All of us at ACCESS have survived our losses. We are living proof that others can survive too.
We are here for you!
• We provide comfort and bereavement support through common understanding and shared experience by partnering survivors those who have lost loved ones in air disasters with trained Volunteer Grief Mentors who have been through a similar experience.
• We provide sensitivity training presentations and workshops to companies, agencies and airlines who work with those affected by aviation disasters.
• We provide consulting services to companies and airlines that respond to individuals affected by air disasters
Volunteer Grief Mentoring
The ACCESS Volunteer Grief Mentor Program has over 250 trained Volunteer Grief Mentors who have survived or lost loved ones in air disasters. We match our volunteers with individuals experiencing similar tragedies, matching mothers to mothers, spouses to spouses, siblings to siblings, survivors to survivors, orphans to orphans and other relationships lost. Our volunteers provide firsthand knowledge about what to expect in the days, months, and years to come.
I appreciate the sincerity and caring of ACCESS. My mentor, Helen lost her twin daughters and has helped me work through this. I am stronger than I was last year. It helps knowing that I am not alone.
– Mary-Louise White lost her only daughter, Elizabeth Wainio, 27, aboard United Flight 93 on 9/11/01
Resources
Immediately following an air disaster there are numerous organizations surrounding those affected by the crash to provide help and support. In all the confusion it is not always clear what information can be relied upon and what the role of each group is.
ACCESS offers a wealth of information services to the bereaved:
• A list of common emotional experiences that those affected by this specific type of loss face, based on original research and data derived from those who have themselves survived or lost loved ones in air disasters and who have called ACCESS for help
• A list of national organizations that respond to those affected by air disasters
• An up to date list of air disaster organizations responding to a specific crash
• A listing of government agencies and bereavement organizations
• A comprehensive reading list consisting of books recommended by those who have survived and lost loved ones in air disasters
• Support Services Guide pinpoints the roles, purpose, abilities, and time schedule of each organization. It includes listings of appropriate government agencies and other important resources as well as helpful written materials for dealing with grief.
