Stories Archive - 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

Child Welfare, Healthy Families, Impact Stories

Roxana Found Support and Opportunity as a New Parent

As a single parent, Roxana was seeking support in raising her newborn son, Nathaniel. Thanks to our Healthy Families Staten Island program, she did not have to navigate this journey alone.

Roxana’s Family Resource Specialist provided her with weekly tips and resources to help adjust to parenthood, hone parenting skills, and best support her child. She eagerly took advantage of all the opportunities provided by the program: from employing the info and resources provided to her by her Family Support Specialist to attending Foundling community events. Since entering services three years ago, she has returned to work as a paralegal and her son—now 4—is in preschool and is thriving. “Everyone at Healthy Families is so wonderful,” Roxana says.

December 18, 2025/by Elefant Design

Child Welfare, Foster Care, Mother and Child Program, Programs

Safia and her Daughter have the Space and Support to Thrive

Safia, a 15 year old honor roll student and new mother, is part of our Mother and Child program – a residential program for young mothers in foster care. The program houses adolescent mothers and their infants in a dedicated building in the Bronx, and 24/7 Foundling staff members provide childcare, parenting education, and holistic supports so mothers can finish their education, pursue career goals, learn parenting and life skills, and ultimately independently support their families.

Safia is happy to now be living in an apartment that feels like home, and to have the support of The Foundling’s staff as she completes high school while parenting her growing child. “I’m comfortable that my baby can grow up and as she grows, she’s in a safe, clean place,” Dixon said.

June 6, 2024/by Elefant Design

Developmental Disabilities, Residential Services

Jason is Surrounded by Community

As part of The Foundling’s Developmental Disabilities Residential program, Jason has been surrounded by community and support. When Vital Brookdale, our purpose-built supportive housing complex, opened recently in Brownsville, Brooklyn, Jason was able to upgrade to a brand-new 1-bedroom apartment, giving him a beautiful space to call his own as well as support from on-site Foundling staff. And, this past summer, he was able to secure a job working for NBC!

June 6, 2024/by Elefant Design

Early Head Start, Education

Lucas Learns and Grows in Head Start

In Coamo, a rural, mountainous region of Puerto Rico, it can be difficult for new mothers like Ileana to access quality resources for their kids. After much searching, she started her son Lucas in our Early Head Start program, which serves children ages 0-3 and their families. As a child with special needs, he has needed extra support—which The Foundling is equipped to provide.

Now at age 3, Lucas has transitioned into our Head Start Pre-K program where he will continue to learn and grow—with the same supportive team—until he is ready to begin school.

June 6, 2024/by Elefant Design

Child Welfare, Strengthening, Teaching, and Educating People through Support (STEPS)

Caesar and His Family Grow Stronger

When Caesar – a single father – and his adolescent children began having conflicts at home, he knew something needed to change. So, he enrolled his family in STEP-S, our in-home evidence-based program which provides weekly Functional Family Therapy to promote cohesion and stability. Now, the family is thriving. After successfully completing the program, they are implementing their newfound skills to communicate better, argue less, and strengthen their family bonds.

June 6, 2024/by Elefant Design

Developmental Disabilities, Residential Services

David Transitions to Independent Living

David was used to having others manage his life. When he came to The Foundling for the first time 16 years ago— as a resident in one of our Brooklyn homes for people with developmental disabilities—he soon learned that he could achieve more than he ever thought possible.

With the support of The Foundling, he has learned life skills, improved his health, and found independence. Faced with medical concerns, our residential staff helped him manage his own health—administering his own medications, changing his diet, and introducing exercise into his daily routine. He was also encouraged and supported in taking public transportation, allowing him to integrate into his community and gain autonomy. This past summer, he moved into his own apartment at our Vital Brookdale complex in Brooklyn— where he is set to build a lifetime of memories and accomplishments.

June 8, 2023/by Elefant Design

Education

Anastasia Earns her Degree

Anastasia is proud to have received her Bachelor’s degree from Queens College last year—and credits The Foundling’s Fostering College Success Initiative
program for helping her each step of the way. She credits the program with providing her with the skillset needed for living independently—from budgeting, to cooking, to managing her life. Living in the dorms allowed her to connect with other young people from similar backgrounds in an environment oriented toward healing and growth.”

Anastasia was inspired by her tutors’ intellect and continual support—they never judged her, kept her on track, and motivated her to major in secondary education. Because of her experience with the Fostering College Success Initiative, she is inspired to pay it forward and help others succeed academically.

June 8, 2023/by Elefant Design

Child Welfare, Juvenile & Criminal Justice, Kids Experiencing Young Successes

Diamond and Francina Find a Fresh Start

When Diamond and her mother Francina moved to New York City from Albany, they had difficulty finding stable housing and employment, and Diamond—a teenager struggling to cope with past trauma—was misbehaving, breaking rules, and fighting with her mother. With the help of The Foundling, they transformed their lives for the better. Claudia, their clinician in our KEYS program analyzed their home situation and worked to remove obstacles to the family’s success and well-being.

16 year old Diamond was connected with trauma-focused therapy, and mother and daughter were trained in communication, problem-solving, and conflict management skills. Foundling staff worked with them on job applications, helping secure a permanent position for Francina and a summer job for Diamond, and assisted with navigating bureaucratic issues in maintaining their housing. Whenever the family faced a new crisis, The Foundling was there as a support system, providing them with mental health guidance and encouragement in seeking and pursuing educational and vocational opportunities.

Now, the family is doing great— and with the tools they’ve learned, they’re ready to get through anything together.

June 8, 2023/by Elefant Design

Child Welfare, Foster Care

Nyyim Achieves his Lifelong Dream

Nyyim, a young adult in our TFFC Foster Care program, had an interest in the military since the age of 7 – and with the support of The Foundling, he completed his school’s ROTC program and became a US Marine this summer! Joseph Alexander, a Foundling staff member who has worked with Nyyim over the past two years, attended his boot camp graduation ceremony. “I was able to witness one of the most amazing young men I’ve ever known accomplish the dream that has carried him through a rather difficult childhood,” he shared.

July 5, 2022/by Elefant Design