our story
After Warren and Jackie Hance lost their three young daughters, Emma, Alyson, and Katie in a car accident, they had a choice to make: to give in to the grief or to create a lasting legacy in honor of their girls. They also wanted to support their local Floral Park, New York community, who had loved and protected them in the face of unimaginable tragedy. The Hance Family Foundation was created to give back to Floral Park by creating 3 scholarships in honor of their girls. In addition, Warren and Jackie wished to share with others the lessons they had learned in the course of their difficult journey:
Be accountable to others
Surround yourself with friends and family
Accept help when you need it
Forgive yourself and be patient with yourself
Find something or someone to be grateful for
Volunteer, volunteer, volunteer - focusing on others can turn tragedy into triumph
The Hance Family Foundation grew into a beloved symbol within the Floral Park community. Due to this support, the Foundation became more focused, and evolved with the larger mission of empowering women and girls beyond education. Their first program, Beautiful Me, was designed to enhance self-esteem, increase positive body awareness, improve problem-solving, and to help build healthy relationship skills for women and girls of all ages. Warren and Jackie soon realized that they needed to share their mission with more communities throughout the country. Self-Esteem Rising was created to bring the Hance Family Foundation’s vision to a national level, and to encompass all of the Foundation’s projects, including Beautiful Me, Raising a Beautiful Child and Empower Me. While the Hance Family Foundation continues to be a beloved local organization, the Self-Esteem Rising national initiative is helping to spread their mission to more women and girls every day. So far, tens of thousands of people around the world have benefited from the Self-Esteem Rising programs. With the continued support of the Foundation family and people like you, Emma, Alyson, and Katie can continue to make enormous impact in the world.
Emma
Eight-year-old Emma Alexandra was equal parts scholar and athlete, with honors in math and reading as well as gymnastics, soccer, track, basketball and softball. She also loved performing onstage. Emma took her role as the oldest sister very seriously, looking out for her sisters and setting the perfect example for them: polite, helpful, caring and warm.
alyson
Alyson Elizabeth had a smile that would light up any room. She was protective and nurturing, vivacious and joyful. At 7, Alyson also excelled at both school and sports, enthusiastically taking part in soccer, softball and gymnastics. She was a smart and loving girl for whom acquaintances became friends instantly and joyfully.
katie
Kate Marie, known to many as Katie, was very mature for her age, inquisitive and self-assured. As all the girls were, Katie was adored by her sisters and her extended family. She loved to dress up and had many friends, both boys and girls. Katie was a loving, confident, completely adorable 5-year-old who embraced life and wanted nothing more than to bring happiness to her friends and family.
executive board
The Board of Directors is comprised of an active group of professionals who volunteer their time and talents to oversee the work of the Hance Family Foundation.
Co-Presidents
Warren J. Hance, Jr., SRA
WJH Appraisal Services, Inc.
Jackie A. Hance
Executive Board Members
Bradley Katinas
Jefferies, LLC
Douglas Hayden, Esq.
Wright Risk Management
James Gill
Cox Automotive
Kerry Connolly
Freelance Print Producer
Kate Tuffy, MS Ed., BCBA
Changing Behavior, Inc.
John Power
Con-Kel Landscaping, Inc.
Executive Board Members (continued)
Lynn Pombonyo, Ed. D.
Floral Park-Bellerose School District, retired
Mark Herbrich, PT, MA, CEEAA
AgeWell Physical Therapy & Wellness
Dianne Heggie
Council of Family & Child Caring Agencies, retired
David Hance
MSgt (Ret) USAF
Kathryn Zeppieri
Ridgewood Savings Bank
Brendan Healy
New York Life
Sheila McKeough
Flagstar Bank
Emeritus Board Members
Robert C. Votruba, CFS, MBA, Ph.D
National Financial Network
Caitie McCabe
The Walt Disney Company
Ayanna Greenidge
Principal, PS/IS 266 Q
Advisory Board
Katie Geraghty
Joe Pelletiere
Geralyn Corcoran
Kerrie Murray
Karen Phannemiller
Kerry Boyle
Sharon Weiss
Basia Wood
Denise Hayden
Laura Bressmer
Judy LaRocca
Mike Mathis
Sophia Brivio
Rosemary Wagner
Terry Miccio
Courtney Hance
Shanthy Hughes
Andrew Scerbo
Dianne Heggie
Hance Family Foundation Board Member and Retired Social Worker
Farah Ahmad
Hance Family Foundation Supply Manager
Emily Marino
Hance Family Foundation Program & Marketing Manager
Whitney Walton
Clinical Social Worker and Self-Esteem Rising Leader
Suzanne Eng
Art Psychotherapist and Self-Esteem Rising Leader
Diane Cantave
Long Island Jobs With Justice
Ayanna Greenidge
Principal (PS/IS 266 Queens)
Jane Helfman
Retired School Social Worker (Floral Park-Bellerose SD)
Shanthy Hughes
Social Worker and Self-Esteem Rising Leader
Madeline Velez
School Counselor (PS 58 Bronx)
Carla Maurer
Retired Teacher (NYC) and Self-Esteem Rising Leader
Stephanie Liebowitz
School Social Worker (Roslyn SD)
Kate Zeppieri
Ridgewood Savings Bank
Kathy Wong
School Social Worker (Herricks SD)
Joanne Wolfring
Retired Teacher (Floral Park-Bellerose SD) and Self-Esteem Rising Leader
Marissa Terry
Elementary School Teacher (White Plains SD) and Self-Esteem Rising Leader
Terry Miccio
Senior Project Manager, Cox Automotive
Jasia Mirza
Elementary School Special Education Teacher
LeShawn Walker
You’re Our Unity