Blog Archives - The New York Foundling

Doors of Opportunity: The Foundling’s 2024-2025 Impact Report

We are excited to announce our 2024-2025 Impact Report, Doors of Opportunity.

This report highlights our achievements over 2024 and 2025, including participant stories that emphasize the interconnectedness of our programs and the many ways that our neighbors receive personalized, comprehensive, and life-changing support.

Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, we open the doors of opportunity to over 30,000 children, adults, and families each year – learn more about the impact we’ve made together.

Click here to read Doors of Opportunity, our 2024-2025 Impact Report (.pdf)

December 18, 2025/by Elefant Design

Building Healthy Habits with our Nutrition Team

Nutritious foods and healthy habits are essential to good health, and our Nutrition Services team is committed to providing the support, guidance, and access for our community to live their healthiest lives.

Participants in our Developmental Disabilities programs learn vital cooking skills

While the team initially was developed to guide nutrition planning in our Developmental Disabilities residences and day programs, it recently expanded to serve the young people in our Foster Care and Mother Child programs.

Healthy eating and dietary management can be hindered by existing barriers to independence, so our dietitians do essential work to prepare the people we work with to manage their health independently.

Foods are often themed for added fun – such as these Halloween mini-pizzas for the children and adolescents in our Mother Child program!

“We started as a team of one over a decade ago – we’re now a team of five people. With that expanded team we can provide so many other supportive services other than just clinical nutrition and counseling,” shared Madeline Rizzuti, a director in the program. “It’s really a wonderful opportunity to meet somebody where they’re at and address multiple needs at once.”

“I know how to reach people with nutrition,” said Carlye Husserl, Assistance Vice President of Clinical Nutrition and Wellness. “I have a big passion for it – all the people I work with have a big passion for it.”

Our licensed dietitians provide dietary guidance, share recipes, and host hands-on cooking sessions to introduce our participants to new nutrition ideas. The children and adults in our programs enjoy these demonstrations, which cover an array of topics – teaching healthier ways to prepare favorite snacks and sweets, batch cooking for efficient meal prep, simple and quick cooking techniques, and more.

Members of our Nutrition Team provide healthy eating demonstrations throughout our community

It’s because of supporters like you that we can provide and expand health and wellness across New York City. Nutrition is a key aspect of long-term stability – and you can help us continue building this foundation for the young people in our community.

Donate here

December 12, 2025/by Keyonna Murray

Blog, Child Welfare

Our Healthy Families Program Changes Lives

The Foundling’s Healthy Families program provides hands-on support to new and expecting parents and helps participants find community.

Tyesha, Doreece, and Victoria, three women from Staten Island who met through the Healthy Families parent-baby group, became close throughout the course of their time in the program.

Each of the moms had different reasons for being there but were united by a commitment to building a better future for their families. Even though Doreece completed her time with The Foundling in Fall 2025, she plans to remain in touch with her two friends via a group chat they formed.

In addition to providing a welcoming space for parents to connect with each other, the parent-baby groups give children the opportunity to develop social and relational skills. These opportunities to develop prosocial behaviors – combined with the intentional guidance of dedicated staff – help children build the foundation they need to thrive upon entering school later.

What is Healthy Families?

The Healthy Families program pairs Family Support Specialists (FSS) with parents. Specialists utilize the Growing Great Kids (GGK) curriculum to help families cultivate secure attachments with their children, support the growth of their babies and toddlers, and create a healthy environment for the whole family – including siblings.

In addition to the services provided, FSS are a source of encouragement for the people they work with. Michele Bonici, an FSS who worked with Doreece and Victoria, was someone who the moms grew to trust.

“When I got this job,” shared Michele, “I was so excited because I got to work with pregnant moms, doing activities and creating my own style with each family. Getting to know all of my families for that long brings me joy!”

Holistic Support Changes Lives

For many people in our programs, working with The Foundling ends up opening doors that may have been inaccessible previously. When Healthy Families staff recognized that program participants were seeking opportunities for community, they developed a monthly parent-baby group to address this need, providing connection, parenting instruction, and fun activities for children and parents.

