A Legacy Born from Compassion

In the wake of profound personal loss, The McKenna Foundation emerged as a beacon of hope and support for the Staten Island community. Founded by Brian Terzian, whose life was irrevocably changed on September 11th with the loss of his mother, Stephanie McKenna, the Foundation is built on a bedrock of empathy, generosity, and a deep-seated desire to give back to the community that once offered Brian an outpouring of support during his darkest times.

From Personal Loss to Community Leadership

The journey of The McKenna Foundation began in the heart of a young boy who faced unimaginable loss yet found solace in the kindness of strangers. This experience sowed the seeds for a lifelong commitment to helping others, a commitment that would come to fruition decades later. As Brian navigated the highs and lows of life, including the joy of becoming a father and the sorrow of saying goodbye to his beloved grandfather, the patriarch of the McKenna family, he was reminded of the power of community support. These pivotal moments reinforced his resolve to create a foundation that would extend a helping hand to those in need, mirroring the compassion he had received.

Empowering the Next Generation

With a focus on the very beginning of life, The McKenna Foundation initially set its sights on supporting the NICU at Staten Island University Hospital. This decision was influenced by Brian's personal experience with his son's NICU stay. It was a time filled with vulnerability and uncertainty, yet also remarkable care and support from medical staff. What better way to create bright futures for the children of Staten Island than to ensure they have the best care and facilities available at the start of their lives.

Uniting for a Cause

The McKenna Foundation's inaugural fundraiser, the Buckets for Babies 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament, marked the beginning of a series of successful initiatives aimed at making a tangible difference in the community. The McKenna Foundation joined Joseph Maffeo Foundation in their project to build a new NICU facility at Staten Island University Hospital. Motivated by shared histories and goals, the two foundations (along with others) are providing the most state of the art care possible to the Staten Islanders who need it most. The McKenna Foundation is committed to expanding its reach, supporting families facing not only medical but any and all challenges, and enriching the lives of children across Staten Island.