The field of international psychosocial response to disaster and massive violence has much to contribute to an understanding of the social impact of the September 1 terrorist attacks and subsequent events in New York City. The author presents lessons learned from his experience in Kosovo and other international contexts that have been applied to promoting collective recovery in the his own Ground Zero community in lower Manhattan. Programs that promote healing in trauma-affected communities may contain a number of themes. First, they bring people together to promote positive connections as a foundation for social support, education and access to existing resources. Second, these programs can provide opportunities for people to organize their experience and emotions and tell their stories in ways that can be affirmed by the community. Third, these programs can facilitate conversations, which shift the focus from stressful experiences and haunting memories to affirmation of strengths, problem-solving and positive visions of the future. And, fourth, people can come together to reaffirm their connection to nature, spirit, the seasons, holidays and other events, which are life-affirming and growth-promoting. One of the challenges faced has been the shifting of the dominant discourse of institutions and funders from one that focuses primarily upon a medicalized view of psychological trauma to one that recognizes and enhances the inherent strengths and resilience of individuals, families, communities and cultures to recover from such events.‬