#911 Community Of Hearts

9/11 Hearts of Service: Honoring Heroes Through Mental Health Advocacy is a community volunteer initiative that honors the spirit of September 11 by equipping volunteers to support the mental well-being of others through education and service. Community of Hearts will engage more than 200 volunteers, including youth, families, veterans, first responders, community organizations, and AmeriCorps members, in a day dedicated to compassion, remembrance, and action. The event will begin with a brief 9/11 remembrance and recognition of veterans and first responders, followed by a condensed Mental Health Advocate Training that teaches participants how to recognize signs of stress, trauma, grief, and emotional distress, reduce stigma, and confidently connect individuals with appropriate mental health resources. Following the training, volunteers will immediately put their new skills into action by assembling and preparing Calm & Care Kits containing self-care items, encouraging messages, and local mental health resources. Volunteers will write handwritten notes of appreciation, organize resource packets, and help distribute the kits to veterans, first responders, seniors, and community members experiencing isolation or emotional hardship. This project honors the legacy of 9/11 by transforming remembrance into meaningful service, creating new Mental Health Advocates while providing tangible support and hope to individuals throughout our community.