First Responders Children's Foundation helps children affected by Sept. 11 attacks
The 'FRCF' is a national nonprofit organization.
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For some, it is hard to believe it has been 23 years since the dreadful attacks on the Twin Towers. And for others, the aftermath of the attacks plagues them and their families every day. Adriana Hendrickson-Slack is the daughter of one first responder, a former NYPD detective and nurse who risked her life on September 11th to save the lives of others.
"The attacks happened, and she rushed to ground zero. She was there all day...directing people...helping people out of the buildings. Because of that, she suffered serious injuries," she said.
Over 400 first responders were killed on 9/11/01, and the FDNY says 363 of its members have died of related causes in the years since the attack. A reality that Adriana says- while difficult- has inspired her to make an impact in her community.
"Her call-to-action to help people 24/7 inspires me to help people. It inspired the major that I am in right now which is global public health," she said about her mother.
Like so many others, since the attacks, the Junior at NYU has been left to pick up life's pieces along side her disabled mother and her sister, an ability she attributes to the 'First Responders Children's Foundation.'
"I think we have a moral obligation to take care of the children of the brave men and women who run into danger for us every single day," said President of the organization, Jillian Crane.
The 'FRCF' is a national nonprofit organization that offers financial, emotional, and mental support to those children whose lives have been affected by the September 11th attacks.
"800 children lost a first responder parent on that morning because of the attacks and so this organization was born to take care of those children. With programs to support and serve the children of our brave heroes nationwide," she said.
Children like Adriana who has just been awarded the foundation's "Children of Heroes Scholarship."
"I feel like I have gained a second family. They help me financially, but they also help me emotionally. They're great people. I got to study abroad because of them. I got to see the Thanksgiving Day Parade because of them, and I really appreciate them. They've helped me so much through my academic career and outside of my academics," said the scholarship recipient.
"(Adriana) is an incredible example of the scholarship recipients who want to give back to the communities they live in. They understand service and they understand sacrifice," says the organization's president and CEO.
Service and sacrifice -- two pillars Adriana says she will continue dedicating her life to all because of her real-life hero- her mother.
"Her disability saddens me. But I'm understanding it's because of her courageousness. Her disability was a part of her courageousness," said Adriana.
