Host Jeremy C. Park interviews Jillian Crane, President and CEO of First Responders Children’s Foundation, who shares the organization’s 25-year history and mission to support children of first responders, including their national expansion of programs and services. She discusses her background transitioning from serving on the board to actively leading the foundation and highlights their key initiatives, including scholarships, emergency hardship grants, mental health programs, and community engagement activities. Jillian emphasizes the importance of supporting first responder families and encourages viewers to get involved through donations, volunteering, and following the foundation’s activities on social media platforms.
Summary
First Responders Children’s Foundation Overview – Jillian Crane, President and CEO of First Responders Children’s Foundation, discusses the organization’s 25-year history and its mission to support children of first responders. Jillian explains how the foundation was established in 2001 in response to the World Trade Center attacks, initially focusing on the tri-state area to provide scholarships and host annual events for first responder families. Over the years, the organization has expanded to become a national nonprofit organization, offering various programs to support children of police officers, firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, and other first responders.
First Responder Advocate’s Journey – Jillian shares her background, transitioning from an acting career to joining the board, where she became president of the board and then later transitioned into the role of President and CEO, leading daily efforts for the organization. She highlights the organization’s COVID-19 emergency hardship grant for first responders and their participation in the iHeart Living Room Concert for America, which significantly raised their profile. Jillian expresses her fulfillment in her role, where she gets to advocate for the first responder community and work with an inspiring team.
Supporting First Responder Children – Jillian discusses the importance of supporting children of first responders, highlighting how these families often bear the brunt of their parents’ absence and trauma. She explains that their organization provides mental health programs, scholarships, community engagement opportunities, and disaster relief grants to help these families heal and thrive. The organization also organizes events like panel discussions with leaders and a first responder family appreciation day to foster peer support and strengthen community relationships with first responder agencies.
Community Partnerships and Local Impact – Jillian discusses the importance of building and maintaining relationships with first responder agencies, local communities, and corporate partners to make a meaningful impact. She highlights their work in Nashville, where they collaborate closely with Chief Swann of the fire department and Chief Drake of the police department, providing bereavement grants and community engagement programs. Jillian emphasizes that their fundraising efforts keep money local and that their team, though small, is active across almost all of the United States.
Supporting First Responder Families – Jillian shares a testimonial about a high school student, whose father was a police officer killed in the line of duty on her graduation day, and how their organization supported her through a scholarship, mental health program, and other services, which have continued over the years to support her younger siblings. The story highlights their ongoing work supporting children and families of first responders in Tennessee and other states, with specific examples of how their programs made a positive impact on individuals’ lives.
Supporting First Responders’ Families – Jillian discusses the importance of supporting the First Responders Children’s Foundation, highlighting the positive ripple effects of such support on communities and future generations. She encourages everyone to visit the foundation’s website, https://1strcf.org, to learn more and get involved, whether through donations, volunteering, or community engagement programs. Jillian introduced a monthly donor initiative, “911,” where donors can contribute $9.11 monthly to build a legacy of support for first responder families.
Corporate Partnerships for First Responders – Jillian discusses the crucial role of corporate partners in supporting the First Responders Children’s Foundation. She mentions upcoming events, including a Thanksgiving event in New York City and National First Responders Day on October 28th, which involves honoring first responders in Times Square. Jillian encourages viewers to learn more and get involved by visiting the foundation’s website and following them on social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
Visit https://1strcf.org to learn more about First Responders Children’s Foundation.
Ways to Give: https://1strcf.org/ways-to-give/
Our Programs: https://1strcf.org/our-programs/
