Tuesday's Children Travels to Austin, TX With 9/11 Teens for Habitat for Humanity Build

MANHASSET, N.Y., Feb. 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Tuesday's Children, a 9/11 family service organization, in partnership with Habitat for Humanity, is bringing 17 young adults this week to Austin, TX,  to help build homes for families less fortunate with their "Helping Heals" program. These teens, all of whom suffered the loss of a family member on September 11th, will work on the construction of multiple homes. Tuesday's Children's Director of Teen Programs Kathy Murphy said, "These young adults are an inspiration to the Austin community showing by example that they understand the value and necessity of giving back and by doing so, continue to heal themselves."  Tuesday's Children's "Helping Heals" initiative provides international, domestic and local community service programs for both teens and adults impacted by the events of September 11, 2001.

These teenagers have not forgotten how family, friends and the nation reached out to them in their time of need.  The "Helping Heals" program gives them the opportunity to "pay it forward" by helping others. As Max Arczynski, 18, from Stowe, Vermont poignantly shared, "We're here in Austin helping others rebuild their future which gives us the opportunity to rebuild ourselves."  The build will last through Thursday, with the remaining days of the trip to include a visit to the Texas State Capital, the Texas History Museum, downtown Austin for the well-known music scene, and a tour of the University of Texas campus.

Tuesday's Children's "Helping Heals" programs have tremendous benefits. Research indicates that by giving something back to the community, individuals take a significant step toward improving mental health. Experts agree that those who engage in volunteer work experience a significant improvement in emotional well-being, self-esteem, self-worth and self-efficacy. Volunteers develop a greater sense of purpose in life, achieve increased mastery over their lives, and experience improved life satisfaction.

To lose a parent under any circumstances is truly tragic. For the children of September 11th, the sudden and violent nature of their loss has become the overwhelming and defining characteristic of their lives. "Helping Heals" is just one of the many valuable programs Tuesday's Children continues to provide for the families of September 11, 2001. For a full list of the organization's programs and services, please visit www.tuesdayschildren.org.

About Tuesday's Children
Tuesday's Children is a non-profit family service organization that has made a long-term commitment to every individual who was directly impacted by the events of September 11, 2001 and more recently those who have been impacted by terrorist incidents worldwide. For more information about Tuesday's Children and its "Helping Heals" program, contact Kathy Murphy at [email protected], call 516-562-9000, or visit www.tuesdayschildren.org.

SOURCE Tuesday's Children