Unity & Hope: 4th Annual Young Ambassadors Program April 2014

Strength to Strength's 4th Annual Young Ambassadors Program (YAP) took place from April 24-May 1, 2014. Participants ages 13-20 came together from 6 different countries to participate in therapeutic and empowering programs while touring New York City together. This year’s participants included those from some of our partner organizations in England, France, Israel, Northern Ireland, Spain and the United States. Each had their own story to share and all participants and staff members left the week feeling a sense of unity and hope. 

The group spent the week visiting multiple destinations throughout New York City. The program included deeply moving and educational experiences as well as opportunities to unwind and have some fun. Excursions included The Intrepid, FAO Schwartz, Central Park, Times Square, Planet Hollywood and many others. The group also had opportunities to interact with members of Strength to Strength’s Young Executives Division, which consists of young professionals who assist in spreading awareness and raising funds for programs such as YAP. They visited with Lee Ielpi, former firefighter and President of the WTC Tribute Center which is steps away from the 9/11 Memorial. Lee led a special tour of the 9/11 Tribute Center sharing his experiences in losing his son, Jonathan Ielpi, FDNY Squad 288 on 9/11. They met with community and political leaders such as NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton & Deputy Commissioner of Intelligence of the NYPD, John Miller, Ambassador Juan Pablo de Laiglesia, representative of Spain to the United Nations, Ambassador Lyall Grant, representative of the United Kingdom to the United Nations and Gil Lainer, Consul for Public Affairs at the Consulate General of Israel in New York who each left them with empowering messages of strength and hope.

Throughout the program, the group was joined by members of the Board of Directors Strength to Strength. One board member, Wendy Lanski, has been part of the YAP program for the last three years. "YAP members are our future. If we as victims and survivors of terrorism can do anything to show these young people that they can go forward and lead a meaningful life, it is our duty to do so. We need to be role models and teach all those around us that we will never forget, but we can live our lives fully to honor those that we lost."

An evening of cultural diversity, hosted by Rabbi Joseph Potasnik, Executive Vice-President, New York Board of Rabbis, brought together individuals from different backgrounds including Jewish, Christian and Muslim guests to discuss the differences that bring us all together. Ari Schonbrun, board member, Strength to Strength and a 9/11 survivor from Cantor Fitzgerald shared his story of survival and how to continue on after tragedy. The group had the opportunity to ask questions to the religious leaders that were present.  

The week continued as the group partnered with the New York Says Thank You Foundation's Jeff Parness, Founder & Executive Director and Kathleen McCarthy, Director of Development, who joined to facilitate a special project called "Stars of Hope". The group was also hosted for lunch at Talia’s Steakhouse by Seth Gerszberg, a Strength to Strength donor and supporter. Special invited guests to lunch included Senator Robert Singer, State Senator, 30th district, New Jersey, who presented each participant and staff member a Proclamation from the State of New Jersey honoring their participation in the Young Ambassadors Program as well as their strength and courage. Mayor Menashe Miller, Mayor of Lakewood, New Jersey, presented Strength to Strength director, Sarri Singer, with a special award acknowledging the incredible work of Strength to Strength on behalf of the citizens of Lakewood. Finally Talia's owner, Effie Nagar, shared his own loss by telling the group that his restaurant's name is in memory of his daughter, Talia, who lost her battle with cancer. 

Combined with special therapeutic programming led by Paulo Pimentel, psychotherapist and board member of Strength to Strength, the participants were supported while telling their often highly emotional stories. Some of the support staff have also been directly impacted by terrorism and told their stories too. They attended various workshops during the week including sharing experiences, art therapy and teaching terrorism. 

As the group finished the closing program on May 1st, everyone realized that not only was this experience life-changing but the friendships made in that week, were just the beginning. These young people left knowing that they had support and people they could count on going forward. They are now part of the ever-growing Strength to Strength family – and they know they can count on us to be there for them when they need us.

There are many individuals, groups and companies that have made this program possible and they will be thanked for their generosity, financially and personally. We would like to take this opportunity to thank the Board of Directors of Strength to Strength and the Young Executives Division, which is the young leadership arm of the organization and their members, who went out of their way to provide a welcoming and supportive week for the Young Ambassadors Program.  

For more information or to participate in the next Young Ambassadors Program, please contact Sarri Singer at sarri@stosglobal.org.