The Staten Island Advance recently reported on the opening of our new Staten Island office, and highlights the various services provided in the location.
“This new space allows us to bring every one of our programs under one roof,” said Melanie Hartzog, New York Foundling’s CEO and president. “Everything is on site, and that makes a world of difference to the families who we serve.”
The Foundling’s Developmental Disabilities Division Annual Friends and Family BBQ was a huge success!
Our biggest annual event is the highlight of the summer for many of the people that live in our residences, attend our day or community habilitation programs, or participate in our employment services programs. It’s an opportunity to enjoy great food, play games, relax in the sun, and connect with family and friends.
This year’s event was no exception – hosted on August 18 at Glen Island Park in New Rochelle, over 1,000 attendees enjoyed a beautiful day in the park. Foundling staff, trustees, participants, and families socialized and mingled with the crowd.
Entertainment and activities included face painting, balloon twisting, and carnival games. Attendees enjoyed a catered meal, with volunteers from BNY Mellon’s Corporate Volunteer team providing assistance as servers. Uncle Louis G’s Homemade Italian Ice was enjoyed as well.
Our Developmental Disabilities Division strives to provide the people we support with opportunities to reach their full potential and live their best lives – and through social experiences like this, they not only enjoy community interaction and socialization, but feel truly embraced by The Foundling family.
View more photos below:
Thank you to the following sponsors for making this amazing event possible:
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Pix11 covered our June 14 Daniel Washington Jr. Basketball Tournament – an annual event hosted by our Developmental Disabilities Division that allows our participants the opportunity to play competitive basketball, enjoy cheerleading, and showcase their skills.
The Nonprofit Voice, a weekly radio show on 103.9 FM Long Island News Radio, recently featured The Foundling. Host Ron Gold spoke with Maria Bediako, Vice President of our Developmental Disabilities Division, about our work.
Click here or listen below to hear the conversation (Maria’s segment begins at 21:00.)
Pix 11 News reported on the opening of Vital Brookdale, our newest supportive housing complex. Watch the video report and meet Anthony McQueen, one of our residents.
Watch the video:
The New York State Office of Homes and Community Renewal released a press release on the opening of the Vital Brookdale apartment complex. This new building – located in Brownsville, Brooklyn – was created as part of the Vital Brookdale initiative in partnership with The Foundling.
As Melanie Hartzog, our President and CEO, stated in the press release: “We are grateful to the administration for their partnership in helping create Vital Brookdale, offering opportunity and promise for the people and communities that The New York Foundling serves. At The Foundling, we continue to look for impactful ways to uplift youth aging out of foster care and people with developmental disabilities. We see Vital Brookdale as one example of many more to come that demonstrates the mutual good that stems from providing opportunities for our neighbors to reach their full potential. It’s been a true joy to watch our residents’ confidence grow as a result of having the resources necessary to succeed on their paths to independence.”
Read the full press release here
The building features outdoor space, an on-site gym, game room, library, and more
Vital Brookdale – our new supportive housing complex – offers opportunity and promise for the people we serve.
Created in collaboration with New York State’s Vital Brooklyn Initiative, our new apartment complex in Brownsville, Brooklyn opened this summer – and is giving our neighbors the support to become thriving members of the community.
Units are fully equipped and furnished
Vital Brookdale serves two distinct groups that often experience steep obstacles to living on their own – young people aging out of foster care and adults with developmental disabilities. Without a support system that understands their unique needs, they often struggle to secure affordable housing, learn life skills, and maintain a sustainable lifestyle. Vital Brookdale builds on our existing Supportive Housing and Developmental Disabilities residential programming to provide new, private apartments to participants that are ready to live independently – and the guidance to ensure that they can successfully transition into this next step in their lives.
Foundling support staff provide on-site guidance as residents transition to independent living
As a core partner on the project, The Foundling was intrinsically involved in Vital Brookdale’s construction, and ensured that the building was designed to best serve these groups. While the building also has units designated for the general community, many of the complex’s studio and 1-bedroom units are specifically allocated to people receiving holistic supports from The Foundling.
For many Vital Brookdale residents, this is the first time they’ve had a space to call their very own
Additionally, unique on-site amenities – such as a staffed Foundling office, community spaces and resources, and an upcoming day habilitation and employment services center for people with developmental disabilities – ensure that ongoing assistance is only a few steps away.
And this is just the beginning: The Foundling’s expansion and investment in Supportive Housing will continue, with two additional developments in progress. These additional buildings – slated to open in Harlem and the Bronx within the next five years – will further support the needs of our community.
Learn more about Vital Brookdale by watching our latest video – and hear from Foundling staff and participants in their own words:
And meet more of our residents through recent press coverage:
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News 12 Brooklyn: |
Vital Brookdale is still accepting residents!
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News 12 Brooklyn reported on Vital Brookdale, our new supportive housing complex serving those aging out of foster care and those with developmental disabilities.
In their video report, the news crew speaks to Foundling staff member Cathy Branche and resident Patricia Jackson – who speaks to the complex’s focus on accessibility and best serving the needs of its community.
The Council on Quality and Leadership published a feature interview on our recent accreditation from their agency, which provides additional perspective about our inclusive approach to transforming our services for people with developmental disabilities.
As Michael Clausen, CQL Director of Personal Outcomes, writes, “It was obvious that [The Foundling] didn’t just view it as ‘passing a test.’ It was so much more than that… The New York Foundling demonstrated that they were ‘in it’ for the right reasons, treating accreditation as a time to reflect, celebrate, and plan out their journey to strengthen the quality of their services and help improve the lives of people they support.”
ABC 7 recently covered the opening of our Vital Brookdale supportive housing complex, highlighting the project’s role in providing housing for people with developmental disabilities and young adults aging out of foster care – allowing them to live independently and thrive.
Watch the video below to see the units and hear from Anthony McQueen, a resident with developmental disabilities who is proud to have moved into his new home.
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