Empowering survivors, building resilience, and preventing violence by connecting those affected by terrorism and mass violence for peer support and lasting change. We endeavor to provide compassion and support to individuals and families who have suffered injuries or lost love ones within a few weeks of their trauma, at a time when the full weight of a new reality can be overwhelming. Our foundation recognizes the importance of connecting with a community composed of caring individuals that have themselves been impacted by trauma and whom have navigated the complex labyrinth of physical and emotional recovery. The One World Strong organization was created by survivors of the Boston Marathon bombings as a way to help others dealing with traumatic injuries suffered as a result of man-made disasters. The inspiration for One World Strong was the critical support and mentorship we ourselves experienced in our darkest hours. In the days following the marathon bombings, a group of Veterans injured in Iraq and Afghanistan, members of the Semper Fi Fund, felt compelled to visit Boston survivors to provide a very unique form of guidance and encouragement. The Veteran Semper Fi Fund representatives were matched with survivors having similar injuries to help illuminate the path forward and the possibility of a positive future. The relationships that ensued allowed many of the marathon survivors to move through the healing process, both physically and emotionally, in a much more efficient and effective way. We are deeply grateful for the support we received and recognize that we now have the very unique ability to provide this invaluable support to others. As an organization, we work closely with other survivors and healthcare experts within the Boston, 9/11, London’s 7/7 and the Newtown/Sandy Hook communities. Working together, we are able to deploy a resource team composed of survivors from these communities to areas within the US and around the globe to meet with those recently effected by traumatic events. We utilize personal visits, secure private networks and social media to establish interpersonal connections and provide ongoing support throughout the recovery and healing process. We strive to unite and heal in the face of division and harm. We want others to know that they are never alone. We encourage survivors like ourselves to always find a way to move forward and to never give up. Together, we can be One World Strong.
