Communities That Care

Charmain Charles
Foundling Adoptee

Charmain was adopted through The Foundling, but did not learn her family history until later in life.

“20 years ago, I was working in Early Intervention, with a baby who was sent to The Foundling,” she says. “I asked, do you have records?” After sending them her information, she was surprised to receive pages and pages of documents. Charmain learned that she lived at The Foundling from birth to age 2. Shortly after being released to her birth mother, who was unable to provide care, Charmain ended up back at The Foundling and into the foster care system.

Charmain – along with her brother – were soon adopted by Ms. Lewis, a 65 year old woman. Her mother “did her best, and her best helped me reach my fullest potential,” she says. “I understand that the nurturing and support that I received early on [from The Foundling], and then being with my mom – who adopted me at the age of 4 – set the foundation for who I am today.”

In the past year, with the help of DNA testing, Charmain has found members of her birth family.  “After finding them a year ago, I realized my birth mother made the best decision she could,” Charmain says. “And with her decision and The Foundling, I was saved.”