Blog Archives - Page 12 of 38 - The New York Foundling

Team Foundling 2023: Meet our United NYC Half Runners!

On March 19, Team Foundling will embark on the 2023 United Airlines NYC Half! The half marathon historically has taken over 25,000 runners along a 13.1 mile course through Brooklyn and Manhattan.

In partnership with New York Road Runners, we are excited to sponsor a team of ten runners – members receive guaranteed entry and other perks, all while crowdfunding for The Foundling’s programs supporting children, adults, and families. Our 2023 Team Foundling runners come from a variety of backgrounds – but are united in their dedication to running this strenuous race and giving back to our shared Foundling community.

Read more about each of our team members below, and learn how you can support them and The Foundling.

Erik Clark

Having recently moved to New York has had its challenges, but it has also provided a lot of opportunities. I wanted a new challenge and couldn’t think of a more demanding activity than to start with this half marathon and have the opportunity to give back to the Foundling community!

Learn More & Support Erik!

Jardy Santana

Connection to The Foundling: Haven Academy staff member

I’ve known I’ve wanted to be a teacher from the age of 6. For 12 of the past 14 years as an educator, I have been a teacher at Mott Haven Academy Charter school, The Foundling’s charter school in the South Bronx.

I’ve experienced the impact of this partnership on our community first hand, and joining Team Foundling allows me to further support my immediate community and fellow New Yorkers, through another one of my passions: running. I chose to run with Team Foundling to make a difference in my community!

Learn More & Support Jardy!

Michelle Watsula

Connection to The Foundling: Foundling staff member

I’m fairly new to the running game compared to most people. I started running during COVID as a way to keep myself healthy, both mentally and physically. Running is tough, but what has kept me motivated to continue was seeing my son cheer me on as I approached the finish line of my first half marathon last year.

When the opportunity arose to run for The New York Foundling – the agency that has provided me with invaluable learning experiences, growth opportunities, mentors, and relationships; an agency that continues to grow, innovate, and advocate to ensure we are always helping our clients reach their full potential – I jumped at the chance.

Learn More & Support Michelle!

Naomi Jackson

Connection to The Foundling: Foundling Junior Board member

Naomi is excited to participate in her first half marathon since moving to NYC five years ago. A member of The Foundling’s Junior Board, Naomi is inspired to contribute to the vision to help children and families navigate through and beyond foster care. A Hudson River Park regular, Naomi is keen to explore new running paths during her training. She’s also looking forward to the scenic race route of the NYC half and the special experience of crossing the finish line in Central Park. And course to enjoying a celebratory champagne with loved ones and her fellow Team Foundling runners afterward!

Learn More & Support Naomi!

John Carlos Machado II

Victory is paid for in sweat, courage, and preparation. It’s about being on a lonely road and running like a champion even when there’s not a single soul in sight to cheer you on – when I wake up in the morning, feeling dangerous. Mindset: I hate to lose, more than I love to win.

Learn More & Support John!

Mel Hartzog

Connection to The Foundling: Foundling staff member

I’m proud to lead The Foundling and all that our incredible staff do in support of the more than 30,000 children, adults, and families we reach each year!

In our work, and especially during the pandemic, managing our health and wellness has been especially important. Exercising is one of the ways that I keep myself physically and mentally healthy and when combined with the opportunity to support Team Foundling – I couldn’t wait to sign up!!

Learn More & Support Mel!

Elliot Lynn

Elliott started running as a way to exercise outside during the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic, and has recently run two half marathons. He’s passionate about The Foundling’s work, and has seen the impact of The Foundling’s services through his wife, a pediatric primary care provider for many years at The Foundling. Elliott is excited to combine his love of running with the opportunity to support the work of an organization that provides compassion, care and opportunity for those who need it most.

Learn More & Support Elliot!

Erin Lippman

Connection to The Foundling: Foundling Junior Board member

I started running about 20 years ago and have found it to be therapeutic. Running had allowed me to look at my city and other places from a different perspective. Being able to run on behalf of causes I care has about allowed me to combine something I love with something that helps others. I’m very thankful to be a member of the Junior Board for The New York Foundling. No children should have to live in a world without human basic needs.

Learn More & Support Erin!

Emma Wolfe

Learn More & Support Emma!

Jason Kauppila

I am NYC born and raised and have been running competitively for the past 10 years for teams with a common goal and personal achievements. This time, the race is not for me. It’s to embody the spirit of an amazing team – one that empowers our neighbors and changes lives for the better. Special shout out to Jane Fanning and The New York Foundling for getting me involved!

March 2, 2023/by Elefant Design

Events, Media Coverage

City & State: Melanie Hartzog Recognized in the 2023 Power of Diversity-Black 100 List

City & State New York has recognized Melanie Hartzog, The Foundling’s President & CEO, in their 2023 Power of Diversity: Black 100 list. This annual list highlights the elected officials, business executives, labor chiefs, community advocates and other trailblazers in New York who are writing the next chapter of Black life in America.

As City & State notes, “I had run a nonprofit before,” Hartzog said last spring about her new role, “but the scale of The Foundling was a new challenge, and it really got me energized.”

Read more at City & State New York

February 6, 2023/by Elefant Design

Blog, Child Welfare, Education

Camp Felix: Giving Children Experiences and Memories for a Lifetime

Camp Felix, our overnight summer camp, is a magical place. For the children in our programs, the streets of New York City are often all they know – there often isn’t the opportunity to experience nature, much less spend a week in the woods at camp. Many are growing up in difficult circumstances – and lack the chance to just relax and be a kid.

