Our Mission
To promote hope and prevent
teen suicide.
This foundation is being set up in FRANCESCO’S name to help prevent other teenagers from being tormented, cyber bullied, gossiped about, and/or discriminated against. We hope to transform our grief into action!
The foundation’s purpose will be to provide a bridge for parents and educators to know what children are experiencing on-line in order to prevent cyber bullying and harassment leading to the deterioration of mental health, self harm or in extreme cases, suicide.
Francesco died on October 21, 2021. He was 17 years old and had been the victim of malicious rumors and cyber bullying . Prior to his quick spiral downwards he had been a happy, star student with everything to look forward to in the world. He was a victim of spiteful lies due to his sexual orientation. Francesco was experimenting and had not identified as gay, bisexual or straight but because of his openness at his school in Long Island he was the subject of vicious lies and ridicule. One night he was unable to take any more and he had a very uncharacteristic night of recklessness and although he had not set out to-Francesco did end his life on a moonlit beach in Southampton.
Our Mission
To promote hope and prevent
teen suicide.
Francesco’s Foundation is preserving the mental health and well-being of marginalized youth, especially those within the LGBTQ+ community, by promoting kindness, inclusivity, and the safe storage of guns through education and outreach.
Francesco died on October 21, 2021. He was 17 years old and had been the victim of malicious rumors and cyberbullying. Before his quick spiral downwards, he was a happy, star student with everything to look forward to in the world. But then he became a victim of spiteful lies.
Francesco was experimenting and had not identified his sexual orientation, but because of his openness at his school in Long Island, he was the subject of vicious rumors and ridicule. One night, he was unable to take any more and had an uncharacteristic night of recklessness. Although he had not set out to, Francesco ended his life on a moonlit beach in Southampton.
Jan 28th 2004 – Oct 21st 2021
TEEN SUICIDE STATISTICS
Teen suicide rates in the United States have increased at an alarming pace over the past decade. We are committed to seeing these rates go down by addressing core issues that contribute to self-harm among young adults.
EVERY 7 HOURS
A U.S. TEEN TAKES THEIR LIFE BY FIREARM (ON AVG BETWEEN 2019-20)
3,703 YOUTHS
ATTEMPT TO TAKE THEIR LIVES EACH DAY
ONE IN FIVE
AMERICAN TEENAGERS CONTEMPLATE SUICIDE
4 TIMES HIGHER
LGBTQ+ YOUTH ARE MORE LIKELY TO COMMIT SUICIDE
48% OF TEENS
WHO IDENTIFY AS BISEXUAL SERIOUSLY CONSIDER SUICIDE
How to donate:
Your tax-deductible donation gives life-saving support to the kids suffering in silence.
To donate either scan the QR code or use the button below.
How your donation will help us:
You can save a child's life! Your tax-deductible donation provides teachers and caregivers the training they need to understand and act when young people are hurting.
JOIN US FOR OUR MEMBER EVENTS
Add your name to the guest list for our latest events in the Hamptons and throughout New York. For more information, please follow the link in the button below.
3 PILLARS OF FRANCESCO’S FOUNDATION
Francesco's Foundation stands on three pillars of reform and education, each intersecting with the issue of mental health. Confronting ignorance, prejudice, and fear are at the forefront of the Foundation’s activities.
GUN SAFETY & LEGISLATION
Gun logic. Let’s go beyond typical pull quotes and statistics. We should have logical discussions and education on gun safety.
EDUCATING PARENTS & TEACHERS ON LGBTQ+ BULLYING
Sad to think that we are living in 2024 and still having to deal with bullying. Both online and in person. We need to help not only the bullied but also the bully.
TECHNOLOGY REFORM & EDUCATION
You don’t know what you don’t know. Educating parents and teachers on the dangers of what is online and young people on how to interact with this space.
TALK WITH
SOMEONE NOW
If you or someone you know is looking for immediate help, please reach out to the links with the Trevor Project. Connect to a crisis counselor 24/7, 365 days a year, from anywhere in the U.S. It is 100% confidential, and 100% free.
Speak With Someone Now
The 988 Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States.
JOIN THE DISCUSSION ON
Contact
Diana Cochran (Founder)
Diana[a]francescosfoundation.org
Jennifer Allsop (Co-Founder)
Jennifer[a]francescosfoundation.org
Text us for a quicker response: (631) 790-4666