In Doreece’s case, she first entered Healthy Families while still pregnant with her now three-year-old daughter.

With the encouragement of Michele, Doreece decided to return to school – which will help her create access to even more opportunities as she transitions out of the program.

Victoria and Tyesha are grateful for the opportunity they’ve had to cultivate a more robust support system.

“The support helps,” said Victoria, referring to the friendships she formed with the other moms. “Because all of my family lives in Brooklyn or out of town.”

It takes a village not just to raise a child, but to help entire family units thrive.

Healthy Families is an example of how The Foundling’s work is most successful when this concept – the significance of community – remains at the heart of the programs and services we offer.

Learn more about Healthy Families here.

December 5, 2025/by Keyonna Murray

Blog, Education

Making Learning Accessible: How The Foundling Supports Young People through Education

Young people in foster care frequently face disruptions to stability – and this often spills over into their education.

Recognizing these unique challenges, The Foundling provides robust and trauma – informed educational services that meet the academic, vocational, and emotional needs of the young people we support.

From one-on-one tutoring to college support, our teams meet young people where they are and provide the tools for success.

The Foundling’s College Choice Support Services help young adults in foster care create and open doors of opportunity through personalized career and academic counseling.

“Being in foster care, it’s a lot thrown at you… financial instability, housing instability – all of that together is the biggest fear for most of our youth,” said Saleem Bradley, Director of College Choice Support Services. “That’s where we come in.”

Students in the program, through our partnership with Administration for Children’s Services (ACS), receive full tuition and housing support to remove those barriers. As they work toward earning their degree, participants are connected with tutors, career counselors, and a College Success Advisor; this robust support system helps them develop effective study habits and plan for their future.

“Throughout the time we’re there along the way, cheering them on, being a safety net,” shares Saleem.

What began in 2016 as a program supporting 40 college students in foster care at select City University of New York (CUNY) schools has now grown to serve more than 400 students attending schools nationwide. Personalized support – and early intervention like The Foundling’s Road to Success tutoring program help to foster college readiness.

For more than a decade, The Foundling’s innovative Road to Success tutoring program has helped young people in foster care achieve academic success.

With an overall grade promotion rate of 98%, the program’s success has led to its expansion, now supporting students at Haven Academy and young people in The Foundling’s preventive and juvenile justice programs.

When Cherish (grade 8) and Josiah (grade 12), who reside with their family in Brooklyn, were connected to our tutoring services last year, the siblings were having a difficult time in school. Cherish was struggling to stay motivated, and Josiah had issues with math. The family was introduced to Adelaide, who helped the children grow by matching their pace and ensuring they fully comprehend their schoolwork.

“If I didn’t understand questions, she would let me take my time to understand,” shared Cherish.

On top of providing academic support, Adelaide became someone that the children could trust. She was patient and made them both feel accepted. “[Adelaide] understood who I was as a person,” said Josiah.

The children recently completed services – and since then, both Cherish and Josiah have continued to thrive in school. Their mom shared that even when the children have a difficult time with certain subjects, they are able to find ways to succeed. Our services provide tools for sustainability, which make a lasting impact on the lives of people we support.

By supporting our work, you can help make a difference and contribute to more positive outcomes for the children and young adults we serve.

Donate here.

December 4, 2025/by Keyonna Murray

Blog, Child Welfare

Our Mother Child Program Opens New Doors

At The Foundling, we’re dedicated to making sure young people in our community do not feel alone.

Our comprehensive services provide doors of opportunity for those in our programs, allowing them to gain access to the tools and resources they need to thrive.

When Rosa*, a young woman in foster care, first joined The Foundling’s Mother Child Program, she was managing a lot – she was in the process of finishing high school while raising her baby girl, Suzy*, with a limited support system. Determined to reach her goals, Rosa came to us in order to find a place that would support her journey to independence. The program has given Rosa a clean, safe living space in a quiet Bronx neighborhood, with opportunities to learn, grow, and connect with others.

