Inner Resilience Program: Mindfulness After 9/11

How Mindfulness Helped After 9/11

Following the tragic events of September 11, 2001, educator Linda Lantieri recognized the profound impact the trauma was having on students and teachers in New York City. In response, she developed the Inner Resilience Program—a groundbreaking mindfulness initiative designed to support emotional recovery.

Key Program Achievements

• 6,000+ educators trained in trauma-informed mindfulness techniques
• 3,000+ parents equipped with coping strategies
• 40,000+ students benefited from emotional resilience tools

The program created safe spaces in classrooms, including dedicated "peace corners" where children could practice self-regulation techniques.

How You Can Support This Work

Until December 15, 2014, all donations to the Inner Resilience Program were matched by the 1440 Foundation, doubling the impact of contributions. While this specific campaign has ended, the program continues its important work.

Learn More About Trauma-Informed Education

For deeper insights into Lantieri's innovative approach:

1. Read the original feature in Mindful magazine's October 2014 issue
2. Explore current mindfulness programs for schools
3. Research trauma-informed teaching strategies

Photo: Carolina Kroon

The Lasting Impact of Mindful Education

This pioneering work demonstrated how mindfulness can:

• Help communities heal after collective trauma
• Provide teachers with essential emotional tools
• Create supportive learning environments

The Inner Resilience Program remains a model for addressing emotional needs in educational settings.