"While great progress has been made in the physical rebuilding process after 9/11, many individuals and families continue to cope with emotional and financial challenges," said Evan Greenberg, president and chief executive officer of Ace Limited.

Mr. Greenberg said, "World Vision and September Space are working to address these issues while also promoting peace of mind through disaster preparedness initiatives. We hope our support will continue these critical healing processes and empower people to move forward with confidence."

September Space-World Cares Center Inc. is a New York City community center established after the attacks. The facility received $526,000 from Ace to support its PERCS (Plan, Educate, Respond, Collaborate, Support) disaster preparedness program.

The PERCS program prepares volunteers for the emotional impact of disaster response and also provides support and services to volunteers during and after a disaster.

Ace noted that more than 100,000 volunteers responded to the 9/11 attacks, many of whom were unprepared for the devastation and continue to face mental health issues.

Through the PERCS program, September Space seeks to provide training and support for volunteers, rescue workers and survivors, and to minimize the traumatic emotional impact of future disasters on the volunteer community.

World Vision, a global relief and development organization, received $461,000 from Ace to support the second phase of its Storehouse project in New York City.

Last year, Ace awarded $500,000 to World Vision to establish The Storehouse, a facility in the Bronx that distributes clothing, personal care items and school supplies to children and families in need.

The new grant will provide continued support for The Storehouse, including the expansion of the teachers' resource center and the emergency response program.

In addition, Ace said its funds will establish a building materials program that will provide local community groups with resources to repair, renovate and build affordable housing and community facilities in New York City.

The building materials program will benefit 60 community partners serving approximately 6,000 families, including some who continue to face economic hardships resulting from the Sept. 11, 2001 tragedy, such as loss of a parent or spouse, unemployment and/or loss of income.

Ace said more than 90,000 schoolchildren and 12,000 families are expected to benefit from Storehouse programs in fiscal 2005.

Ace announced in September 2001 that it would provide a total of $5 million over five years to organizations aiding individuals and families affected by the terrorist attacks in New York, Washington, D.C. and Pennsylvania.

Previous recipients of the fund were the American Red Cross (2001); the Greater New York and New Jersey Divisions of The Salvation Army (2002); and World Vision and The Coalition of Voluntary Mental Health Agencies Inc. (January 2004).

The Ace Group of Companies has more than 4,000 employees in offices throughout the United States, including New York.