The Foundling’s round-the-clock staff provided childcare, academic support, and supportive guidance – allowing Rosa to achieve her goal of earning her diploma and pursuing a college education. They also connected both mother and daughter with our pediatric clinic – which has helped them coordinate appointments and stay healthy.

Rosa is now 19 and studying social work at Lehman College so she can continue to give back to others. Her daughter Suzy is enjoying her first year in 3K! The ongoing, holistic support from staff in our Mother Child Program gave Rosa the platform to create a better foundation for the future of her family. She credits the program with being a lifeline during a pivotal time, providing motivation and giving her opportunities to grow – both as a student and as a parent.

“When you’re by yourself, there’s so much pressure on you,” she reflected. “Here, you have the support you need.”

Recently, our Mother Child program has expanded to a newly-renovated dedicated space, doubling the program’s capacity and increasing our ability to open doors of opportunity for young mothers. The Foundling continues to invest in these facilities, making improvements that not only meet the needs of participants, but help build community and connection – like a background playground that was installed earlier this year.

Your support makes this transformative work possible, and allows us to help mothers like Rosa reach their full potential through our array of interconnected services.

This holiday season, help open doors for our neighbors.

Make a Donation

*Names changed to protect anonymity

November 19, 2025/by Keyonna Murray

Leadership, Media Coverage

City & State: The 2025 Women Power 100

Our CEO & President, Melanie Hartzog, was named on City & State’s Women Power 100, along with the other leaders on Zohran Mamdani’s transition team:

“Hartzog, who leads the nonprofit human services provider The New York Foundling, played key roles at City Hall as deputy mayor for health and human services and director of the Mayor’s Office of Management and Budget. She overlapped with Torres-Springer under then-Mayor Bill de Blasio and also served as a deputy in the Bloomberg administration, bringing plenty of firsthand experience and insights into filling important posts.”

Read more on City & State

November 17, 2025/by Carmen Rojas

Blog, Press Release

Press Release: Mayor Adams, ACS Commissioner Dannhauser Announce Expansion of Programs to Connect Youth in Foster Care to College for Free, Offer Coaches, and Careers, Celebrate Milestones in Serving New York City’s Youth

The New York Foundling is proud to partner with ACS on the College Choice Support Services program.

NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Administration for Children’s Services Commissioner (ACS) Jess Dannhauser today announced plans to expand a number of key programs aimed at helping youth in foster care connect to college and future career opportunities, fulfilling another commitment in Mayor Adams’ 2025 State of the City address.

First, ACS’ Fair Futures program — which provides one-on-one coaching and tutoring, as well as a range of academic, career development, housing, and independent living for young people in foster care or in the juvenile justice system — is expanding from serving approximately 4,000 youth to approximately 6,000 youth, a 50 percent increase. Additionally, ACS’ College Choice program — which Mayor Adams launched in 2022 to provide college students in foster care with greater support systems, including financial support — is expanding from 430 youth to serve 530 youth. Finally, Career Choice is a new program that will provide financial assistance and a stipend to youth in foster care enrolled in a vocation, trade, or workforce development program in recognition of the fact that a traditional college pathway may not always meet the needs of all youth. Building off the success of College Choice, the new Career Choice program will connect young people in foster care who do not go to a two- or four-year college but are participating in vocational and job readiness training with financial and social support.

“As I often say, while we can’t change the price of bread, we can put bread in your pocket, and, by helping our most vulnerable — our young New Yorkers in foster care — access college and career opportunities, we are putting money back in the pockets of those who need it most: future generations of New Yorkers,” said Mayor Adams. “Our administration is committed to uplifting all children, including our young people living in foster care, and to do that, we must take into consideration all the circumstances of a young person’s life, from birth until after graduation. I am proud our administration is expanding the Fair Futures and College Choice programs, as well as launching Career Choice, to further serve young New Yorkers and ensure their futures are as bright as they are. This is all part of the $163-million investment we announced in this year’s State of the City address to reach 8,000 total participants across five ACS programs. Promises made, promises kept.”

