Friends of Firefighters
2026 Anniversary Letter
Dear Friends,
Twenty-five years ago, at the request of FDNY firefighters who came to trust Nancy Carbone in the days and months following 9/11, Friends of Firefighters made a simple but enduring promise: to be a safe, independent, and confidential place where FDNY firefighters and their families could turn - so that no one has to carry the weight of the job alone.
For nearly a quarter century, Friends of Firefighters has proudly provided confidential counseling delivered by licensed clinicians, alongside peer support programs led by active and retired firefighters. Our services are grounded in trust, understanding, and lived experience.
Each year has brought new challenges and new opportunities, yet our commitment has never wavered. We remain here for every firefighter and family member who raises a hand for help.
Meeting a Moment of Growth & Preparing for the Future
In recent years, demand for Friends of Firefighters’ services has grown at an extraordinary pace — a powerful reflection of both the evolving needs of the FDNY community and the deep trust firefighters place in this organization. Requests for individual and family counseling continue to rise, with utilization increasing 35 percent year over year.
This growth is both meaningful and motivating. It signals that firefighters are seeking support, that stigma continues to erode, and that Friends of Firefighters is reaching more members and families at critical moments in their lives and careers.
At the same time, this sustained increase in demand requires thoughtful expansion of our clinical capacity, peer support programs, and operational resources. In 2026, our focus is on strengthening Friends of Firefighters for the future: expanding financial reserves, enhancing counseling capacity, and ensuring continuity of care for the growing number of firefighters and families who rely on our services.
We are deeply grateful to Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and UFA President Andy Ansbro for securing $632,000 in congressional funding to support our work. This critical support comes at a pivotal time as we prepare for the profound emotional weight surrounding the 25th Anniversary of September 11th and the lasting impact it continues to have on the FDNY community.
Supporting firefighter mental health is not optional; it is essential. By prioritizing their mental health, we not only honor the sacrifices firefighters make - we are investing in their resilience, strength, and long-term ability to serve the public.
We also extend our deepest gratitude to our counseling team for their extraordinary dedication. Over the past 24 months, our clinicians have provided more than 7,300 counseling sessions representing approximately $1.1 million in free mental health services. Their work, and the trust they build with firefighters and families, is made possible through their expertise and the generosity of supporters like you.
Supporting firefighter mental health is not optional; it is essential.
By prioritizing their mental health, we not only honor the sacrifices firefighters make - we are investing in their resilience, strength, and long-term ability to serve the public.
The Enduring Power of Peer Support
Peer support has always been a defining element of Friends of Firefighters’ mission rooted in the belief that firefighters are uniquely positioned to support one another through shared experience and understanding.
In 2024, this spirit was powerfully embodied through our inaugural Friends of Firefighters Ride for Resilience, now proudly an annual tradition. Thirty-nine FDNY firefighters participated in 2024, followed by eighteen in 2025, logging a combined total of 559 miles. Together, they rode in solidarity with those impacted by 9/11-related illnesses and to raise awareness of first responder mental health.
Organized by New York and Irish firefighters, the ride served as a profound reminder of the strength of connection within the first responder community. Along the route, participants experienced firsthand the unique support, camaraderie, and understanding that peer relationships provide, reinforcing why peer programs remain such a critical component of mental health and wellbeing.
Highlights from the Ride for Resilience
As we look ahead, we are proud to strengthen this work through the expansion of our peer support efforts under a new name:
The Aaron Clark Peer Support Team
This program honors the legacy of Aaron Clark, a U.S. Marine, FDNY firefighter assigned to Rescue 1, and deeply respected Peer Team Leader at Friends of Firefighters - whose compassion, leadership, and unwavering dedication to his fellow firefighters left a lasting impact on this organization and the broader first responder community.
The Aaron Clark Peer Support Team will carry forward Aaron’s “One Family, One Fight” mindset, providing trusted guidance and genuine understanding grounded in lived experience. Peer Leaders help firefighters navigate the emotional challenges associated with injuries, work-related trauma, career transitions, retirement, and personal struggles.
A significant portion of new funding will directly support the growth and sustainability of this vital program, strengthening connection, reducing stigma, and expanding outreach to firefighters and families in need.
We are also grateful to the members of FDNY Rescue 1 for creating Aaron Clark Memorial shirts, with proceeds supporting the Aaron Clark Peer Support Team.
Two New Team Members
We are proud to welcome Chrissy Neafsey as Associate Director. Chrissy brings 20 years of experience helping mission-driven organizations build high-performing teams and resilient, scalable operations. She was first introduced to Friends of Firefighters during Hurricane Sandy outreach in Rockaway and has volunteered with us for more than a decade. Chrissy shares, “I will never forget what Friends of Firefighters has done for my FDNY family, and I am so grateful for the opportunity to pay it forward in this role.” We are grateful to have her leadership and heart guiding our next chapter.
We are also delighted to welcome Julie Smith as Community & Donor Engagement Manager. Julie brings over 15 years of experience in nonprofit marketing, donor development, hospitality, and event management. With a strong record of building partnerships and advancing mission-driven fundraising strategies, she will lead efforts to deepen donor relationships, strengthen community engagement, and secure sustainable support for Friends of Firefighters.
We Invite You to Stand With Us
Friends of Firefighters has always been about presence - showing up, again and again, in the moments that matter most. And we can only do that because you have shown up for us.
We would love to see you at an upcoming event! Every ticket purchased and every donation made sustains our ability to keep our doors open and provide free, confidential care to FDNY firefighters and their families:
June 18 | 10th Annual Firehouse Chili Cook-Off!
This is where firehouses compete for bragging rights - and more! We are welcoming all chili-eaters to kick off their summer with great food and even greater company at our historic firehouse in Red Hook, Brooklyn.
Buy your tickets here!
Sep 6-10 | First Responder Ride for Resilience
Our 2026 First Responder Ride for Resilience benefits Friends of Firefighters + Livestrong.
500 bike riders will journey 343 miles from Boston to New York City over five days to honor the 25th Anniversary of 9/11, and raise awareness of the physical and mental health impact cancer has on the first responder community.
Friends of Firefighters is joined by community partners Boston Fire Cancer Foundation and the NRFA, who we are excited to welcome stateside this year!
Oct 15 | Friends of Firefighters Gala
We are thrilled to host our 2026 Gala at The Rockaway Hotel + Spa in Rockaway Beach, NY. Join us for an unforgettable evening of celebration, camaraderie, and purpose. It’s going to be a great night honoring the firefighters who show up for our city every single day.
Ticket and sponsorship information coming soon!
In Closing
For twenty-five years, the generosity of donors like you has fueled our mission and sustained our unwavering commitment to the mental health and well-being of the FDNY firefighters who dedicate their lives to protecting our city.
We anticipate providing 10,000 counseling sessions annually by 2030, and every bit helps us fortify Friends of Firefighters for the future. Your commitment today ensures we can continue showing up tomorrow.
To our firefighters and their families: thank you for trusting us.
To our donors, partners, clinicians, peers, and volunteers: thank you for standing with us.
To everyone who has helped carry this mission forward over 25 years: this work exists because of you.
With gratitude for your belief in our mission,
Nancy Carbone
Founder & Executive Director
