New York, NY - Given the tragedy in the city and the impact on children and families, the Children's Museum of Manhattan (CMOM) will open for free on the weekend of September 15 and 16 and provide programs for children to talk about their feelings.

The museum will endeavor to have trauma specialists on hand. Museum educators will work with families in the art room, in the Time Warner Media Center and the performance center to help children express their feelings and to be able to discuss them with others.

All police and fire fighters and their families will be admitted free indefinitely.

This will be one of the few venues where families can seek a joint experience.

CMOM would embrace working with other agencies and museums across the city.

Any help from the Department of Cultural Affairs to liaison with the Department of Health, the Board of Education or other city agencies would be greatly appreciated.

CMOM hopes to be able to provide free services to as many people in the Manhattan area and beyond as long as it is needed. Andy Ackerman, President of CMOM, noted that everyone at CMOM is determined to do more. They want to be open for free so that kids and their families can come together to try and get their lives back to normal. Anyone interested in supporting CMOM in their efforts please email acm@childrensmuseums.org.