Stories Archive - Page 2 of 5 - The New York Foundling

Marquise and his Tutor Formed a Close Bond

Marquise was struggling academically, found it difficult to focus on life goals, and was often distrustful and distant around others — including his foster mother. Then he joined The Foundling’s Road to Success tutoring program. Once realizing that his tutor, Khristian, was there to help him, Marquise began to open up and see new possibilities. Marquise and his tutor formed a close bond, and while Khristian provided life-changing academic support, he also became Marquise’s friend and mentor. And their relationship did more than improve Marquise’s grades. He has more confidence, and his relationship with his foster mother has completely changed for the better. Now, Marquise is on track in his high school courses, and is excited to plan for higher education and beyond.

December 7, 2021/by Elefant Design

Early Head Start, Education, Head Start

Bianca Came to our Early Head Start Center for Support

Bianca, now a mother of three, came to The Foundling’s Early Head Start Center in San Juan when she learned she was pregnant with her first son, Kermitt, for pre-natal guidance and parent resources and support. Working in partnership with Head Start specialists, Bianca later learned that Kermitt had mild attention deficit challenges. Kermitt began to receive the services and help he needed to succeed in school.

Now 10 years old, Kermitt is on the Honor Roll in school, and Bianca’s two younger daughters are currently receiving support and services through Head Start as well. Thanks to the Head Start program, Bianca’s three children are thriving today—and she is too.

December 7, 2021/by Elefant Design

Child Welfare, Foster Care

Nina, Grace, and Logan are a Family

When Nina opened her home as a foster parent to two siblings, she committed to making them feel safe, secure, and loved. The Foundling provided guidance, intensive therapy services, and more to support her and the children as they healed from past trauma and adjusted to a new environment.

Thanks to The Foundling’s support, Nina, Grace, and Logan are now a thriving family – and with adoption paperwork finalized last year, they will have each other for a lifetime. “They’re biological siblings, and it’s amazing that they get to be together – I think they feel blessed, and I also feel blessed,” says Nina.

December 7, 2021/by Elefant Design

Developmental Disabilities, Employment Services

Lowell Dreamed of Having a Job

Lowell, who lives in one of our Bronx residences for people with developmental disabilities, knew he wanted to work. However, people with disabilities have some of the lowest employment rates in the country, and it was difficult for him to achieve this goal. Years passed without any progress – until he enrolled in The Foundling’s Employment Services in 2018. The program was exactly what he was looking for. Matched with a supportive coach, he began to learn the basics of being in the workforce. He embarked on dedicated skills training, and received expert guidance as he identified jobs that fit with his interests and aptitudes. Through several volunteer positions in the community, he learned how to follow directions and conduct himself in the workplace. While some skills took some time to master, and the COVID-19 pandemic posed further disruptions, Lowell continued to have hope. He never gave up on his goal – and neither did his Foundling job coach. This summer, those efforts paid off as he accepted his first job as a team member with Shake Shack, working at a location in the Bronx! Now, he starts his days with purpose, and enjoys doing meaningful paid work in the community. With The Foundling’s continued partnership, Lowell has a bright future ahead.

December 7, 2021/by Elefant Design

Foundling Past Story

Robert Sensale

Robert Sensale
Foundling Adoptee

“You couldn’t find two luckier people than my sister and I, that we ended up with my mom and dad,” says Robert. “Jimmy Stewart got the movie, A Wonderful Life, but I got to live it.”

Adopted from The Foundling in 1959, he has kept up a lifelong connection with the organization. Along with his sister, many of his other neighbors and friends growing up had been adopted from The Foundling. And 20 years ago, after seeing a Foundling publication featuring Sister Mary DeSales – the woman who had placed him with his family – he reconnected with her. She remembered Robert and his family, and the two ended up having weekly phone calls. Additionally, Robert and his family would visit with her and the other Sisters of Charity at the retirement home where they lived.

“We all went to The New York Foundling’s 140^th anniversary, and there were a number of women there that were nurses in that era,” Robert says. “And you could see them all looking at us – ‘I wonder if I took care of this child, did I hold this child, did I change his diaper?’ It was a really wonderful bonding experience. And to see Sister for the last years of her life was an absolute blessing.”

Robert currently lives in New Jersey , and works as an attorney for a Wall Street investment bank. With his late wife, he has one biological son and three adopted daughters. “Life is good,” he says.

July 20, 2021/by Elefant Design

Foundling Past Story

Greg Markway

Greg Markway
Foundling Descendant

“I found [my grandfather’s] World War 1 draft card, and under place of birth it said ‘unknown’. That just hit me, to just not really know where you came from. It just struck me in a personal way. I felt like I was meant to be doing this search,” says Greg.

