PROJECT COMMON BOND UNITES INTERNATIONAL TEENS WHOSE LIVES HAVE BEEN TOUCHED BY TERRORISM  

Tuesday’s Children Hosts Week-Long Peace-Building and Conflict Resolution Forum at Foxcroft School in Virginia from July 23-30, 2011

Manhasset, NY, July 22, 2011- Seventy-seven teens from around the world who have lost a family member to an act of terrorism will join together to form an international alliance called Project Common Bond under the auspices of Tuesday’s Children, the premier non-profit organization serving the needs of the 9/11 community. The eight-day program, now in its fourth year, is changing the lives of young people around the globe through a curriculum that teaches peace-building, mediation and conflict resolution skills.

Tuesday’s Children created Project Common Bond in 2007 in response to a request from 9/11 teens who wanted an opportunity to “give back” through a larger, global initiative. The 2011 Project Common Bond participants will include young adults between the ages of 15 to 20 years old from the United States, Israel, Palestine, Northern Ireland, Russia, Spain, Argentina and Sri Lanka. The program will be held at Foxcroft School in Middleburg, Virginia from July 23^rd through July 30^th.

According to Terry Sears, Executive Director of Tuesday’s Children, the goal of Project Common Bond is simple and achievable: to impact the lives of young people who have suffered a loss as a result of an act of terrorism – and in doing so, give them opportunities for healing and personal growth, as well as leadership skills so they can help others.  

During the eight-day forum, the young adults will participate in therapeutic group work, community-building activities, conflict resolution projects and team events designed to foster trust, healing, cooperation and communication. They will also visit Washington, DC, tour the historical Holocaust Museum and the Institute of Peace.

Ms. Sears said, “For these teenagers, the sudden, violent, and public nature of their loss becomes an overwhelming and defining characteristic of their lives. These kids feel different than most of their friends. Often, they are isolated and alone.  Their experience is not something that’s easily shared with others.

“At Common Bond, they feel safe.  They are suddenly shoulder to shoulder with other teens who understand exactly what they have been through. Common Bond provides them with the opportunity to take their personal tragedy and – with professional guidance from health experts and professionals in conflict resolution – turn their tragedy into strength,” Sears added.

This year marks 19-year old Julie Griffin’s fourth year at Common Bond.  Julie, whose father was killed on September 11^th, said, “I wouldn’t miss Project Common Bond (PCB) for the world. I love all the people involved in PCB and the way I feel there. For me, PCB is almost like therapy.  Talking to other people who have lost someone through terrorism – just as I have – helps me to grow and be a stronger person.”

Ms. Griffin also noted that she has built enduring friendships through Common Bond.  “Because of the last three years of camp, I have been to Spain to visit friends from PCB and this summer my best friend from Northern Ireland, Davina, is staying with me in America for a month. I hope to expand my friendships with the people I have already met through PCB and make even more friends along the way.”

The curriculum was designed by Harvard University Law School’s Negotiation and Mediation Clinical Program and incorporates a second Harvard-designed program, the Dignity Model by Donna Hicks of the Weatherhead Center of International Affairs.

The symposium is being delivered by a team of professionals, coordinated by Curriculum Director and family therapist Monica Meehan McNamara, which includes Stephan Sonnenberg, a recent Lecturer on Law and a Clinical Instructor in the Harvard Negotiation and Mediation Clinical Program.

Kathy Murphy, Director of Project Common Bond and Tuesday’s Children’s teen programs, said, “At Project Common Bond, we are helping to build the next generation of teachers, doctors, business people, lawyers, engineers, scientists, mothers and fathers. Each of our Project Common Bond kids – no matter where they live – will have a better understanding of how to get by in a very imperfect world and the tools to do it with.”

Ms. Murphy noted that Tuesday’s Children ensures that Project Common Bond is year-round experience for the participants.  Following the week-long forum, Tuesday’s Children organizes web-based symposia, blogs, chats and events that keeps the teens actively engaged in the program.

Ms. Murphy also thanked the Foxcroft School for its generosity in providing a Project Common Bond scholarship to an international participant, and for opening up their beautiful facilities for this special program.

Project Common Bond is designed and directed by Tuesday’s Children with the active engagement of its international partners. For a full list of the 2011 participating organizations click here. 

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Tuesday’s Children is a non-profit family service organization that has made a long term commitment to every individual impacted by the events of September 11, 2001 and more recently those who have been impacted by terrorist incidents worldwide. Since 2001, Tuesday’s Children has promoted healing and recovery by strengthening family resilience, providing individual coping and life management skills and creating community through programs, mental health support and family engagement opportunities.

About Foxcroft School (www.foxcroft.org ) Founded in 1914, Foxcroft is a college-preparatory boarding and day school for girls in grades 9-12.  The 2010-11 student body was comprised of 157 girls from 20 states, eight countries and the District of Columbia.  Foxcroft offers more then 90 courses, including 17 Advanced Placement classes, nine interscholastic sports and an outstanding riding program.