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The curtain rose Wednesday night in Midtown on ‘Shelter Me,’ a very special music written and starring teens from the south Bronx, telling real-life stories of children in New York City’s shelter system, Fox 5 News reports.

Read more at Fox 5 NY, or watch the video report below:

NY1 Noticias reports on Haven Kids Rock’s latest show – Shelter Me, The Musical. Reporter Jean Paul Davila spoke to two of the show’s young performers, as well as Nef Jones and Jimi Bones – the program’s founders and leaders.

Watch and learn more on NY1 Noticias

Monica Makes it Happen

Monica Morales of Pix 11 recently featured Melanie Hartzog, our President & CEO, on her ‘Monica Makes it Happen’ show – focusing on the housing and supportive services provided by The Foundling.

Watch it below:

MonicaMoralesPix11

Pix11 journalist Monica Morales, host of this year’s Fall Fête, interviewed our CEO & President Melanie Hartzog, as well as Sitan Keita – a former participant in our programs. Sitan was formerly in foster care with The Foundling, and now works as a job coach in our Employment Services program. The interview highlights the support that Sitan received, and the array of our services for parents and children.

Watch the Pix11 clip below:

Melanie Hartzog

City & State New York has recognized Melanie Hartzog, The Foundling’s President & CEO, in their 2023 Nonprofit Power 100 list. This annual list highlights the most notable nonprofit leaders who are strengthening the safety net and serving the New York community.

As City & State notes, under Mel’s leadership “the child welfare organization has been touting a number of successes, including a 40% decrease in mental health crises in the city’s public schools for students participating in a Foundling program and that 95% of students transitioning out of foster care have moved into permanent housing due to a Foundling program.”

Read more at City & State New York

In The City’s recent article exploring the impact on New Yorkers if a government shutdown ends up taking place, our CEO & President Melanie Hartzog provided some insight on the food insecurity issues that could ensue, and how The Foundling is working on anticipating the needs of our community.

“We run a pop-up food pantry, so of course, we’re thinking about what additional resources could bring to bear there,” Hartzog said. “We have our charter school in the South Bronx, where we service a number of families, including child welfare-involved families, and so we’re trying to make sure that we are anticipating what their needs may be.”

Read more at The City

NYFoundling

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.”

Read more on Staten Island Advance

On November 5, 2023, over 50,000 athletes will take to the streets for a 26.2-mile route through all five boroughs of New York City – and 11 of them will be running in support of The Foundling!

Meet our team of runners below – each of them are incredible athletes, and all share a commitment to raising money to help build futures for the communities we serve in New York and Puerto Rico. Learn more about each runner, and help them reach their goals here.

 

Jean GrecsekJean Marie Grecsek

Since 2000, I’ve run over 50 distance races, including 10 full marathons. I’m a proud New Yorker, and I look for ways to give back to my community where the needs are greatest. In years past, I have combined my love of running with raising money for charities like Fred’s Team in the past, and am excited to run for The Foundling.

I knew about The Foundling because my cousin had adopted her two children through the organization years ago. I learned more recently about the wide scope of programs and services that the organization provides and I was excited to learn about an opportunity to get involved. As a mother of seven, I understand the challenges that even the most supported parents and families face, and feel that the resources that The Foundling provides to families who are struggling is critical. I’ll work hard to raise awareness and funds for the organization.

Support Jean here!

 

Suzanne O’Brien

I believe we are all here to help one another in this life.

The Foundling has given many people, couples, and families the opportunities and tools they need. This is my first time running for a cause, and I’m happy to be giving back to The New York Foundling. I grew up hearing about the organization and how wonderful their work is. I’m so proud to be a representative of the work.

Support Suzanne here!

 

Charlotte Loper

I am very excited to run for Team Foundling! As an infant, I was sick and put in the care of The Foundling Hospital. I received care and attention and was able to be placed in my family. I greatly appreciate the opportunity to give back to an organization that gave me so much, many years ago!

Support Charlotte here!

 

Ben Oxnard

I joined the New York Foundling Junior Board in 2022, and I’m happy to run and fundraise for Team Foundling this year!

Support Ben here!

 

Shawn Garrett

My connection to The Foundling is new, but I’m passionate about the mission. From a young age, I have donated my time to empowering those in impoverished communities. Helping those of lesser means is a life goal of mine. I’m excited to run and fundraise for Team Foundling.

Support Shawn here!

 

Pilar Grullon

I am a former colleague of the Foundling’s President and CEO and Chief of Staff. The Foundling understands that mental health is the foundation for stability and function and dedicates significant resources and programming to address this, especially among communities that are predisposed to experiencing mental health issues due to the challenges in their everyday lives.

Support Pilar here!

 

Niall Keane

Growing up I had always heard about The New York Foundling, an anchor institution in New York City that provides unparalleled social services in five focus areas: child welfare, developmental disabilities, education, health and behavioral health, and juvenile and criminal justice. As an organization, their work is rooted in building and nourishing community, with the goal of helping individuals reach their full potential and achieve their goals.

This year, when adversity is facing so many people and coming in so many forms, I am running the TCS New York City Marathon for The New York Foundling to support this mission of empowerment and community building. Since its founding in 1869, The Foundling has utilized evidence-based research to amend vulnerability in our communities, while concurrently bringing heart, generosity, and humanity to every person they serve.

Support Niall here!

 

Robert Holmes

I’m passionate about the community and The Foundling’s mission. With every step I take, I will be raising critical funds to support an organization in whose work and mission I deeply believe. By supporting me, you’re really supporting the 30,000 children, adults, and families in The Foundling’s programs every year.

Support Robert here!

 

Miles Kurtz

This is my first time running for a charity partner. I am passionate about The New York Foundling and their mission. I believe in providing opportunities for children regardless of circumstances so they can grow up to achieve their potential.

Support Miles here!

 

Eric Kim

Go Team Foundling!

 

Connor Zielinski

Transformational change is possible,  but sometimes only with some help. The Foundling inspires me and many others to support any way we can, and I genuinely believe in the mission. I am a massive proponent of ending the mental health stigma, and I fully believe everyone deserves a fair shot at a healthy and happy life. I want to continue to help remove obstacles for people across the community.

Support Connor here!

Haven Academy

The Imprint recently reported on the opening of the NYC Department of Education’s new office for students in foster care, and the importance of improving educational outcomes for young people in care – highlighting The Foundling’s education programs, including Haven Academy.

“For children who were removed from their home and are now in an educational setting, dealing with that trauma, and trying to focus in school is extremely difficult,” said Melanie Hartzog, president of The New York Foundling. The Foundling-supported charter school in the Bronx, Mott Haven Academy, is unique in its approach. It is believed to be the first and only school in the country created specifically for children in foster care, with specially trained staff and goals centered on students’ emotional needs as well as their academics.

Read more at The Imprint

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