FOOTPRINTS IN THE SAND
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 CRISIS ASSISTANCE

When Tragedy Hits, You Shouldn’t Have to Walk Alone
When tragedy strikes, friends and communities are often priceless sources of moral and emotional support. But what if a parent has died and the rest of the family suddenly finds themselves struggling to pay the mortgage? What if a child gets very sick and the medical expenses are overwhelming? That’s where the Footprints in the Sand™ Foundation steps in. 
Helping Local Families Survive Times of Crisis
Our mission is to serve local families in need. The Footprints Foundation provides desperately needed financial aid to families grappling with the death or severe illness of a child or parent. Once a family is selected for aid, they receive a grant that provides financial support for up to one full year. To date, the Foundation grants have covered such things as hospital bills, medical equipment, therapy, a car lease, computers, rent and special camps. The Board recently expanded the offerings and now provides college scholarship grants as well. 

By creating, supporting, and locating programs that directly benefit the health and well-being of children, the Foundation is working to better the lives of children and their families.
How It Works
Families who need help find their way to us via word-of-mouth. A Footprints representative meets with each prospective family and conducts interviews and research to verify that they truly are in need. The report is then presented to the Board, who carefully reviews each case and approves grants.

There are many needy families who apply for Footprints grants after hearing about what we do. There’s no limit to the amount of help we can offer, and the number of families we can offer it to.

"Our mission is to bring joy and hope to those in need."

~Bill Villafranco, Founder, Footprints in the Sand
​About
The First Step: The Founding of Footprints
The passage Footprints in the Sand was given to the Villafranco’s 10 years ago in a time of great personal tragedy in their lives.  This passage stayed with them and became word to live by.  A few years later, a family in their town experienced a similar tragedy and the Villafranco’s knew that someone needed to step in and help, and they did. Then, they did the same for another local family in need. 

Soon it was clear that the Villafranco family alone couldn’t help all the families in the area who experienced a tragic event. They needed more help – outside help. CEO and President of Villafranco Wealth Management, a successful boutique investment firm in Woodcliff Lake, NJ, Bill was uniquely positioned to run a charity and to harness the generosity of spirit he knew existed in the community. And so, in 2001, the Footprints in the Sand™ Foundation was born. 

The Footprints in the Sand Foundation is a resource where children and their families can receive the support of our network of skilled professionals.

"They don't judge. They don't pry. They just help. Footprints has empowered me in helping my son and they have treated me like family."

~A Footprints Beneficiary
Do You Need Help?
The Footprints in the Sand Foundation is dedicated to helping individuals less than 18 years old by giving them an opportunity to participate in group or one-on-one therapy to cope with a death, illness or divorce. 

Our goal is to promote mental health to enable people truly live their life to the fullest, and to treat those who are affected.

The Foundation is for you if your child is:
  • Consumed or overwhelmed dealing with their diagnosis or the diagnosis of their loved one
  • Struggling with facing treatments and side effects both physically and emotionally 
  • Coping with grief from a recent death 
  • Feeling depressed 
  • Dealing with a mental ailment
  • Dealing with a developmental ailment
  • Struggling with a recent divorce 
  • Dealing with substance abuse or alcoholism 

To receive a grant from the Footprints in the Sand Foundation your child or children must:
Live, worship or work in Bergen County, NJ or Rockland County, NY.
  • Be under 18 years old
  • Be coping with an illness, death or divorce.

Counseling is offered to those who do not have insurance or if your insurance does not fully cover your therapy.  We will also help to cover co-pays where applicable.  If you do not have a counselor you are currently working with, we will refer you to one of our recommended, licensed counselors who specialize in youth services and are not employees of the Foundation.  
APPLY FOR A GRANT
Donate
Make a donation to Footprints in the Sand and help a family in need 
Donate by PayPal
The Footprints in the Sand™ Foundation is a non-profit organization and requires funding to continue providing assistance to families in need within the Northern Bergen County and Southern Rockland County area.  To date, we have assisted seven families and raised over $100,000 through fundraising activities and charitable donations. ​

The Foundation

The Footprints in the Sand™ Foundation is a 501 c (3) non-profit, public charity organization that is dedicated to helping those who have been affected by a tragedy or are experiencing anxiety, depression or addiction.

Contact

​530 Fifth Ave 24th Fl
New York NY 10036
(212) 546-6293
info@footprintsfoundation.org
© COPYRIGHT 2020. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
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