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Ohilda was ready to move cross-country for a new job when she received an unexpected phone call: “You’re an aunt!” In that same moment, she was asked to become a foster mom to baby Elizabeth. Ohilda dropped everything, changed her plans, and agreed. From the second newborn Elizabeth arrived at Ohilda’s door, The Foundling has provided guidance and resources to make sure Elizabeth, now 5 and living with special needs, receives the best possible medical and mental health care. “There’s no greater reward than being a foster parent,” Ohilda frequently shares with friends.

Looking at Maya now, you’d never know the difficulties she had as a baby. Today, she’s a spunky toddler who loves Mickey Mouse and lollipops and has doting parents who adore her, but Maya spent her first two years in foster care. Last Christmas, she was adopted by Chrissy and Jared, and changed the whole family’s future forever.

Like many children in the child welfare system, high school was a challenge for Emahni, who struggled in class and had difficulty completing her homework. Through The Foundling, Emahni was connected with Kat, who tutored her and even helped her submit her college applications. Thanks to Kat and The Foundling, Emahni passed her tests, graduated from high school, and was accepted into college. Kat was with her every step of the way.

As a young teen, Justice was arrested and found himself facing a serious criminal accusation and possible jail time. His judge referred him to The Foundling’s juvenile justice program, and the intensive counseling and support he and his family received from his therapist, Stephanie, helped him to avoid a criminal record and get back on the path to success.

When David and his wife faced the possibility of living in their car, they knew they needed to keep their four children safe and called The Foundling’s Crisis Nursery. While their children were cared for in the nursery, The Foundling connected David and his wife to the resources they needed to get back on their feet and bring their children home.

Edward and his son Malik consider their therapist Catie a member of their family. As a youth, Malik was lost in the juvenile justice system and Catie helped get him on the right track. When Malik graduated high school, he proudly texted a picture of himself and his diploma to Catie.

Julie is a mom to three young boys and a member of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community. Working with her social worker Kyle, Julie was able to access important social services she didn’t know were available. This past summer, Julie’s kids experienced the magic of Camp Felix, our overnight summer camp which celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2019.

Marck wants to be an attorney when he grows up and Refugio, his socio-therapist, is there every step of the way to make sure Marck stays on track to achieve his dreams. Refugio was even with Marck when The Foundling reunited him with his biological mother after a brief period in foster care.

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3,960 hours of free after-school programming provided to Haven Academy students every year

2,000+ hours of evidence-based therapy provided every year at our Home of Integrated Behavioral Health in Harlem

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