© 2023 New York Foundling, Inc • 501(c)(3) • Tax ID #13-1624123
Terms of Use • Internet Privacy Policy • Notice of Privacy Practices • Financials • Report a Concern • Spanish • Website by Elefant
On Thursday, September 30, we livestreamed a special Fireside Chat featuring current President and CEO, Bill Baccaglini, and Melanie Hartzog, his successor, in conversation.
It was a wonderful discussion about the vital work that is done at The Foundling each day, and an opportunity to meet our incoming leader. Hartzog discussed her background and experience in child welfare, and shared her vision for continuing The Foundling’s legacy of supporting children, adults, and families across our five service areas – particularly as our community continues to grapple with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In case you missed it, the full video is available below.
Team Foundling is in the midst of training, fundraising, and preparing for the 2021 TCS NYC Marathon! On Sunday, November 7, our nine runners will hit the streets for a 26.2 mile course through all five boroughs of New York City.
Read about each team member below, and learn how you can support them and The Foundling:
Dan Eatroff
Dan began long-distance running three years ago, and finds it a meditative act. He is excited to run his first marathon, while supporting our community! He’s been training for the past few months, and aims to finish the marathon in less than 4 hours.
“I became involved with The Foundling recently and was impressed with the array of services they offer to the foster care community,” he says. “I want to support The New York Foundling’s team because I can make a valuable difference and educate my network to expand the Foundling’s reach.”
James Grasso
James, who has been on our Junior Board since 2018, is excited to be a part of Team Foundling and to run the NYC Marathon! “I started running in high school on my cross country team and realized I both loved running and wasn’t so bad either,” he says. “I continued running through college on both the cross country and track and field teams. I like how you can always compete against yourself and carefully track your progress.”
He is passionate about The Foundling’s mission, and has been looking at ways to support and raise money for our programs for quite some time. “I was very lucky to grow up with all the resources I ever needed, but I realize that many New Yorkers are born into difficult situations – and need help in the form of money, education, support.”
Michelle Hadley
Michelle has been an avid runner since running Varsity Cross Country in high school. “Running is the best, totally free therapy. No matter what you’ve been through or what you’re going through right now, a run can help you clear your head and move past the tough stuff in a productive way. Plus, I love how much guilt-free eating I can do,” she says.
Michelle joined The Foundling’s Junior Board this year, and is excited to use this opportunity to fundraise for our programs. She last ran the NYC Marathon in 2019, and is looking forward to beating her time and raising more money this year. “The only thing that gets me to run a marathon is a good cause, she shares. “It’s the perfect combination of two things I love passionately – giving back and running my heart out!”
She encourages other people to give back and provide support: “I’ve been through a lot in my life, but when I think back on how I had two loving parents and always had enough resources, I realize how truly lucky I am. I don’t see how any of us can live a day on this earth knowing there are children who don’t have that and not caring enough to do something about it. Be the person that does something about it.”
Learn more and support Michelle!
Kendra Morgan
Learn more and support Kendra!
Dr. Roslyn Murov
Learn more and support Dr. Murov!
Mike Russo
Max Shapiro
Max is traveling to NYC from Los Angeles to run in his first marathon! “The motivation to run a marathon specifically came from my Dad,” he shares. “The way he has describes his experience running the New York City marathon has made it a long-time goal of mine.” He learned about The Foundling from one of his college friends, and was impressed with the organization’s work. “As I began to consider the prospect of running a marathon, I knew The New York Foundling’s team was who I wanted to run for,” he says.
Max began running long distance in March 2020, as gyms were closing due to the pandemic. Despite hating running in the past, he now finds it a great physical and mental outlet. “Whether I’m running for 30 minutes or two hours, the time allows me to disconnect and reflect in a way nothing else does,” he says. “And nothing beats the moments during a run when you lose track of time, distance, and feel like you can run forever.”
Max is looking forward to everything related to the marathon: “The training, the fundraising, meeting other members of the Foundling team, and of course… The finish line!”
Emily Tsang
Emily, who serves on our Junior Board, has been training for the past six months to run the NYC Marathon. She enjoys running as a hobby – viewing it as a meditation-like activity. It has been her life goal to run a marathon, and she’s excited to achieve this while supporting a great cause.
“There are many people who find themselves in situations out of their control. Everybody has the right to have a place to turn to and find aid in those situations and to have access to opportunities regardless of socioeconomic status,” she says. “The New York Foundling provides a range of amazing resources to thousands of people in need, and this is a great way to be a part of that!”
Molly Clarke
Each year, City Winery creates an exclusive wine to benefit our shared community, with a percentage of proceeds donated directly back to The Foundling. Just in time for summer, our wine is returning with two great ways to show your support: order We Are Intertwined, a 2019 “Rosé of Press,” in select New York City restaurants – or purchase online to enjoy at home!
Each year, The Foundling partners with City Winery to produce an exclusive wine that benefits our community. With a portion of proceeds going directly to support The Foundling, this is an easy way to support the children, adults, and families in our programs, while enjoying a limited-edition summer wine. This year’s offering, We Are Intertwined, is a fine Rosé of Syrah sourced from high-quality Californian terroir.
