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.

The Foundling employs a full-time Nutrition team to ensure that the residents in our homes for people with developmental disabilities stay healthy – from nutritious meal planning to regular exercise courses.  Across all of our 104 supportive residences, staff and residents are encouraged to try new recipes and bolster their cooking skills. With the help of our dedicated staff, Vernon, who lives in one of our residences in Brooklyn, learned to cook his own healthy meal of oatmeal blueberry pancakes! Not only is he learning skills for independence, but is achieving the tools and mindset to stay healthy for years to come.