Lillian Julien
Founder
In 1992, Lilly Julien’s 20-year-old daughter, Michelle, lost her life in a car accident. With her husband, Robert, and two surviving children, Spencer & Greer, Lilly struggled to rebuild her life after the devastation of losing a child.
Inspired by a dream visitation from her daughter, Michelle, Lilly founded the COPE Foundation, a nonprofit grief organization dedicated to supporting parents and families living with the loss of a child.
Since 1999, Lilly’s vision has guided COPE and its expanding grief support programs. An exhibited painter and portrait artist, she has facilitated many of COPE’s art therapy programs.
Lillian Julien
President Emerita
In 1992, Lilly Julien’s 20-year-old daughter, Michelle, lost her life in a car accident. With her husband, Robert, and two surviving children, Spencer & Greer, Lilly struggled to rebuild her life after the devastation of losing a child.
Inspired by a dream visitation from her daughter, Michelle, Lilly founded the COPE Foundation, a nonprofit grief organization dedicated to supporting parents and families living with the loss of a child.
Since 1999, Lilly’s vision has guided COPE and its expanding grief support programs. An exhibited painter and portrait artist, she has facilitated many of COPE’s art therapy programs.
After losing her husband in 2000, she spearheaded the inauguration of COPE Camp Erin NYC in 2011, in partnership with Eluna (f/k/a the Moyer Foundation) —a free weekend bereavement camp for children ages 7 to 17 grieving the loss of a parent or sibling—with a concurrent parent retreat started in 2015.
Lilly Julien and I. J. Weinstock have presented workshops at Compassionate Friends and Camp Widow bereavement conferences.
Lilly is the co-author of Grief Quest: A Journal & Workbook to Heal the Grieving Parent's Heart which was named a Finalist in the USA Best Books of 2012.
Awards include:
- 2008 inductee into Long Island Volunteer Hall of Fame as Founder of COPE
- March 8, 2010, Ben Appelbaum Foundation Recognition Award
- May 11, 2014, received The Roger E. Joseph Prize on behalf of COPE-Camp Erin NYC for its contribution to children's grief
- May 3, 2016 recipient of Long Island Imagine Awards recognizing innovation and leadership in the nonprofit sector
Co-Founders
Board Of Directors
Leadership Team
![David Oralevich - v David Oralevich v](https://copefoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/David-Oralevich-v.png)
David Oralevich
Website Development Consutant
Support Group Facilitators
![barbara goldstein barbara goldstein](https://copefoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/barbara-goldstein.jpg)
Barbara Goldstein
LCSW
![carly carly](https://copefoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/carly.jpg)
Carly Bergstein
LMSW
![janet janet](https://copefoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/janet.jpg)
Janet Zimmerman
LCSW-R
![lauren lauren](https://copefoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lauren.jpg)
Lauren Jukofsky
LCSW
![marilyn marilyn](https://copefoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/marilyn.jpg)
Marilyn Kohn
LMSW
![mary ann 2 mary ann 2](https://copefoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/mary-ann-2.jpg)
Mary Ann Stein
LMSW
![michelle michelle](https://copefoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/michelle.jpg)
Michelle Graff
LCSW
![Our Team 19 rashida](https://copefoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/rashida.png)
Rashida Sanchez
![rhonda ryan rhonda ryan](https://copefoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/rhonda-ryan.jpg)
Rhonda Ryan
LCSW
![Lorraine Kransdorf, LCSW-R Lorraine Kransdorf LCSW R](https://copefoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Lorraine-Kransdorf-LCSW-R.png)
Lorraine Kransdorf
LCSW-R