By Bill Baccaglini, President and CEO, The New York Foundling 

 

When actress Sandra Bullock revealed in People Magazine that she adopted her second child from foster care, it was not only a demonstration of her love and support for that child, but a reminder to the rest of us about the more than 100,000 children in the United States who are hoping someday to be adopted. Our society has made great strides toward moving children from congregate care settings into foster homes and ultimately into adopted homes, but there is much more that needs to be done.

 

To begin with, there is a tremendous need for more families to open their homes to foster children. These children need loving foster parents to care for them either for a transitional period or longer-term. In some cases, these children have been through a lot. Many have experienced some form of trauma at a very young age. Especially now, at holiday time, we should remember that for some youngsters, a safe and stable home to live in may be the most precious gift they can hope for.

 

As with most gifts, those who give also receive. Foster parents continually tell us what a blessing these children are and how spiritually rewarding it is to be able to bring them into their homes. In fact, through the New York Foundling’s foster care program, we’ve seen many foster parents taking in multiple children over time as they recognize the joy that flows through their homes with each new addition.

Even with the help of these wonderful foster families – and we certainly need more of them – we still need to do more. Some children are in foster care temporarily and are eventually able to return to their biological parents. But there are many for whom that is not an option. For some, they move from foster home to foster home, from school to school, from neighborhood to neighborhood – never sure how long they’re going to be in one place.

 

That’s why Sandra Bullock’s spotlight on this issue is so important, and coverage like the TODAY Show will help us continue the discussion. No matter how caring and devoted foster parents may be, adoption provides a unique type of gift. When a foster parent adopts a child, they are letting that child know they are part of a permanent family – for the rest of their lives.

 

Toniann Gelardo and her daughter, seven-year-old Shay Anabelle Gelardo, a Staten Island family featured in the TODAY Show’s coverage, made their family official after two years of fostering. “It is the most amazing feeling in the world,” says Ms. Gelardo. “The greatest accomplishment in my lifetime.”

 

Foster families will say that making their loving family permanent through adoption provides them as many rewards as it provides to their child. Giving a child stability and love – reading bedtime stories, tucking them into bed, cheering them on at sporting events or praising good grades – showing love in ways large and small – means everything. Adoption makes those moments permanent, can drive away fear, conquer uncertainty and help children recover from the trauma of their young lives. It lets them know they have a home.

The Foundling offers dynamic, progressive and evidence-based services and programs to 30,000 children and families each year. What makes our programs so unique and successful are our dedicated and committed employees and staff. Get to know the people inside our organization by reading our blog each week as we highlight a new staff member.  We’ll ask questions about their role at The Foundling, what their passions and hobbies are outside of the office, and recognize their achievements and accomplishments.

 

 

What are your major responsibilities at The Foundling?

My two major responsibilities at The Foundling are ensuring that all of our compliance requirements are met while on-boarding employees and overseeing employee relations for the Human Resources department. It is the area of my work where I can create solutions that can have a positive impact.

 

 

What inspires you most about working at The Foundling?

The team that I work with is my biggest source of inspiration. I strive to impart all the knowledge that I have and really enjoy us improving as a department.

 

 

What has driven you to be where you are today?

I have a commitment to excel at everything that I do and I get satisfaction from doing my best. Continually having a sense of accomplishment in all tasks—no matter the size is extremely important to me.

 

 

Who is your role model and what do you admire about them?

I don’t have a particular role model but there are a lot of people that I admire. The common quality that these people have would be compassion.

 

 

If you could take a trip anywhere in the world, where would you go?

Morocco would be my destination of choice because of the film Casablanca.

 

 

Tell us about the latest book you’re reading, or recently read?

I am currently reading “The Girl on the Train” by Paula Hawkins.

 

 

What is your spirit animal and why?

According to my roomie, Laurie, I am a tiger because I am “no holds barred.”

 

 

State a fun fact about yourself.

I am a proud member of Omega Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated.

 

 

Want to learn about other Foundling staff? You can meet some of our other employees on TheMuse.com.

This Thursday, The New York Foundling will present Judge Michael A. Corriero with its Lifetime Achievement Award for the work he has done to improve the juvenile justice system and change the course for hundreds of at-risk youth. He will be given the award at The Foundling’s first annual Fall Fête at The NoMad in New York City.

 

We’ve told you why we admire Cat Greenleaf, our Fall Fête emcee, and last week we shared what makes TD Bank so special. Today, we’re pleased to celebrate Judge Corriero and share why The Foundling loves him:

 

1. Judge Corriero was the first in his family to go to college. Then he went on to law school where he graduated at the top of his class.   His parents watched as he was appointed to the bench at the young age of 37.

 

2. No distance is too great for Judge Corriero to travel and share his knowledge, expertise and wisdom on developing juvenile justice programs. Sierra Leone, Australia, Peru, Israel and South Africa are just a few of many countries he has visited throughout his career.

 

3. Judge Corriero is committed to improving outcomes for youth involved in the juvenile justice system. Hundreds of at-risk youth have been given a second chance thanks to his work. (Read more about The Foundling’s Juvenile Justice Programs here.)

 

4. He served at the request of the former Chief Judge of New York State, Judith Kaye, on the New York State Permanent Commission on Justice for Children. He also served on Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s Committee on the Judiciary and former Governor David Paterson’s Task Force on Transforming Juvenile Justice. He has previously served on the New York State Probation Commission Task Force.

 

5. Judge Corriero is a native New Yorker and grew up in Little Italy. Today he cruises the city streets wearing his signature fedora.

 

Hear more from Judge Corriero by clicking play!