Child Welfare Archives - The New York Foundling

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

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

Child Welfare, Strengthening Our Families

Nitegua, Najay & Nellieann Received the Tools to Move Forward

Caring for a newborn and a toddler is a lot to handle in the best of times, but COVID-19 has posed even more challenges for young families. During the height of the pandemic, Nitegua – a mother of two infant children, Najay and Nellieann, in the Bronx – faced new pressures in balancing pandemic safety measures with childcare and necessary household tasks.

As a resilient and dedicated mother, Nitegua was willing to do whatever it took to best provide for her family’s needs—and when she began her work with Strengthening our Families, she had access to a new support system that was there to help. Her Founding coach, Melanie, provided support to improve her family’s stability—GED classes for her husband, guidance as she worked to secure better housing, and more. With Melanie’s help, Nitegua enhanced her budgeting and household management skillsets, and was able to move into a new apartment that fit her family’s needs. Now, her family is doing great— “[The Foundling] helped me execute the plans I had in place to move my family forward,” she says.

May 11, 2022/by Elefant Design

Behavioral Health, Child Welfare, Foster Care

Sitan Found Support and Stability

As a 19-year-old in foster care, Sitan had already faced a lifetime’s worth of challenges when she gave birth to her daughter in April 2020. But the added stress of managing life as a new parent — during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic — made her struggles feel insurmountable. Her foster care team saw that Sitan needed more help, and connected her with our Mental Health Services department.

Through therapy, Sitan learned breathing exercises and coping mechanisms, and now tackles her challenges one day at a time. Additionally, The Foundling helped her make important steps toward independence— she secured daycare for her daughter, rented her own apartment, and has found a full-time job. She now has the stability to provide for her daughter, and is optimistic for the future ahead.

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

Behavioral Health, Child Welfare, Programs, 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

NYF

Education, Foster Care, Results, Road to Success

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students in foster care across NYC receive high quality tutoring from Road to Success Citywide

December 8, 2020/by Carmen Rojas

Child Welfare, Education, Mott Haven Academy Charter School, Programs

Jennifer and her family are supported at Haven Academy

Raising five children on her own, Jennifer was used to juggling responsibilities and being a constant source of stability for her family – but the COVID-19 pandemic turned her life upside down. In this time of stress and uncertainty, The Foundling’s Mott Haven Academy Charter School became her source of stability. “The pandemic was rough, but they made it easier – with food, essentials, hand soap, paper towels, coloring books, crayons, everything,” Jennifer shares. “At Haven Academy, the teachers, social workers, and staff are not just there to help students—like my children—they also help parents and families too.” Now, Jennifer is back to being a beacon of support for her family. “I’m ready to go. I just can’t wait to see what the future looks like,” she says.

December 8, 2020/by Elefant Design

Child Welfare, Community Partnership Program, Healthy Families, Programs

Providing community support during the pandemic

Our Staten Island Community Partnership and Healthy Families programs have come together to help keep our neighbors in the North Shore section of Staten Island healthy and safe throughout the pandemic. One of their largest initiatives is a weekly grocery giveaway program that has provided 100 families with essential items, including fruits, vegetables, protein-rich foods, toiletries, and more. Thanks to collaboration with community institutions and businesses – from churches to laundromats – our impassioned team engages with local residents and families to ensure that all of our neighbors have access to the resources they need.

July 30, 2020/by Elefant Design

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