Our Programs Project Common Bond Program Details
Project COMMON BOND
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They arrived at Queen's University in Belfast as strangers, yet, even before a word was spoken among them, these 65 teenagers from around the world were already united by a common bond. Each had lost a family member to a senseless act of terrorism – some from opposing sides of the same conflict.
Young adults (ages 15 to 20 years) from Argentina, Israel, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Palestine, Spain and the United States came together for Project COMMON BOND, an eight-day camp designed to build conflict resolution and communication skills. Participants engaged in programs designed to foster trust, cooperation, communication, transformation and healing in the areas of global leadership, arts, theater, music and sports. In 2010, the core program was designed by Harvard University Law School Negotiation and Mediation Clinical Program.
Not without its lighter side, the young adults also had the chance to cut loose at a rambunctious Camp Olympics, a talent show, and an exuberant dance and pizza party. The culturally rich and beautiful country of Northern Ireland was the perfect environment for participants to build a common bond and create a lifetime of memories with friends from around the world. |
Video from Project COMMON BOND 2010 - Belfast Northern Ireland
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About
About Project COMMON BOND
Project COMMON BOND brings together select teenagers from around the world who share a common bond of personal loss due to terrorism. The program provides a week long opportunity for healing through community and a forum for a dialogue of hope and change. Our programs include conflict resolution and peace building, leadership training, mentoring, life management and social action programs adressing family and inidividual needs at each and every stage of life and recovery.
To date, 76 teenagers from
Project COMMON BOND 2010 has partnered with
SUMMARY OF PROJECT COMMON BOND PROGRAM COMPONENTS:
• One week camp experience including discussion and dialogue groups, global awareness and leadership programs, collaborative projects, team sports, music, fine arts and adventure challenges
• Opportunities for diverse cultural experiences and international travel
• Participation in workshops and seminars to be held in diverse geographic areas
• To further enhance and broaden the impact of the program, a dedicated website and secure blog is available so our participants can have an ongoing connection.
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Background
Background
For children whose lives have been directly touched by terrorism, the sudden, violent, and public nature of their loss becomes an overwhelming and defining characteristic of their lives. As reported by the US National Counterterrorism Center, the incidence of terrorism targeting civilians is increasing rather than decreasing. Since 2000, the rate has greatly expanded throughout the world, drastically increasing the number of families, including children, experiencing loss and disability. Incidents in Israel, Spain, Ireland, and England, and numerous countries in Africa and Asia have resulted in the killing or injuring thousands of civilians, changing families forever.
These children, in many cases, remain isolated. Creating community with peers who share common experiences is a powerful tool for healing and positive growth, especially for young people. The lack of community building forums after 9/11 inspired Tuesday’s Children to seize an opportunity to develop programs which created community for families and children thereby improving their attitudes, awareness, and coping ability.
The idea for Project COMMON BOND came from our own experience and knowledge of the 9/11 adolescent population along with extensive research in collaboration with mental health experts and family members who have actively participated in Tuesday’s Children’s programs and services for the past eight and a half years. Wanting to reach out to others worldwide who have experienced a similar loss and common “bond,” Tuesday’s Children created an international community fostering positive personal growth and community action.
In 2008, Tuesday’s Children created Project COMMON BOND, the first international community for teenagers who lost a family member due to a terrorist incident. Project COMMON BOND offers an opportunity to heal while developing friendships and understanding.The project revolves around an ongoing community of support and understanding of impacted youths, both in the United States and abroad, which culminates in a one week camp experience. Piloted at Bryn Mawr College, Project COMMON BOND has exceeded all expectations.
Who
Who
Project COMMON BOND is designed for teenagers worldwide, male and female, ages 15-20, who have lost a family member due to a terrorist attack. All faiths and cultures are welcome.
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What
What
Project COMMON BOND is a unique international initiative to bring together teenagers from across the globe, who have lost an immediate family member in an act of terrorism, to enhance their lives and the lives of others.
