On local television channel BronxNet’s Bronx Social Justice and Anti-Violence Forums, LaTasha Fermin-Williams, who leads our Juvenile and Criminal Justice programs, sat down with host Daren Jaime to discuss our use of evidence-based models to divert youth and adults from the juvenile and criminal justice systems and how we work to support families toward independence. Daren noted that “the impact [The Foundling] is making in youth and families’ lives is critical.”
Watch the interview below:
Melanie Hartzog, The Foundling’s President & CEO, was named on this year’s City & State’s Black 100 list. This annual listing “recognizes the most influential Black New Yorkers in politics, government, business and other arenas who have blazed a trail for others – and are continuing to battle in pursuit of equal rights for all.”
In an editorial co-written by our CEO and President, Melanie Hartzog, and Jennifer Geiling, CEO of Union Settlement, these two nonprofit leaders make the case for a greater investment in the city’s social service workers. They note that “Contracted nonprofits rely on government funding, with contract revenue representing upwards of 90% of many budgets….And without our hardworking and highly-skilled team members- our counselors, our health workers, our classroom teachers and aides — nonprofits and the city have no ability to deliver. Humans are of course at the core of human services.”
“With growing inflation and compressed salaries, our workforce is facing an increasingly steeper climb to build a better future for themselves and their families,” they write. “Wage increases for the social services workforce in New York City is a critical step toward wage equity and financial stability.”
Skye Ostreicher speaks to our CEO & President, Melanie Hartzog. They disucss how she parlays her government experience into the nonprofit sector to help provide social services in New York City, the upcoming opening of our Vital Brookdale supportive housing, and more.
Read more on City & State, or watch the video below:
Bill Baccaglini, The Foundling’s former President & CEO, appeared at Fordham University’s Graduate School of Social Service this week. He was conferred an honorary doctorate of humane letters, as well as gave a commencement address to this year’s class of nearly 500 graduates.
“You don’t do this because it’s easy. You’ve chosen to do this because it needs to be done,” he said in his address. “We’ve seen enough suffering to know that the true heroes are those individuals who believe that the highest calling and greatest gift is to have the opportunity and ability to improve the lives of those around them.”
The American Psychiatric Association Foundation (APAF) announced the winners of its 2022 Awards for Advancing Minority Mental Health at its annual benefit held in conjunction with APA’s 2022 Annual Meeting in New Orleans.
The Foundling was one of the recipients of this award, given our commitment to providing mental health treatment and social services targeted to the needs, strengths, and cultures of its diverse community. The award honored our goal of removing disparities, particularly in the following communities – LGBTQIA+ youth and their families; the Deaf community; and Latinx and African American families in Harlem.
Mott Haven Herald highlighted our Haven Kids Rock performing arts program in a recent feature, which features interviews with co-founder Nef Jones and two of the Haven Academy scholars currently in the program. “What I love about it is it helps me communicate with people. I can express how I feel with just singing or acting or dancing,” says one of the students. “It really connects to you in life, which sometimes can help you feel good about yourself.”
Read more at Mott Haven Herald
Bill Baccaglini, The Foundling’s former President and CEO, will be granted an honorary doctorate of humane letters by Fordham University at their May 21 commencement ceremony. He will also be the speaker at the Graduate School of Social Service ceremony on May 24.
In the latest NYN Media’s Leader to Leader spotlight, our President & CEO Melanie Hartzog discusses her new position at The Foundling, sharing details about her decision to leave the government sector for a nonprofit role, what the transition process has been like, and how to find a balance between preserving what is great about an organization and charting a new path.
Melanie Hartzog, our new CEO & President, was recognized in City & State NY’s 2022 Above & Beyond, a list recognizing 50 remarkable women – including advocates, entrepreneurs, and other outstanding individuals – who are improving New York.
As City & State notes: “Melanie Hartzog has deep roots in social services. Her experience volunteering with children of domestic violence survivors during college ignited that interest. “I suddenly decided this is what I want to do. I’ve been one of these children,” says Hartzog, who had faced food and housing insecurity while growing up as the daughter of a single mother from Guyana.” The entry goes on to detail her successes, leading her to her current position at The Foundling.
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