Day Habilitation Archives - The New York Foundling

Day Habilitation, Developmental Disabilities, Impact Stories

L.B. Finds Community in our Day Habilitation Program

Our Day Habilitation programs meet each person where they’re at, and for L.B., this personalized and community-centric approach has made all the difference. His mother, Karen, had enrolled him in other day programs in the past, but The Foundling’s program was the only one that has worked. Our activities – trips to the mall, karaoke sessions, and other opportunities to experience the world – was adaptable to his skills and goals, and he even began making friends in the program. “He didn’t want to be in a classroom at a table reading and flipping magazines, he wanted to be out in the community,” Karen shares. “[The Foundling’s program] has really accessed his strengths.”

“I feel trusting—here’s a place that my son is going that I know he’s going to be ok at the end of the day,” says Karen.

December 18, 2025/by Carmen Rojas

Day Habilitation, Developmental Disabilities

Elizabeth Finds her Voice through Art

For many people with developmental disabilities, it can be difficult to express oneself through language and actions. In our Day Habilitation programs, we work to elevate the voices of our participants, and provide them with meaningful tools for self-expression and fulfillment. Through art workshops – from photography to poetry – many of our participants found that art provided a novel way to truly share their voices and experiences with the world. “Art makes me feel terrific and excellent,” says Elizabeth, who shared many of her photographs in our 2022 art exhibition. “I feel happy. I learned about myself.”

May 11, 2022/by Elefant Design

Community Habilitation, Day Habilitation, Developmental Disabilities, Programs

Shawn’s Road to Independence

Shawn was diagnosed with a developmental disability as a child, making everyday tasks difficult. Since 2011, he has lived at a supportive Foundling residence in Rockland County, and for the past five years, has received additional skills training through our Community Habilitation program. Given his disability, he faces numerous challenges in daily life – but with The Foundling providing a helping hand, Shawn has made tremendous strides toward independence.

For Shawn, learning to drive has been one of his personal goals for more than five years, though he hadn’t yet succeeded in passing his permit test. When Shawn’s routine was upended during the pandemic, he took a renewed approach to studying, while being supported by his Foundling Community Habilitation Specialist. Together, they reviewed sample tests and went on the road to practice concepts firsthand. In September, Shawn took the exam again—and passed with a perfect score. He now looks forward to beginning driving lessons and pursuing the new opportunities that a license will bring. With The Foundling helping him navigate, Shawn looks forward to steering the way toward further independence.

December 22, 2020/by Elefant Design

Community Habilitation, Day Habilitation, Developmental Disabilities, Programs, Residential Services

Michael is striving towards independence

Michael, who has lived in a Foundling residence since 2014, has made great strides in his path toward independence and personal growth. With the help of caring staff both at his home and within our Day Habilitation program, he has overcome behavioral challenges over the past 6 years, and is now taking charge of his future. He enjoys watching movies, spending time with housemates and staff, and is taking on progressively harder tasks around the home, including yard work, grocery shopping, and cleaning. Michael continues to grow and pursue new opportunities and interests, and he’s also actively looking for a full time job.

July 30, 2020/by Elefant Design