Mary and Frank Fetchet pose in front of a quilt commemorating the life of their son, Brad, who died in the Sept. 11 attacks.
Photo credit: Joseph Cole

When Frank and Mary Fetchet talk about the tragic events of 9/11, there is one idea that surfaces again and again: resilience. For them, it is the key to recovery.

"We have to build a community of support for those impacted by the events of 9/11 and promote resiliency in their lives," Mary said in their New Canaan office. She is surrounded by tokens of affection commemorating those lost in the attacks. More than a few carry the name of her son, Brad. He worked on the 89th floor of Tower Two. Even nine years later, Frank grows uncomfortable and says he'll need to step out of the room if the details are going to be discussed.

Almost immediately following the attacks, Mary reached out to the families of the victims. She is a professional counselor and, in a twist of fate, had already been studying the fallout from terrorism after the Oklahoma City bombing. Voices of September 11th (VOICES) grew out of Mary's early outreach work with the families and survivors. It now stands as one of the primary organizations offering support services for survivors and rescue workers as well as educational programs and exhibits and an annual commemorative conference in New York City.

The couple manages a professional staff which includes trained social workers across two offices: one in New Canaan and one in New Brunswick, N.J. High school and college interns assist on projects. Grants and donations from foundations and individuals keep the non-profit’s wheels turning. They are looking for funding to open an office in New York.

One of the organization’s major initiatives, the 9/11 Living Memorial, is an extensive digital archive of photographs, written materials that celebrate the nearly 3,000 lives of those lost and the documents the stories of those impacted by the events of 9/11. VOICES staff is meeting with victim’s families, rescue workers, survivors around the country. The images will be provided to the National September 11 Memorial Museum for use in its exhibits. The museum is being built as part of the memorial plaza located at the site of the World Trade Center.

The Fetchet's said they are always looking for volunteers to help collect and sort the digital materials. The Fetchet's also memorialize their son with a scholarship. The Bradley J. Fetchet Memorial Foundation provides need-based scholarships at New Canaan High School and Bucknell University. Throughout it all, the Fetchet’s remember their son. The act of helping other families has become part of their own recovery.

Frank said it has been very therapeutic for himself. "There is a satisfaction in seeing a person get their life back in balance," said Frank.