Board Supports Families Facing Childhood Illness
Westchester County Legislator Erika L. Pierce (D–Bedford, Lewisboro, Mount Kisco, North Salem, Pound Ridge, Somers) presented $21,600 in County funding to Friends of Karen, a North Salem-based nonprofit that assists families with children facing life-threatening illnesses. Pierce delivered a ceremonial “big check” on behalf of the Board of Legislators, affirming the Board’s commitment to uplift the County’s children and families.
Friends of Karen (FOK) serves families with a child undergoing treatment for cancer or another life-threatening condition. The 501(c)(3) nonprofit provides critical emotional, financial, and advocacy support to help families, all at no cost. The County’s 2026 funding will help FOK continue offering psychosocial support, case management, and financial assistance to families who have lost income due to their child’s illness.
Since its founding in 1978, FOK has served the families of nearly 19,000 children. In 2025, nearly a third of the families served had an income below poverty level and 52% had an annual income of $50,000 or less. The need for these is families is acute, particularly as the cost of essentials such as food and medicine continues to rise. FOK provides critical emotional, financial, and advocacy support to help families remain stable during extraordinarily difficult circumstances.
Legislator Erika Pierce said, “Friends of Karen provides critical support to families facing the unthinkable. With the benefit of decades of experience, their trained staff assists families as they try to negotiate the medical system, providing mental health supports, camp scholarships, school supplies, and other daily needs, including rent and transportation, for the entire family, often for many years. Their efforts can keep a family from losing their home and allow them the space to celebrate holidays and other family milestones. We are grateful for them and the work they do and thrilled to partner with them in these efforts.”
Executive Director Stefanie Ortiz-Cidlik said, “We are deeply thankful to Legislator Pierce for recognizing that medical care is only one part of a family’s journey when facing a child’s life-threatening illness. This support means that families can focus entirely on their child’s health rather than the fear of losing their home or falling behind on bills. With a Friends of Karen social worker by their side, they gain a compassionate partner to help carry the weight of an unimaginably difficult time.”
To apply for help from Friends of Karen, the parent or guardian of a child with a life-threatening illness should call Friends of Karen call the Family Support Team at (914) 617-4057. More information can be found at the Friends of Karen website.