The initiative builds upon, and is a logical extension of, the successful Tuesday’s Children methodology for helping children who have lost a loved one to terrorism to heal and reach their full potential. Developed for the children of 9/11 and implemented over seven years in the United States, this model is reproduced for children worldwide who have been affected by acts of terrorism. Tuesday’s Children’s skilled service delivery experts design and direct the Project’s activities, with active engagement from the organization’s experienced program partners.
In 2008, Project COMMON BOND brought together teenagers from England, Israel, Liberia, Northern Ireland, Spain and the United States for a week-long community-building experience. Participants engaged in activities designed to foster healing, trust, cooperation and communication by working together in global leadership activities, arts, music, theater and sports programs; and take part in meaningful community service. For the past two years Project COMMON BOND has taken place on the campus of Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania during the first week in August. Tuesday’s Children is expanding the program in scope and reach.
The goals as we defined them prior to the program were:
• Provide opportunities for personal and collective healing
• Acknowledge and respect differences through dialogue
• Promote friendship, understanding and tolerance
• Build upon the “Common Bond” through interactive activities and community service project
• Foster resilience and strength in the participants and illuminate the steps toward a united and brighter worldwide future.
Project COMMON BOND exceeded our expectations in every way. As a result of attending Project Common Bond:
• 100% of those attending enjoyed getting to know new people.
• 87 % improved in their ability to cooperate with others.
• 92% learned to value and appreciate the differences in people.
• 87% better understood other people’s perspectives and opinions.
Project COMMON BOND is a long-term initiative that builds community over time. The connection established in summer 2008 will continue beyond the initial camp experience with these enhancements:
• An online secure forum/blog monitored and maintained by Tuesday’s Children for participants to continue dialogue.
• International internet seminars, hosted by our global partners, so that participants can further explore ways in which they can contribute positively to their changing world.
Partners
Project COMMON BOND Partners
Project COMMON BOND Supporters
- The American
- Associacion De Ayuda A Las
- Bloomberg Foundation
- Douglas Ellenoff, Esq.
- Flax Trust
- Gristmill Foundation
- Jacob Marley Foundation
- Koby Mandell Foundation
- Manhasset Community Fund
- Mr. and Mrs. John Powers
- S.A.V.E.R./N.A.V.E.R
- Mr. Aidan Smyth
- Mr. John C. Whitehead
Program Partners
Project COMMON BOND works with respected organizations in nations affected by terrorism that help the young adults who have experienced loss. In addition to family support organizations that screen and select appropriate adolescents, program partners consist of Project COMMON BOND's curriculum providers.
- Adelphi University
- Beslan Relief Fund
- Coleman Raider International
- Feel the Music
- International Foundation for Terror Act Victims
- International Sociey of Traumatic Stress Studies
- Mother’s of Beslan
- New York State Psychiatric Institute
- Parent Circle,
- Russian Children’s Welfare Society
- S.A.V.E.R./N.A.V.E.R.,
- The World Foundation of Music and Healing
- Youth Peace-Builder Network
Our Special ThanksTo:
- Andrew Donovan, Justine Deighan, Lauren Michael, James Young, Joseph Dussich ...
- Giants Foundation, Jamie Krotz, Rachel Hollingsworth, Lauren Fischetti, Anthony Andrianopoulos ...
- Grace Catti, Craig Leshen, Danielle Colamartino, George Javian, Daniel Mazzeo, ...
- Estelle Posa, Helen Thomas-Williams, Sarah Hanner ...
- Samuel Shuster, Anthony Yoon, Jennifer Kreischer, Sharon Harper ...
- Salvatore DiLorenzo, Paige Champagne, Patrick Hamlin, Hugh O'Kane Electric ...
- Tina Guarracino, Neil Supply Co., Kevin Colbert, Adam Casey, Ryan Fox, Deborah Roback ...
- Michael Kohlbrenner, Janice DeLuca, Suzanne Countryman, Kenneth Siegel, Margaret Labenski ...
Our Programs Project Common Bond Program Details