Greg’s search for his grandfather’s past has been a long and rewarding experience. “The entire family knows that he came from The New York Foundling and on an Orphan Train, but we knew nothing else about him… I’ve always wanted to know his history.” In recent years, Greg and his relatives have embarked on a journey to learn more – and through DNA testing and extensive research, he has been able to piece together the story.

He learned that his grandfather rode the Orphan Train in 1901, coming to central Missouri. He was adopted by the Markway family, where he was one of 12 children. “One of the interesting parts of the story is that somewhere in 1920, he had returned to New York and found out who his mother was,” Greg says. “I think it always weighed on him that he had been left at The Foundling, but at the same time, he always had a connection to The Foundling.”

The search has not only brought Greg closer to his family, but has provided a newfound community as well. Greg has met others involved in Orphan Train history, started an online group for Foundling Orphan Train descendants, and now enjoys helping others with their own historical research. As Greg says, “Everyone’s story is different. It’s just fascinating to me because I’m a history buff, and a psychologist, and all my interests come together here… And I think we’re all searching for something about where we came from.”

Learn more about Greg’s search for his family history on his blog.

July 20, 2021/by Elefant Design

Foundling Past Story

Nicole Munhoo

Nicole Munhoo
Foundling Adoptee

Nicole was adopted in 1980 from The Foundling as a 5-month-old baby. “My mother has a story about how she fell in love the first time she saw me as an infant,” she says.

Growing up with her adoptive parents in Long Island, NY, and in Florida, Nicole gravitated toward music and the arts at a young age. “As an adoptee, the arts really engaged me, they helped me emotionally, and I didn’t feel lonely because the arts programs filled a void,” she says. Nicole played French horn throughout school, and found a job as a professional player with the U.S. Army during college. While she is still engaged in the arts, Nicole attended graduate school for business, and now works as a program analyst in the Washington, D.C. metro area.

“My parents were great parents, they raised me very well and were supportive of my artistic endeavors and me pursuing college,” Nicole says. However, she has been committed to finding her biological family – particularly after the birth of her son, Cortez. “Until I was in my early 30s, I didn’t know any of my biological relatives,” she shares. “My adoption was ‘closed’ so I only had non-identifying information available to me. I called The Foundling, and I searched records—I decided it was time to find out more.” Nicole has found some answers through DNA testing, but is currently still searching for her immediate biological family.

April 29, 2021/by Elefant Design

Behavioral Health, School Based Mental Health Services

Delany and her Family’s Partnership with The Foundling

Middle school is tough for all children of all backgrounds, but Delany struggled more than most. In 6^th grade, her deep struggles with anxiety, sadness, and insecurity severely impacted her life at school and home. She was intensely consumed with worry, and didn’t know how to process these feelings.

When school staff referred her to The Foundling’s School-Based Mental Health program, her outlook began to change. The program, which operates in 20 select New York City public schools, provides students with access to one-on-one therapists and a safe space to explore their thoughts. As Delany began working with a Foundling therapist, she learned strategies to cope and renew her focus – tools that have helped in her successful transition to high school. When the pandemic struck last year, Delany’s younger sister, Melody, began to experience significant anxiety resulting from all the disruptions to her life. This time, Melody and Delany’s mother knew where to turn. She reached out to The Foundling, and Melody was matched with a Foundling school-based therapist who helped her build her own set of tools to work through her anxiety. For the entire family, The Foundling is a vital partner, providing the support and mental tools to move forward.

These sisters and their loving mother know they can count on The Foundling – no matter where their path leads.

December 22, 2020/by Elefant Design

Behavioral Health, Child Welfare, Supportive Housing

Denisha Pursues Her Dreams

After enduring physical violence at home and battling chronic depression, Denisha left home at age 14 and spent her teenage years in foster care. As Denisha approached her 18^th birthday, she sought more independence – a transition that is hard for young people in foster care, who often lack a traditional support system. Denisha was driven to succeed, however, and applied to The Foundling’s Supportive Housing Program: a residential program that works with young adults to eliminate barriers to independent living.

Partnering with Foundling staff, Denisha was able to address her mental health needs, learn important life skills, become financially stable, and pursue her educational aspirations. The Foundling was Denisha’s safety net as she learned the skills she needed to succeed on her own. This year, Denisha completed a Master’s program in early childhood education, was hired as a full-time 1^st grade teacher, and recently moved into her own apartment. With The Foundling’s continued guidance, Denisha is excited for the next stage of her journey, and looks forward to what the future will bring.

December 22, 2020/by Elefant Design

Community Habilitation, Day Habilitation, Developmental Disabilities

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

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