In honor of National Nutrition Month this March, the dietitians at NY Foundling want to make sure you have as many tools as possible to make healthy choices!

National Nutrition Month was created by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics as an annual campaign to educate and inform people about the importance of eating well and being physically active.  The best way to build a new routine is to start with small, attainable goals that you can build on over time.  Here are some examples you could start today!

• Add 1 serving of fruits and vegetables to your daily diet this week. Add another one next week.  After just one month, you could be meeting or exceeding the recommended 5-9 daily servings.  Not only will you be getting a ton of nutrients that your body needs, but you’ll be so full of good stuff that you won’t be tempted by that pint of ice cream in the freezer!

• Drink up! Dehydration can cause issues like fatigue, headaches, and muscle cramps, and it can even be mistaken for hunger!  Keeping a refillable water bottle with you at all times will help you remember to drink it.  Don’t like the taste of water?  Infuse it with fruit and/or herbs like mint or ginger to add flavor and you’ll find yourself wanting more!

• Go for a post-lunch stroll. Even just 15 minutes of walking after a meal will burn some of those calories, improve blood sugar and aid in digestion.

• Try something new and healthy this month. That superfood you keep hearing about but have been afraid to try?  Take a chance!  You might be surprised by how good healthy can taste!

For more up-to-date information and tips for nutrition and wellness, visit www.eatright.org.

March is Social Work Month and today we celebrate Toni R. Verdejo, senior therapist for The Foundling’s Bronx FFT-CW.

Toni R. Verdejo has been with NYF a little over a year. She joined the team at a time whereby the Bronx FFT-CW was shifting its culture to provide top quality evidence informed clinical practice to families in the South Bronx. Toni has embodied the programs mission of doing whatever it takes for her families and team to address the needs of the community.

As a child residing in the Bronx, Toni aspiration was to serve the Bronx Community as a mental health provider as she observed the stigmas and the negative discussion that members of the community discussed. She pursued higher education and engaged in activities that would increase her knowledge but also her skill level in managing the needs of all populations.

While at the NYF she has demonstrated her skills in implementing evidence informed strategies that reflect the unique needs of each family she serve. She has currently joined the leadership team by becoming her teams Senior Therapist. The Programs looks forward in enhancing her leadership skills while nurturing her clinical practice. She is a true assets to the Bronx FFT-CW.

“The most rewarding aspects of my role as a Senior Therapist involves seeing the families I work with uncover their strengths and acknowledge their resilience to overcome difficult times. The opportunity to see my families transition from surviving to thriving is a privilege I remind myself of everyday. Similarly, I enjoy seeing my team and fellow clinicians grow through hard work, grit, and a sense of humor. It is an honor to work alongside people whose passions and values align with my own. Most importantly, the greatest aspect of this role is striving to embody the characteristics I want to see in the world: being open, empathic, and knowing when to have a good laugh.”

– Toni R. Verdejo

Thank you to all our social workers, case planners, and entire staff! Make sure to keep an eye out for next week’s Highlighted Social Worker of the Month!

March is Social Work Month and today we celebrate Bonnie Loughner, supervisor for The Foundling’s STEPS program.

Bonnie was nominated by her peers as someone who embodies the essence of social justice and the ethics and principles of social work. Since at the Foundling she has played two different roles and both of which she has done with an undying passion, commitment, skill level, care, and fire that stands out from the rest. She spends her days not only supporting her team as a supervisor but families as well.

Bonnie’s team always feels the emotional support in a field that can feel relentless but also feels her push for excellence and growth. Her families feel her genuine care and concern for their lives. Outside of her work, she is very close to her family and friends and is always working to celebrate their lives. She has a brand new niece who brings the biggest smile to her face every time she talks about her. She loves to travel to Spanish speaking countries as she is fluent in the language and is an avid Yogi. Bonnie is truly “a gem” and such an asset to New York Foundling but, most importantly, the field of social work.

 “The most rewarding part of being a social worker is being able to support and empower families to identify their strengths and unrelenting resilience. Being a social worker means that I am fortunate enough to help families address the systemic challenges that stand in their way, and work to identify the tools and skills that will enable them to create their own unique lives.”

– Bonnie Loughner

 

Thank you to all our social workers, case planners, and entire staff! Make sure to keep an eye out for next week’s Highlighted Social Worker of the Month!

This past January, over 30 Camp Felix campers along with their families and camp staff members attended the Camp Felix annual reunion at Dave and Busters. Having this annual reunion allows our campers to reconnect with the friends and staff that made a positive impact on their lives during their memorable summer at camp.

The mother of a Camp Felix participant had the following to say about his time at camp and their experience at the reunion.

“Camp Felix reunion was awesome. I was so happy my kids got to catch up with their friends as well as reconnect with their counselors who were so supportive of them over the summer, all while having so much fun.

Allen says Camp Felix is his secret getaway for the summer vacation because he can be himself and made a lot of friends and no one even knows that he has ADHD because everyone is too busy having fun. This truly warmed my heart because he struggles making friends at school because his medication makes him distant and moody.

I truly appreciate Camp Felix staff for their support and helping to make my kids have safe and joyful summers.”

To learn more about the only overnight camp for children in the child welfare system visit: Camp Felix