Friends of Firefighters

24/7 Crisis Hotline: 1-866-339-7717 info@friendsoffirefighters.org - www.friendsoffirefighters.org - 718-643-0980 INTERNATIONAL FIREFIGHTERS DAY | YOGA | STRESS AWARENESS & MENTAL HEALTH MONTH | COOKBOOK | SERVICES International Firefighter's Day Monday, May 4 is International Firefighter's Day. We would like to take this opportunity to recognize the dedication and sacrifice of firefighters around the world, including our own Fire Department of New York City. Friends of Firefighters recognizes the needs of active and retired firefighters and their families and meets them by providing counseling and wellness services. Thanks to the support of donors like you, we are able to continue to provide these services free of charge and in a way that makes them easier to understand and accept, makes them convenient to access, and most importantly ensures their confidentiality. Consider a donation to Friends of Firefighters in honor of International Firefighter's Day.      Yoga: More Than a Workout   Yoga is more than an exercise trend or a way to fit in a quick workout. The benefits of yoga can be fully felt if you're aware of how it fits in to your overall wellness lifestyle. This article by yoga teacher Jake Panasevich outlines 7 ways in which yoga is more than just a workout: Full-spectrum practice Applicable Acceptance over competition Awareness Alignment Community Integrated Consider how yoga can be part of your overall healthy lifestyle and attend one of FoF's two free yoga classes for active and retired FDNY firefighters and your families: Queens: Wednesdays, 7-8PM at Mrs. Elaine's Dance Studio, Rockaway Park Staten Island: Wednesdays, 10:15-11:15AM at Limitless Fitness, Staten Island   Stress Awareness & Mental Health Month   We shared stress reducing tips from our counselors and wellness providers on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter all of April for Stress Awareness Month. Tips were related to: Breathing and meditation Animal therapy Increasing happiness Exercise Activities & hobbies Journal writing Sleep habits Biofeedback May is Mental Health Month. Follow us to learn more about this important subject in the upcoming weeks.    Friends of Firefighters Cookbook Calling all active & retired FDNY firehouse chefs to submit your recipes! The firefighters who have helped to build Friends of Firefighters have brought their love of cooking in the firehouse to the organization, evident through our monthly On the Arm Breakfasts, the dish contributions to our Annual Fall Gala, and invitations to firehouse meals. As a way to recognize the significant role that food plays among firefighters, we are producing The Friends of Firefighters Cookbook, complete with recipes and anecdotes from FDNY firefighters. All proceeds will allow us to continue to provide independent, confidential, and free counseling and wellness services to you and your families. We invite any active or retired FDNY firefighter to contribute your recipe to the cookbook by submitting a completed form by May 31, 2015 We look forward to making something special with your help. Thank you for your support!  More information and submission form here   Services Below is an overview by location. Visit our website for more information.  Bronx  Riverdale: Counseling*, Financial Guidance*   Brooklyn Red Hook: Counseling*, Acupuncture*, Biofeedback*, Financial Guidance*, Monthly On the Arm Breakfast (moved to May 20 this month), Women's Group   Queens Forest Hills: Counseling* Rockaway Park: Yoga   Manhattan Downtown: Counseling* Flatiron: Acupuncture* Upper West Side: Biofeedback*   Staten Island Dongan Hills/Todt Hill: Counseling*, Women’s Group*, Acupuncture* New Dorp: Yoga   Accessible from anywhere Internet Counseling Program http://fof.cobaltcbt.com 24/7 Crisis Hotline 1-866-339-7717 Peer Support Program* Access by calling FoF City of Berlin Scholarship / Checkpoint Charlie Application online *Advance sign up or appointment required Friends of Firefighters provides independent, confidential, and free counseling and wellness services to active and retired FDNY firefighters and their family members.