“ACS is committed to making sure our young people in foster care have easy access to the tools they need to be successful,” said ACS Commissioner Dannhauser. “We are proud of the fact that, ever since we launched the Fair Futures and College Choice programs, more young people in foster care have had the opportunity to finish high school and attend college. Today, we’re taking that commitment one step further by expanding these programs and making sure that all young people, not just those who want to go to college, get the support they need to thrive. With the launch of Career Choice, we’re proud of the fact that we’ll be supporting our young people who are attending vocational and trade schools to pursue a range of meaningful and productive careers. All young people deserve our support and, when we deliver for them, they thrive and deliver for their communities.”

“Ensuring our young people in foster care or the justice system have access to programs that brighten their future, provide skills and wages, and promote healthy relationships is critical,” said New York City Department of Youth and Community Development Commissioner Keith Howard. “We are grateful for our partnership with ACS and will continue to work with them and our community partners to provide these kinds of opportunities for New York City youth.”

Today’s announcement works toward fulfilling commitments made in Mayor Adams’ 2025 State of the City address, supported by an investment of $163 million over five fiscal years to support five of its most successful programs — Fair Futures, College Choice, Career Choice, GirlsJustUs, and Assertive Community Engagement & Success — that engage at-risk youth and other young people; reach a total of 8,000 participants; and help connect more New York City youth with counseling, careers, college opportunities, and more.

New York City leads the nation in providing support to youth in foster care. All young people in foster care, ages 11 to 26, have access to a dedicated coach through the Fair Futures program. Due to the courageous and effective advocacy of youth in care, the program began in 2019 and was later expanded by the Adams administration to include young people involved in the juvenile justice system. Through this program, youth receive tutoring and coaching services through collaboration with the Center for Fair Futures and ACS foster care provider agencies. In Fiscal Year 2024, coaches working in partnership with New York City Public Schools helped the majority of 9th grade youth in foster care to enroll in high schools with above average graduation rates. They also helped 116 high school-age youth who dropped out of high school successfully re-engage and re-enroll in a best-fit academic setting. This first-of-its-kind program currently serves more than 4,000 young people. Today’s announcement means that an additional 2,000 youth will be able to be served.

In addition to Fair Futures, in 2022, the Adams administration launched College Choice. Through College Choice, young people in foster care attending a two-year or four-year college receive tuition and room and board assistance, as well as a daily stipend. The program had more than 400 students in the fall of 2024 — up from approximately 200 just two years ago. Approximately 66 percent of the youths coached in the ACS College Choice Program successfully completed the semester with a 2.0 + GPA, up from less than 50 percent before Fair Futures. With today’s announcement, the program will be expanded to serve over 500 students.

The new Career Choice program will support youth in foster care who are enrolled in a formal trade school program or a job and training skills development program. As part of the Career Choice program, ACS is also doubling the capacity of its participation in DYCD’s Advance and Earn program. Youth who participate in Career Choice will receive a stipend and other support, such as coaching, financial assistance for school or program fees, and financial support for housing if needed. Overall, the Career Choice program will serve approximately 400 youth.

“I am deeply grateful to the Adams administration for its steadfast commitment to young people in New York City’s foster care and juvenile justice systems,” said Tracy Jenkins, executive director, The Center for Fair Futures. “Bringing Fair Futures to scale is a monumental achievement that ensures every young person has access to the individualized coaching and tutoring they deserve across all 25 foster care and nine juvenile justice providers. With these supports, thousands of youth will not only achieve academic success but also build the skills and opportunities they need for careers and adulthood. We are proud of the progress made and remain committed to working with ACS, our 34 provider partners, and the community to ensure every young person from 9th grade through age 26 has the chance to thrive.”

