hospitality professions in the towers and in the surrounding area. With the help of the AIF, Windows of Hope identified and assisted over 125 eligible families with some 150 plus dependant children.

To date each family has received four direct cash distributions plus emergency monies distributed on an "as needed basis". WOH has committed to fund five years of health insurance-coverage for all of the families. In addition to the health insurance fund, money for scholarships has been set-aside in a separate fund. Scholarship money is available for all family members from preschool through graduate studies