Jillian Crane, President and CEO of First Responders Children’s Foundation (center in red), is joined by Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) Commissioner Laura Kavanaugh (to Ms. Crane’s left), FDNY Chaplain Ann Kansfeld,  New York City Police Department (NYPD) representative Lieutenant Terrance Smalls, and Port Authority Police Department (PAPD) representative Lieutenant Michael Sangiorgi  at the opening bell of NASDAQ this morning. FRCF founder and Chairman Al Kahn is pictured on Ms. Crane’s right. Thursday is International Firefighters Day, and May is Mental Health Awareness Month in the U.S. (photo credit: NASDAQ)

“We know there’s a mental health crisis in this country, and the children of first responders are at a heightened risk,” Ms. Crane said. “We have seen first hand how being a parent in the line of duty can manifest mental health concerns in their children in the form of anxiety, depression, and substance abuse. First Responders Children’s Foundation is committed to being there for the children of first responders nationwide, not only through our Resiliency program, but also through Scholarships, Financial Hardship Grants and Bereavement Assistance. We also have community engagement programs, which build positive and long-lasting relationships between first responder agencies and the communities they serve. First responders face more uncertainty than ever, and they risk their lives for their communities every day. We invite you to join us in our mission by visiting 1stRCf.org, to learn more.”

FRCF was founded more than 22 years ago in response to September 11th when 800 children lost a first responder parent.

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