What you should know
- Sydney Hassenbein and Charlie Dubofsky were never friends until an unthinkable tragedy brought them together.
- In February 2023, Charlie’s father died in a car accident. The then Roslyn High School freshman said she was devastated and that she felt alone, not being able to talk to other people who she felt understood her.
- Sydney says the message was appreciated because it came from someone who knew firsthand how she felt. The two found comfort in their shared pain and realized they wanted to help other teenagers. They founded Project HERO
NEW YORK — Sydney Hassenbein and Charlie Dubofsky were never friends until an unthinkable tragedy brought them together.
In February 2023, Charlie’s father died in a car accident. The then Roslyn High School freshman said she was devastated and that she felt alone, not being able to talk to other people who she felt understood her.
“I felt very bad and very unclear about the future,” Charlie said. “And how would I move forward?”
A few months later, Sydney’s brother Drew was killed in a horrific wrong-way accident. Her friend and teammate Ethan Falkowitz was also murdered; Two other friends were injured but survived.
The driver of the other vehicle was allegedly drunk and high on cocaine. Sydney told NBC New York that she was having trouble accepting his pain.
“It all comes from sadness, emptiness and loneliness in your heart, you are trying to fill a void that cannot be filled,” he explained.
Charlie approached Sydney after Drew was killed and the two became friends.
“I texted him and told him I know what you’re going through,” Charlie said. “And I know how difficult it is.”
Sydney says the message was appreciated because it came from someone who knew firsthand how she felt. The two found comfort in their shared pain and realized they wanted to help other teenagers. They founded Project HERO
“It’s an acronym,” Charlie explained. “It means honoring, empathizing, remembering and moving forward, because we’re going to do all those things.”
They took their idea to the Sid Jacobson Jewish Community Center, who provided space and counselors. The first meeting was in January, attended by more than a dozen teens, including sisters who experienced a recent loss.
“The impact of not being able to talk about these emotions can have a real change in the future of their lives,” said Taylor Graf, vice president of JCC Specialized Services and licensed clinical social worker. “Now, thanks to Charlie and Sydney, we have a safe space for teens to talk about their sadness.”
The girls shared with the group how they cope when things get bad. Sydney still texts Drew when she misses him.
“I’ll just send him a text telling him how I feel, what I think of him. “I know I’m not going to get an answer, but it makes me feel like I still have some kind of connection with him,” she said.
Project HERO meets monthly and is open to all teens seeking help, not just JCC members. The girls advertise the group on social media to make it accessible to everyone their age.
2024-02-03 03:04:16
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