CBS News reports on our mental health services, and our May 15 community event at our Home of Integrated Behavioral Health.
Dr. Kristy-Lee Jean-Pierre, Senior Vice President of Mental Health Services, breaks down the importance of the day and the resources being offered, and the CBS team provided on-site coverage of the afternoon.
Watch the videos below:
On April 15, our Day Habilitation Program celebrated a milestone: the opening of our new Without Walls program in Brooklyn.
The center is embedded within the Vital Brookdale complex, which is home to Supportive Housing units for adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities as well as young adults who are aging out of foster care. This convenient arrangement allows those enrolled in Day Habilitation to further integrate into an already full, cohesive community – and creates more opportunities for connection.
The program is off to a strong start, already supporting 27 people since the program opened earlier this year and looking forward to engaging more members of our community to enroll in services. The move increases overall program capacity and features an added computer lab for those working to secure employment.
Other amenities include a lounge area, a gym with a basketball hoop and lockers, several rooms that can be used for meetings and activities, a kitchen, and a laundry area. There truly is something for everybody; the facility was intentionally designed to provide opportunities for those in the program to further develop their unique interests and skills.
Staff and program participants from across The Foundling attended the event to celebrate our new space and new opportunities for the people we support. The environment was truly festive and communal, which is indicative of the efforts staff dedicate to the well-being of those in the program.
The program itself was crafted with the purpose of creating a place where OPWDD-eligible adults could pursue their aspirations while being surrounded by a strong network of peers, supportive staff, and community members. Day Habilitation Without Walls encourages attendees to learn through immersive experiences in their neighborhoods. Participants spend their days engaged in classes, art therapy, recreational activities, sports, job hunting, and more. All of these activities help prepare those we support to better integrate into the surrounding community as they grow.
A common goal for those in Day Habilitation is to obtain employment or volunteer opportunities – which provide a sense of independence that many are looking for. In fact, the amount of autonomy and freedom given to attendees – whether in goal setting or day-to-day activities – is one of the most commonly cited benefits by those we support.
“I like to be independent,” said Antoine, one of our Day Habilitation members. “It’s fun.” He mentioned how much he enjoys being able to go out shopping or take the train.
Staff members are committed to serving as a resource, without undermining participants’ sense of self.
We implement a person-centered approach for the people we support,” stated Henry Gaston, a Day Habilitation Manager at our Herzl and Queens locations. “When a person expresses interest in developing a particular skill set, we strive to align them with opportunities that provide practical, hands-on experience, tailored to their specific learning goals and interests.”
Similar sentiments echoed by staff and participants alike reflect the heart of The Foundling’s work – which is to respond holistically to the needs of children, adults, and families we support as they work to reach their full potential.
Nef Jones, co-founder of Haven Kids Rock, our after-school performing arts program based at Haven Academy, joins TODAY’s Jenna Bush Hager and guest co-host Tiffany Haddish to talk about this inspiring music and arts program, which helps students, many of whom are in the foster care and child welfare system, find their voice and discover their musical talent.
The interview was followed by an inspiring performance, in which the Haven Kids Rock members sang one of their original songs.
Watch the interview and performance below:
During CBS New York’s Breaking The Stigma segment, lead anchor Cindy Hsu presented The New York Foundling with a generous $6,000 grant on behalf of Paramount, MTV and CBS New York in honor of Mental Health Action Day on May 15. Senior Vice President of Mental Health Services Dr. Kristy-Lee Jean-Pierre discussed some of the critical services and programs The Foundling provides and shared how meaningful this funding will be to relieve the burden of cost of treatment for our clients.
See the full interview here.
Reporter Monica Morales of Pix 11 reports from one of our homes for people with developmental disabilities in Cypress Hills, Brooklyn. The home recently received $500,000 in funding for renovations and improvements, to better support the 5 men who live in the building. Leo, one of the residents provides Monica with a tour and discusses how living in the home has provided him with community, connections, and purpose.
Foundling President and CEO Mel Hartzog was selected as one of WorldCC Foundation’s 2025 Inspiring Women, a testament to her accomplishments in leadership in the nonprofit sector. This prestigious program includes trailblazing women across a variety of industries.
Jennifer March, The Foundling’s new Chief Advancement Officer, was recently named to City & State NY’s 50 over 50 list. This list celebrates 50 distinguished leaders over the age of 50.
As they write, “This month, Jennifer March took on a new challenge as chief advancement officer for The New York Foundling. March previously led the Citizens’ Committee for Children for 17 years, guiding the research, advocacy and engagement organization through the Great Recession and the COVID-19 pandemic while spearheading notable policy changes. In her new role, she’ll drive fundraising strategy and operations.”
BK Reader reports on upcoming funding for renovations for one of our residences for people with developmental disabilities.
“The New York Foundling, a nonprofit providing social services for people with developmental disabilities, said a group home in Cypress Hills will undergo major renovations, thanks to $500,000 in funding allocated by State Senator Julia Salazar.
Salazar presented the check to the organization on Friday. It will cover upgrades at the row house at 8 Schenck Ct., which will include new safety and security systems, a redesigned communal kitchen and improvements to bedrooms and bathrooms, as well as a new HVAC system, according to a press release.”
The Foundling has brought on Jennifer March as its new Chief Advancement Officer – a new senior cabinet position that will lead the Development team and expand the organization’s fundraising strategy and operations. March comes to The Foundling after serving as the executive director of the Citizens’ Committee for Children of New York for the last 17 years.
“No one knows this work or its partners in government, philanthropy and the corporate sector better,” said Melanie Hartzog, our President & CEO. “Jen’s leadership and expertise will help us finance and develop a new generation of programs that could one day change the lives of tens of thousands of families across New York and Puerto Rico. I am so delighted to welcome her to The Foundling.”
In a new feature, New York Nonprofit Media sat down with March for an interview to discuss her new role.