Sept. 11 motivates woman to help others in Newtown

Amanda Gregory, like so many others, is touched and reminded of the events of 9/11. That is the day she lost her father. The school shooting at the Newtown Sandy Hook Elementary School stirred her feelings of grief like nothing since that fateful day 13 years ago.

Gregory, 32, who lives just 40 minutes away from Newtown has found some measure of comfort by volunteering through the nonprofit organization, Tuesday’s Child. The organization, like a handful of others, works with those left devastated by 9/11 as well as the families affected by the school shooting that claimed 26 innocent lives.

Losing her father in such a tragic and unexpected way left her dealing with grief and other emotions. While much of the time that followed that experience was a blur, Gregory knew she wanted to be a vessel for healing. When she watched with horror the events unfolding in Connecticut, her desire to help was bolstered even more.

She recalls that she broke down because she understood what the friends and families of the victims were feeling. Her heart was breaking for the families touched so horrifically by this act of human violence. Her purpose was to let them know there are others who understand what they are going through and that even though healing takes time, there is hope.

Today Gregory is a junior board member with Tuesdays’ Child. Her work with the organization is helping raise funds for the Resiliency Center of Newtown, an organization launched last year with the assistance of Tuesday’s Child. It aims to help the community deal with the unspeakable tragedy that rocked its very foundation.

Stephanie Cinque is the founder and executive director of Resiliency Center of Newtown. She lives in the community and decided they could use the help Tuesday’s Child in setting up a similar resource. Though the tragic events these two towns experienced are very different, they do share similarities.

Cinque, a certified social worker, has overseen the operation and watched as it has helped 700-800 people in the community through art, play and music therapy. It offers support groups and socialization through sporting and other events.

The workshop Creative Insight has had the most impact. Run by two women who lost loved ones on Sept. 11, it helps strengthen the bonds between those who’ve suffered an immeasurable loss like the people of Newton have.

The center is helping the community heal because it is a safe place for those who have been shattered by the violence of others. The shared experience helps people hold on and learn to trust again.