Strength to Strength's Young Ambassadors Program (YAP) April 2012

This year's Young Ambassadors Program (YAP) took place March 25-April 1, 2012. Participants ages 14-20 came from different countries and backgrounds but shared a special connection that bonds them for life – they were all victims of terrorism. Each of the participants in the program either lost a family member in a terrorist attack or were injured themselves. Participating countries included England, Northern Ireland, Israel, Argentina, Uganda, Kenya and the United States.

We spent the week touring sites in New York City which included FAO Schwartz, Ellis Island, The Intrepid Museum, Museum of Natural History and the Hard Rock Cafe. They met community and political leaders including Ambassador Ron Prosor, UN Representative of Israel, Deputy Ambassador Jim Kelly, UN Representative of Ireland and FDNY Commissioner Sal Cassano to share their stories. They also had a special tour of the 9/11 Tribute Center by Lee Ielpi, former firefighter who now runs the Tribute WTC Visitor Center near Ground Zero and lost his son Jonathan Ielpi, FDNY Squad 288 on 9/11. A highlight this year was a ride on the new emergency boat "343" named after the 343 firefighters who lost their lives on 9/11. The group was the first civilan group to board the new boat and they were given a special tour and ride on the Hudson River.

The week was filled with exciting surprises but also the opportunity for the participants to learn about each other, share their experiences and support each other to move forward with their lives.

As the participants packed up to depart, the group realized that this experience was life-changing. They had built friendships in that week, but more importantly a global support group of those they could count on, that would last a lifetime. We look forward to bringing this group together again in the future to continue to connect them in order to heal.