Recent events in the news have turned our thoughts to the hundreds of September 11 victims residing in California. All four planes that were hijacked on September 11, 2001, were headed to California – three to Los Angeles and one to San Francisco. United Airlines Flight 175 and American Airlines Flight 11 crashed into the World Trade Center. American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon and United Airlines Flight 93, which was en route to San Francisco, crashed just outside of Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
Upon hearing of the horrific attacks, the VCGCB took immediate action to provide assistance to victims and their families. Emergency legislation enabled us to provide aid to the victims and to help Californians deal with the trauma and aftermath of the attacks. The VCGCB also took action to receive federal grant money from the federal Office for Victims of Crime. These grants provided additional benefits and funding for peer support group meetings for the next three years for the victims in Northern and Southern California.
The VCGCB reached out to those in need by expanding the programs call center to handle increased communications, developing a special newsletter for 9/11 victims to enhance communications, and translating hate crime fact sheets into seven languages to better serve those in need. We also partnered with the California State Bar Association to provide pro bono legal assistance to victims in need of these services. In addition, the VCGCB collaborated with national assistance programs such as the Red Cross and United Way to identify the varying needs of victims and potential resources.
CalVCP has paid out over $4 million in assistance to family members and survivors to provide mental health treatment, funeral and burial expenses, income and support loss as well as other benefits. It is difficult to comprehend the pain and tragedy experienced by these victims. They have traveled a long and difficult path in learning how to accept and live with this experience. Their courage and resilience are inspiring.
