named programs · 8 · from sources
What they call their work
Aaron Clark Peer Support Team
Provides peer-to-peer support for FDNY firefighters, veterans, and first responders, emphasizing trust, shared experience, and informal connection.
Cancer Support
Specialized coaching for firefighters navigating cancer diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship, led by a credentialed and experienced cancer survivor coach.
Firehouse Kitchen Talk
Monthly evening gathering featuring dinner and discussions on issues affecting firefighters, led by community voices and retired firefighters.
Individual Counseling
Confidential counseling services for individuals, families, couples, and adolescents addressing trauma, anxiety, depression, and relationship issues.
Life Coaching
One-on-one coaching to help firefighters set goals and overcome obstacles related to health, career, and life purpose.
Marriage Counseling
Supports FDNY couples in improving communication and strengthening relationships through licensed counselors.
On the Arm Breakfast
Monthly breakfast event for active and retired FDNY members to build community, share stories, and connect in a relaxed, firehouse-style setting.
The Bravest Children
Children’s program designed to support FDNY family members by building resilience, communication skills, and emotional well-being in a safe environment.
activities · 7 groups
What they do
-
Community Event Fundraising 1 activity
- Annual events to build community and raise awarenessOrganizes annual events including a summer chili cook-off that brings together firefighters, families, firehouse chefs, and supporters for food, competition, and fundraising, and an honor ride that unites first responders, survivors, and supporters to raise funds and awareness for the FDNY community.
-
-
Cancer Peer Support & Wellness Programs 1 activity
- Life and cancer coaching for FDNY community membersProvides life coaching to help FDNY community members navigate health, career, and life-purpose challenges by identifying strengths and creating future plans; also offers specialized one-on-one cancer coaching led by a credentialed coach and cancer survivor to support individuals through diagnosis, treatment, recovery, and survivorship with focus on resilience and decision-making clarity.
-
-
Organized Member Social Events 1 activity
- Monthly community engagement programs for FDNY firefightersHosts recurring in-person gatherings including a monthly breakfast program on the second Wednesday of each month at the Red Hook firehouse and an evening Firehouse Kitchen Talk series, offering opportunities for active and retired firefighters to connect, share experiences, and discuss community-relevant issues over meals.
-
-
Mental Health Education and Awareness 1 activity
- Outreach to FDNY firehousesConducts outreach visits to all New York City firehouses twice per year, engaging approximately 10,000 FDNY members to promote mental health and wellness resources and strengthen connections within the department.
-
-
Peer-Led Mental Health Support Groups 1 activity
- Peer support programs for FDNY firefightersOffers one-on-one peer support to active and retired FDNY firefighters through trained peers, providing a confidential and relatable channel for emotional and psychological support within the fire service community.
-
-
Direct Mental Health Counseling and Support Services 1 activity
- Provision of confidential mental health and wellness services to FDNY members and familiesProvides free, confidential mental health counseling and wellness services—including individual, family, couple, child, and adolescent therapy—for active and retired FDNY firefighters and EMS personnel, addressing trauma, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, retirement adjustment, and other challenges. Services are delivered in person or via telehealth through licensed counselors, with no out-of-pocket costs beyond insurance co-pays.
-
-
Youth Development Programs 1 activity
- Support programs for children in the FDNY communityOperates The Bravest Children program, which provides a safe and engaging group environment for children in the FDNY community to express emotions and build resilience through structured activities.
-
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$1.48M
Contributions & grants$1.20M81%
Program service revenue$100K7%
Investment income$50%
Other revenue$180K
expenses
Total expenses$1.37M
Program expenses72%
Admin / overhead20%
Fundraising9%
Salaries & benefits$787K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$367K
Cash$147K
Investments$0
Liabilities$203K
Net assets$164K
Liquid reserves1.3 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +132.5%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nancy Carbone | Executive Dir. | 40 | $95K |
board members · 9
- Andrea Mandell — Vice Chair
- Arturo Grant — Director
- Damian Echevarrieta — Director
- Daniel Nigro — Chairperson
- Daniel Prince — Treasurer
- Joshua Calacanis — Director
- Larry Amsel — Director
- Mark Tower — Secretary
- Michael Barasch — Director
relationships · 10
Who they work with
- Boston Fire Cancer Foundation Partner — Participates as a designated funding beneficiary through Friends of Firefighters in the Ride for Resilience event.
- EMS FDNY Help Fund Partner — Collaborates with Friends of Firefighters Inc. to support mental health services for FDNY EMS members through the EMS Hotline and counseling access.
- FDNY Government — Primary beneficiary population consists of active and retired FDNY firefighters and their families.
- FDNY Government — While separate from Friends of Firefighters, the FDNY supports the organization's mission.
- FDNY Partner — Primary population served through firehouse visits and participation in FDNY-affiliated events.
- FDNY Partner — Provides peer support programs for active and retired members of the FDNY.
- Fire Department of New York (FDNY) Partner — Organization formed in response to FDNY members' service and sacrifice on September 11, 2001, serving FDNY firefighters and their families.
- Hands on Health Associates Partner — Provides confidential mental health services to FDNY EMS members and their families in partnership with Friends of Firefighters Inc.
- International Coaching Federation Partner — Credentialed the organization's cancer coach
- Livestrong Partner — Collaborates with Friends of Firefighters on the Ride for Resilience fundraising event.
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Confidential, Low-Barrier Access Modelmethodology: confidential_access_modelBy offering immediate, confidential, and flexible mental health care with cost coverage and family inclusion, we increase sustained treatment utilization because reducing structural and social barriers aligns with the operational realities and privacy needs of firefighters and EMS personnel.
- Firehouse-Centered Relationship Modelmethodology: relationship-based_outreachBy replicating the trusted, informal environment of a firehouse kitchen and conducting relationship-based outreach at firehouses and FDNY events, we build accessibility and trust, because familiarity and cultural congruence lower barriers to engagement in mental health services.
- Lived Experience Integrationmethodology: lived-experience_integrationBy integrating professional service delivery with lived experience—such as employing a cancer survivor as a cancer coach—we enhance empathy, credibility, and client engagement because clients perceive greater authenticity and understanding in their support providers.
- Peer-Led Trauma Support Modelmethodology: peer_supportBy leveraging shared lived experience and peer relationships, we improve mental health outcomes among firefighters because trust and professional identity alignment reduce stigma and increase help-seeking behavior. This approach specifically addresses trauma-related symptoms like hyper-vigilance and emotional shutdown through informal, credible support channels.