Internships present a great opportunity for students and young adults to learn about working at a nonprofit. This summer, a group of interns from across New York City had the chance to see our work in action, collaborate with staff and make a difference in the lives of the people and communities we serve. Each week this summer, we will highlight one of our interns, sharing what makes them special, and recognizing their accomplishments and achievements.

Where do you go to school?

I have an associate degree in Business Administration and this fall I am transferring to City Tech as a Hospitality major.

What is your favorite subject in school to study?

My favorite subject is math—I’m good with numbers, it has always come easy to me.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

In five years I would love to own my own soul food restaurant. Ideally, I would like to open the restaurant somewhere where it’s hot, like Miami. I love hot weather. My back up plan is to manage a hotel.

Who is your role model and why?

My older cousin is my role model because she had a rough childhood and was still able to graduate not only high school, but go onto college as well. She is now a nurse and is always helping others and me. Just because you have a rough childhood doesn’t mean you can’t be someone.

What project did you work on while working at The Foundling?

One of the projects I valued the most was researching advertising space for National Adoption Month. Adoption is very important to me as my sister was adopted. I am happy I was able to help spread the word about adoption and make it a more popularized issue.

What will you take away from your experience at The Foundling?

I’ve learned to be detail oriented and that more information is always better.

What piece of advice would you tell future Foundling Interns?

While you’re at The Foundling you’re going to learn a lot, so just soak it up. Everyone at The Foundling is friendly, and they are happy to give you advice and help you out. Also, the 99¢ Pizza place near the West 4^th subway stop is pretty good.

What is your spirit animal and why?

I’m cat because I’m quite and observant.

If you could take a trip anywhere, where would you go and why?

I would love to take a trip somewhere in Africa so I could help children in need. I would also like to see Dubai.

What is the last book you read?

The last book I read was “A Child Called It: One Child’s Courage to Survive” by Dave Pelzer but I also recently read “Oedipus” by Sophocles which was really interesting and different from anything I have ever read before.

Internships present a great opportunity for students and young adults to learn about working at a nonprofit. This summer, a group of interns from across New York City had the chance to see our work in action, collaborate with staff and make a difference in the lives of the people and communities we serve. Each week this summer, we will highlight one of our interns, sharing what makes them special, and recognizing their accomplishments and achievements.

Where do you go to school?

I’m a rising junior at Stanford University. In the fall I will be studying in Washington D.C. for the quarter.

What is your favorite subject in school to study?

Entrepreneurship, Strategic Philanthropy, and Social Impact. I love tackling issues, brain storming, pitching ideas and being hands on.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

In five years, I hope to have completed business school and to be an entrepreneur by starting my own endeavor or by getting more involved with an existing establishment. In addition, I hope to have opportunities to contribute creative ideas, work on teams, and lead while making a positive impact on society as a whole. I also plan to stay active and continue my training in rowing (I am currently a member of the Lightweight Rowing Team at Stanford). I especially want the experience of rowing with siblings.

Who is your role model and why?

My parents are my role models because they have so much love to give to others and they have taught my five siblings and me to do the same. They have instilled the belief that hard work, faith and family are of the utmost importance and that we are empowered to make the world a better place. The dedication to service inspired me to found a service project during my freshman year of college. In Project S.W.E.E.P. (Stanford Women’s Educational Erging Program), my teammates on the rowing team and I teach disadvantaged youth how to use the rowing machines. We were also able to take them to the boathouse which was an amazing experience. I love the sport of rowing and feel fortunate to have opportunities to give back.

What project did you work on while at The Foundling?

One of my projects while at The Foundling has been in finding the contact person who will run the Employee Wellness Initiative.  I love people and it goes to show you how one conversation from your personal life can lead to a major change in one’s work life.  Employee Wellness has been a great group effort and I am happy I could help out.

What will you take away from your experience at The Foundling?

I value the strong relationships I have developed with the entire Business Operations team. They have been such great mentors and strong role models. I will continue to reach out for wisdom and advice as The Foundling is such a supportive environment.

What piece of advice would you tell future Foundling Interns?

Do not be afraid to propose new ideas. Also remember that you have the potential to make a positive impact no matter what your tasks may be.

What is your spirit animal and why?

I would have to say I am a squirrel. I have lots of energy and like squirrels; I like the idea of storing, planning, and preparing. Not to mention, I love eating healthy and I always have nuts with me for snacking.

If you could take a trip anywhere, where would you go and why?

London with my family! I went to preschool there and loved it, but I want to experience it now that I am older. My family is a significant aspect in my life so it’s extremely important to me that they get to enjoy it too.

What is the last book you read, what are you reading now?

The last book I read was Sheryl Sandberg’s “Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead”, it’s empowering for women in business and focuses on staying confident. Currently, I am reading “Rhythm of Life: Living Everyday with Passion and Purpose” by Matthew Kelly who is a Catholic speaker and runs a consulting agency which shows you, you don’t have to choose, you can have faith and everything else too.

The Following post was written by Bill Baccaglini, President and CEO of The Foundling, for The Huffington Post.

Many readers have experienced the magic of summer camp—days spent basking in the sun, swimming and splashing around the pool or lake, playing sports, running around, making new friends, and enjoying beautiful summer nights around a campfire telling ghost stories. Those were the days we lived for as children and the joys we hope our children will know as well. In addition, summer camp instills in children a reliance on daily structure and responsibility for the care of personal items and surroundings, lessons that sneak in amongst the fun and friends.

Unfortunately, not everyone has the opportunity to experience carefree summers or the lessons that camp holds. This is especially true for the thousands of children living in foster care or are otherwise involved in the child welfare system.

This is where The New York Foundling and Felix Organization come into play. Since 2006, these two organizations have given the gift of Camp Felix, a sleep-away in upstate New York, to over 1,000 children living in welfare or foster care. Camp Felix is the only overnight camp for children in the child welfare system near the New York City area that is operated by a child welfare agency at no cost to caregivers.

Designed to meet the needs of kids who have experienced abuse, neglect, and trauma at a young age, Camp Felix offers a wide range of sports, games, and activities, and addresses the social-emotional needs of campers while offering the support these children need to heal and grow.

Staff and counselors receive extensive training in order to work at Camp Felix. They create clear expectations and a sense of structure for campers.  Kids who’ve been awakened at night, told to pack and move to a new home, now have a predictable schedule and a routine they can count on.

On the surface, casual observers might see the same activities they’d see at any other camp, but at Camp Felix, engagement requires more.  Counselors focus on building campers’ self-reliance and self-confidence, with the opportunity to gain a sense of accomplishment through simple, everyday experiences. 

Campers receive different colored wristbands to identify how well they can swim and if they can swim in the deep end. As their swimming ability advances over the course of the summer, achievements are reflected in the brightly colored wristbands. It’s gratifying and uplifting to see the pride these children feel when they “graduate” from the pool’s shallow end to the deep end. As simple as this may seem, for the children The Foundling serves, this can be one of the first times they’ve received a tangible and public acknowledgement for something they’ve accomplished on their own and can be proud of.

Campers participate in Arts and Crafts, learn to play tennis, compete in basketball tournaments, play musical instruments, plus a host of other outdoor activities such as rock-climbing that are geared towards helping them overcome their fears, build confidence and form bonds with staff members and campers who share a similar background.

Indications of success can be found in the many volunteers at Camp Felix who were once campers themselves; 30 returning campers have become Counselors-in-Training and five volunteers are on their way to becoming full-time staff.

Camp Felix offers a vulnerable population the chance to thrive, grow, and be carefree kids. These children, perhaps more than anyone, have earned the right to have fun and learn that they can accomplish anything they set their minds to.