Press Release: CVNL Honors 20th Anniversary of 9/11 in Partnership with Firefighter Youth Academy - Center for Volunteer & Nonprofit Leadership

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 1, 2021

Media Contacts:
Katelyn Willoughby-Bagley Director, Marketing & Communications
415.448.0330, kwilloughby@cvnl.org

Linda Jacobs, CEO
415.479.5710 x300, ljacobs@cvnl.org

Solano County, CA, 2021 – For 60 years, Center for Volunteer & Nonprofit Leadership (CVNL) has worked with local nonprofits, leaders, and volunteers to help them elevate their impact and volunteer efforts. To commemorate the 20^th Anniversary of 9/11, CVNL, in partnership with Youth Service America, has designed a series of service projects and educational opportunities: “11 Days of Remembrance.”

In Solano County, CVNL’s Solano Volunteers is partnering with The Firefighter Youth Academy, a youth development and mentoring program born out of the experience of everyday professional firefighters in Richmond, California. It provides life guidance and career exploration for youth who are at risk of social, academic, and economic challenges. The Academy is a project of Solutions For At Risk Youth (SFARY), whose goal is to prepare youth for college or a career in the fire service as firefighters or paramedics.

In 1991, the members of the Richmond Black Professional Firefighters Association (RBPFFA) noticed a disturbing trend of violence in the community. As firefighters in urban environments, they responded to increasing numbers of medical emergencies that resulted from acts of violence. Far too often, it was young African-American males who were both the perpetrators and the victims of violence, suffering serious injury and death.

“Either career track will require a significant improvement in the individual’s academic performance,” said Captain Byron Berhel, former RBPFFA President.

“As first responders, firefighters have a chance to build on the community’s trust and feel an obligation to prevent future violence.”

At this time, the idea of the Firefighter Youth Academy was born. The academy’s purpose is simple: to share the firefighting career and provide professional guidance and life skills to young teenagers. The program is also supported by Captain Ron Williams, and Fire Chief Floyd Cormier Jr.

The academy started by using a retired fire station located in the City of Richmond, and depends on partners like the Richmond Fire Department, educators, and the faith-based community to provide the program free of charge to the community’s youth. SFARY is committed to helping “cadets” achieve desired academic outcomes.

On 9/11, this commitment will be demonstrated in a virtual event where cadets will engage in a Stair Climb as a way for firefighters and the community to honor and remember the FDNY firefighters who selflessly gave their lives so that others might live: a total of 90 floors.

While not open to the public for safety reasons, the local Climb will be filmed and available for public viewing on public access TV, as well as on YouTube, and FB, and Instagram.

CVNL Solano Volunteers is proud to underwrite this effort and provide commemorative pins to cadets, along with breakfast on Saturday morning.

“Honoring the 20th anniversary of this moment in our nation’s history by serving in your community helps transform 9/11 into a day of unity, empathy, and service,” said Rhonda Smith, Program Coordinator, Solano Volunteers, CVNL. “By participating in 11 Days of Remembrance, we pay tribute to those lost and injured on 9/11/01, and to the many who rose in service in response to the attacks, including first responders, recovery workers, volunteers, and members of our military.”

About CVNL’s 9/11 Days of Service & Remembrance for Youth:

Starting on September 1st, 2021, and leading up to September 11th, youth are encouraged to participate in 11 Days of Remembrance. Each day has an activity where individuals can deepen their understanding of the ongoing impact of 9/11.

A total of 412 first responders died on 9/11, comprised of 340 firefighters and 72 police officers. The total number of casualties of the aftermath of the attack will likely, tragically, rise: Over 1,100 9/11 first responders have been diagnosed with cancer directly linked to the dust and air quality after the terror attacks.

For some Americans, 9/11 remains a vivid memory. Ten years later, 97% of Americans eight (8) or older at the time could remember exactly where they were when they heard the news, according to a 2011 survey by the Pew Research Center.

For some young people, however, 9/11 is a subject learned secondhand.

While activities are appropriate for people and groups of all ages, local youth are encouraged to get involved: in doing so, CVNL and its partners hope they will experience the significance of this historic anniversary.

Youth begin their service by completing a lesson and reflection exercise, created by Lead4Change. This sets the framework for core activities – from creating greeting cards for veterans, to making gratitude rocks –encouraging youth to share their experiences via photos, hashtags, and storytelling along the way.

All activities can be explored here, https://www.volunteernow.org/national-days-of-service, and are in virtual formats to help youth engage safely. Activities help build awareness of 9/11, while supporting veterans and first responders who have unique needs. Activities are generously funded by Youth Service America and the Charles Moss Foundation.

The entire community can join in the conversation by using #CVNL911Day and #911Day on social media.

This Day of Service is especially important given the current climate in the Middle East and as troops slowly return to the U.S. with various needs in the “new normal.”

To learn more, or get involved and sign up/share activities, visit https://bit.ly/CVNL911DAY.

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About CVNL: For over 50 years, CVNL has advanced nonprofits and volunteerism by strengthening leadership, encouraging innovation, and empowering individuals in their communities. Passion alone isn’t enough when it comes to creating strong nonprofits. That’s why we work with aspiring and established leaders and volunteers every day to help them build the skills and connections that can take their impact to the next level. Together we offer comprehensive programs that support nonprofits and volunteers including training, executive search, customized consulting solutions, volunteer services, and corporate engagement. Heart of Marin™, Heart of Napa™, and Heart of Sonoma County™ events support nonprofits of every size and mission through recognition and cash awards. Other programs and services include the Sonoma Human Race, Secret Santa, Court Referral Program, and Volunteer Wheels. We provide disaster preparedness training and serve as an Emergency Volunteer Center (EVC), overseeing spontaneous volunteers and donations for Napa, Marin, Solano, and Sonoma Counties in the aftermath of a disaster. We believe that with confident and prepared leaders and volunteers, our nonprofits will be better equipped to create healthy, happy communities. Visit www.cvnl.org to discover more.

About The Firefighter Youth Academy: A project of Solutions For At Risk Youth (SFARY), a California 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that promotes social justice and public safety. SFARY’s mission is to provide youth development programs, resources, and opportunities to socio-economically distressed and under-served communities. We seek to revitalize and strengthen communities by developing and empowering youth. Our organization consists of fire service professionals, educators, and youth development practioners. Our immediate objective is to research, identify, and provide the human, financial, and technical resources to implement the Firefighter Youth Academy in urban communities that have higher concentrations of low-income residents and at-risk youth.

About Youth Service America: Youth Service America believes that youth, communities, and democracy thrive when we all work together for the common good. YSA is a leading global nonprofit that activates young people, ages 5-25, to find their voice, take action, and acquire powerful civic and 21st Century skills as they solve problems facing their communities. YSA supports its activation campaigns (Days of Service and ServiceVote) with grants, training and resources, and recognition programs for young people and their adult champions. Youth-led projects use Awareness, Service, Advocacy, and Philanthropy (ASAP) strategies to meet community needs.