The September 11, 2001 response and recovery oral history project, 2001-2005.

Scope and Contents

The New York Times 9/11 Neediest Fund awarded a grant to the Oral History Research Office in 2002 to undertake a project documenting the experiences of professionals who responded to the major urban crises generated by the events of September 11th. Between 2002 and 2005, OHRO conducted interviews with sixty-six people. Of these interviews, most were conducted with leading responders in the fields of philanthropy, trauma services, unemployment relief, law, and education. To better understand the New Yorkers who were being helped by the outreach programs, an additional dozen interviews were conducted with indivduals deeply traumatized by September 11th and its aftermath. The interviewees represent both governmental and nongovernmental organizations such as the United Way, the New York City Mayor's office, the public schools, and the September 11th Fund. They speak of the challenges and rewards of responding to this particular event, of the many collaborative programs, and the difficulties of documentation and defining who was eligible for assistance. Many interviewees reflect on how services could be improved for the future. Interviewees discuss a wide variety of projects, including: emergency medical services, disaster relief, mental health assistance, employment and cash assistance, insurance assistance, after-school programs, legal aid, assistance for undocumented immigrants, monetary compensation for families of the deceased, art and play therapy, health and environmental risk evaluation, challenges to public policies, and human rights and anti-bias work in Muslim and Arab communities.

Subjects

• Interviews.
• Oral histories (literary works)
• September 11 Terrorist Attacks, 2001--Personal narratives.
• September 11 Terrorist Attacks, 2001.
• Terrorism--New York (State)--New York.

Access Conditions

Copyright by The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York, 2003-2005. Permission required to cite, quote, and reproduce. Contact repository for information.