Camp Felix, which we’ve operated in partnership with the Felix Organization since 2006, provides children and adolescents in the child welfare system with a rewarding overnight camp experience. Running in August for one-week sessions, our participants have the chance to attend a summer camp with their peers, make memories, learn new skills, explore new surroundings, and build self-confidence. Our current location – located in Sandyston, NJ – features swimming, boating, fishing, a ropes course, and more!

Like all of The Foundling’s programs and services, Camp Felix seeks to build community and forge support systems for those we serve. Campers and counselors form strong bonds that are reinforced through camp reunions and repeat visits – providing the children we serve with the confidence to reach for their dreams.

Meet our Camp Felix Campers

Meet Kenneth, a former Camp Felix counselor

Your support is essential to this work. Your gift this holiday season will allow us to continue bringing camp experiences and other essential programs to New York children and families.

December 29, 2022/by Elefant Design

Blog, Health and Behavioral Health

At The Foundling, Art Promotes Healing

For participants at The Foundling, art can be a lifeline – it provides tools for self-expression, an accessible way to work through trauma, and a means of contextualizing one’s experiences. Many of the people we serve at The Foundling come to us feeling voiceless – from children in foster care struggling to cope with complex situations, to adults with developmental disabilities that face innate barriers to sharing their viewpoints – but through art, they find and showcase their strength.

Art is used to heal minds and souls across our programs – here are just a few of the ways:

The Fontana Center’s Artist Collective provides a safe space for children in our foster care programs to grow and create.
Our Developmental Disabilities programs encourage our day habilitation and residential participants to explore artistic mediums – which culminates in an annual art show.
Haven Kids Rock, our after-school performing arts program, allows young people to channel their experiences into music, dance, and theater.
Our Home of Integrated Behavioral Health partners with our Strong Families and Communities Training Center to provide seasonal art-centered community events across New York City that engage children and families alike.

Learn more about our Fontana Center’s Artist Collective

Watch Haven Kids Rock perform ‘Here Today, Gone Tomorrow’

We can’t do this vital work without your help. Your gift this holiday season brings art and other essential programs to more children, adults, and families across our community.

December 29, 2022/by Elefant Design

Health and Behavioral Health, Media Coverage

Center for Health Care Strategies: Engaging Communities of Color to Promote Health Equity: Five Lessons from New York-Based Health Care Organizations

In a new brief focusing on 5 exemplary NY-based organizations, Center for Health Care Strategies profiled our Home of Integrated Behavioral Health and its efforts promoting health equity and culturally competent care.

December 22, 2022/by Elefant Design

Education, Media Coverage

City & State: The 2022 Responsible 100

Reïna Batrony, our Vice President of Community-Based and Education Strategies, was honored in City & State’s 2022 Responsible 100! This list recognizes New York business, government, nonprofit and advocacy leaders who embody the values of social responsibility in their work.

As Reïna states, “Social responsibility means long-term viability and sustainability that benefits society. It guides individuals’ and organizations’ responsibility to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to build toward independence.”

Read more on City & State

December 13, 2022/by Elefant Design

Blog, Partnerships

After 15 Years of Wishing, Anthony’s Dreams of Independence Came True

Remember the excitement of moving out on your own? Many New Yorkers may never get the opportunity – but they will now thanks to you and thanks to The Foundling. While those growing up without support systems or with developmental disabilities may dream of having their own home, they often struggle to find clear pathways to achieve that goal.

Today, residents in our Supportive Housing programs are seeing their dreams of independence come true. Vital Brookdale, our first supportive housing complex, provides purpose-built apartments and on-site guidance for young people aging out of foster care and adults with developmental disabilities: two groups that often struggle to secure and maintain housing.

In the videos below, see the benefits of this unique approach!

Meet Anthony, one of Vital Brookdale’s new residents

Meet our Supportive Housing team: The Foundling’s ‘Dreammakers’

The Foundling is committed to providing opportunities like this for our community – but we can only do it with your help. Your gift this holiday season will allow more people like Anthony to reach their full potential.

December 9, 2022/by Elefant Design

Child Welfare, Media Coverage

NYN Media: Opinion – New York’s Corporal Punishment Ban is Crucial to Kids’ Mental Health

In an op-ed published in NYN Media, Dr. Mel Schneiderman, Senior VP of the Vincent J. Fontana Center for Child Protection, writes about how New York’s corporal punishment ban is crucial to kids’ mental health.

“As pandemic-related disruptive behaviors continue in schools, mental health supports are the answer,” writes Dr. Schneiderman.

Read more at NYN Media

December 6, 2022/by Elefant Design

Health and Behavioral Health, Media Coverage

Pix 11: The Impact of Diet Culture on the Holiday Season

Pix 11 recently reported on diet culture, and how the holiday season often brings out mixed messages regarding food – which can be harmful to children and teenagers. Dr. Ruth Gerson, our Senior Vice President of Mental Health Services, made an appearance to provide insight on the impact this could have on developing minds – and what parents should do to promote a healthy relationship with food during this time of year.

Watch the video:

Read more on Pix 11

December 6, 2022/by Elefant Design

Child Welfare, Media Coverage

The Hill: Kinship Care is the Future of the Child Welfare System — Let’s Make it Accessible to Everyone

In a recent op-ed for The Hill, Shannon Ghramm-Smith – our Senior Vice President of Child Welfare and Behavioral Health – writes on the benefits of kinship foster care. Kinship care, where a family member serves as a foster parent, often results in much better outcomes for children and families. While it’s underutilized and often inaccessible, Ghramm-Smith argues that Congress and state legislators should work to change this.

Read more at The Hill

December 4, 2022/by Elefant Design