The wine is available online for purchase here, with free delivery in the New York City area. For $119, you will receive a case: 3 bottles of our custom Rosé and 3 bottles of sparkling Cava (6 total). A portion of your purchase will directly go to The Foundling’s COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund.
At The Foundling, we are committed to providing strength, stability, and hope to our neighbors – and right now, our programs are more important than ever. With your purchase of We are Intertwined, you can join us in providing support to the New York City community during these uncertain times.
Performances begin March 4 at Rattlestick Playwrights Theater for the world premiere of Ren Dara Santiago’s The Siblings Play. Directed by Jenna Worsham (Agnes) the new work marks the professional playwriting debut of Fila-Rican playwright Santiago.
Set in a rent-stabilized Harlem apartment in 2014, The Siblings Play follows three teenagers left to raise each other in their parents’ absence. The play looks at the ways in which they protect, love, fight, and diminish in the wake of their family history; and the complexity of what it means to grow up with parents who are too young to be parents in the first place…
The Siblings Play is working with six community partners, Counseling in the Schools, The Drama Club, Healing Tree, New York Foundling, Student Leadership Network, and The Possible Project on a series of post-show conversations, student matinees, and work experience.
For 50 years, the TCS New York City Marathon – the world’s largest marathon – has been a source of inspiration for runners throughout the world. On November 1, 2020, over 50,000 athletes will once again take to the streets for a 26.2-mile route through all five boroughs of the City. While the general admission lottery is now closed, charity partners – like The Foundling – still have marathon spots available.
In partnership with New York Road Runners, The New York Foundling is proud to sponsor a team of five dedicated runners. Team members fundraise $3,000 for our programs, and in exchange, they receive marathon entry, VIP benefits, and encouragement from our Foundling community. For the past three years, The Foundling’s marathon team has raised thousands of dollars to support our children, adults, and families in transforming their lives, while having the opportunity to participate in their own life-changing experience.
Our team will fill up quickly – apply by March 27 to secure your spot! For more information on joining the team, please visit our team page or contact Nicholas Kohomban at Nicholas.Kohomban@NYFoundling.org or 212-206-4124.
The Foundling’s President and CEO, Bill Baccaglini, was named one of New York City’s top nonprofit leaders by City and State.
56. Bill Baccaglini
When Bill Baccaglini took over The New York Foundling in 2003, he was tasked with getting the nonprofit out of a $7.5 million deficit. Not only did he succeed, he has cemented the Foundling’s position as one of the country’s largest child welfare organizations. Baccaglini has made education the focus of the 150-year-old organization’s work, particularly with the launch of Mott Haven Academy Charter School and its recent expansion.
Each November, runners from across the world line up in Staten Island to race through the five boroughs in the annual TCS New York City Marathon. The 2019 marathon on Sunday, November 3 is not only an opportunity for athletes to compete in the world-renowned 26.2-mile race, but also a special opportunity for nearly 400 charity partners to fundraise through the support of running teams.
For the third year in a row, The Foundling is an Official Charity Partner of the TCS New York City Marathon with a team of five official runners! By helping our team in their efforts, you’ll also be helping the 30,000 children, youth, individuals, and families who rely on The Foundling’s programs and services each day. A donation to any of our runners’ campaigns will help support our team as they gear up for the big race.
Meet our runners and learn more about what motivates them to run for The Foundling!
From her home in Eastern France, Laurène didn’t imagine that she would be running the NYC Marathon anytime soon. When her friend Claire told her there was an open slot on Team Foundling, she leapt at the opportunity to support us! Here are some words from Laurène herself:
Hi all! My name is Laurène and I’m a young French woman. I am inspired by the strength of children and families in the foster care system and I’m happy to spread awareness for everything that The Foundling does.
Every January 1st, I wrote my list of resolutions. Every day gives us the opportunity to be better and do something different, but the new year is special in that it feels like a clear turn of the page. Running a marathon has always been part of the list but I never thought that 2019 would be THE year. A couple of weeks separates us from the TCS New York Marathon now and I am both nervous about being able to complete it and proud to run for The New York Foundling. This is my first marathon but this is also my first real fundraising experience and it makes the training so much more meaningful. Running has helped me a lot and helping others is a great way to give back!
Claire has been a close friend of The Foundling since joining the development team of our supporters French-American Aid for Children. This will be Claire’s first marathon, and she’s excited to be joined by her dear friend from home, Laurène.
For several years, Ryan has witnessed The Foundling’s work from the periphery through the eyes of his girlfriend Kelly, a member of our Junior Board. As a 2019 marathon runner, he now officially joins our Foundling family.
A member of our Junior Board since 2017, Kate and her fiancée Holt have generously dedicated their time to The New York Foundling in between their busy legal careers. For Kate and Holt, being part of Team Foundling is an opportunity to become closer to The Foundling community.