“For nearly a decade, The Foundling has proudly supported young people in foster care as they pursue their dreams of attending college,” said Melanie Hartzog, president and CEO, TheNew York Foundling. “What began with 40 students attending select CUNY schools has grown into a transformative initiative serving more than 500 students at colleges and universities across the country – providing tutoring, financial support, and guidance as they navigate coursework and adjust to college life. We are grateful to the Adams administration for its investment in and expansion of College Choice, and we are honored to partner with the Administration for Children’s Services on this critical effort to help young people reach their full potential.”

“With the launch of Career Choice, New Yorkers for Children is honored to work alongside ACS to provide a greater array of vocational opportunities with wraparound services for youth in foster care to successfully make the transition to independent adulthood,” said Alan Yu, executive director, New Yorkers for Children. “We believe in walking with young people and supporting them as they plot out their individual futures, and Career Choice helps make that promise real.”

“Giving our youth the family, love, and sense of belonging they deserve will always be our first priority,” said Jeremy Kohomban, Ph.D., president and CEO, The Children’s Village. “Just as important is ensuring they have the mentorship, education, and opportunities to graduate high school and pursue a vocation they’re passionate about. The launch of Career Choice is truly a game changer for New York City’s youth.”

“I believe every young person deserves the chance to build a stable and fulfilling future, regardless of their circumstances,” said New York State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky. “We are opening doors to opportunity for young, vulnerable people in foster care and ensuring they have the support, mentorship, and resources to succeed in college or the workforce. This investment in their potential is also an investment in the future of New York, one where every young person has the tools to learn, grow, and contribute to our communities.”

“Every young person in foster care deserves more than survival—they deserve dignity, opportunity, and a real shot at building a future of their own,” said New York State Senator Robert Jackson. “Expanding Fair Futures, College Choice, and now launching Career Choice is not charity — it’s justice in action. It’s government doing what it must: turning compassion into policy, and policy into lifelong possibility. I commend this bold investment in our youth — ensuring that every path, whether academic or vocational, is not only open but supported. Because when we invest in young people, we invest in the very promise of New York.”

November 14, 2025/by Elefant Design

Leadership, Media Coverage

PIX 11: PIX on Politics Daily – Co-chair of Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s Team on New Appointments

Melanie Hartzog, our CEO & President, recently appeared on PIX 11’s PIX on Politics Daily with Dan Mannarino to discuss and share insights regarding her new role as co-chair of the transition team for NYC Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani. She also touches on the work The Foundling is doing to support our communities.

Watch the full interview on PIX 11 or in the player below

November 11, 2025/by Elefant Design

Events, Media Coverage

City & State: Editor’s Note: Somos Day of Service Returns and is Needed ‘More Than Ever’

City & State reports on The Foundling’s service day in Puerto Rico – a volunteer event held in Cataño – near our newest Head Start & Early Head Start center – in conjunction with the annual Somos Conference:

“A tent was set up along the waterfront in the town 10 miles west of San Juan for a food and backpack giveaway hosted by Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York, in partnership with The New York Foundling. Members of 250 families lined up in the sun for the distribution and information on valuable social services. A discussion followed at Cataño’s town hall with a panel of social services experts calling for collaboration among nonprofits and governmental groups that help the neediest of Puerto Ricans.”

Read more at City & State

November 10, 2025/by Elefant Design

Leadership, Media Coverage

The New York Times: Mamdani Turns to Seasoned Officials for Transition Team

The New York Times reports on our CEO & President, Melanie Hartzog, being named to Mayor-Elect Mamdani’s transition team. She will utilize her expertise in city government and social services to help shape the new administration.

As they report:

“Zohran Mamdani, the mayor-elect of New York City, will turn to veterans of City Hall, nonprofit executives and a former chair of the Federal Trade Commission — all of them women — to lead his official transition effort, he said on Wednesday.

The transition will be overseen by Maria Torres-Springer, who was first deputy mayor under the current, outgoing Mayor Eric Adams; Lina Khan, a progressive former F.T.C. chair; Grace Bonilla, the head of United Way of New York City; and Melanie Hartzog, a former deputy mayor for health and human services.”

Read more at The New York Times

November 5, 2025/by Elefant Design