He’s majoring in business at Queensborough Community College with the goal of turning his passion for athletic footwear into an opportunity for international entrepreneurship.The Foundling has been an integral part of his journey. In three years with the Dorm Project, the support he’s received from his team of case planners, tutors, social workers, and coaches have allowed him to succeed in classes, find career mentorship,
travel abroad, and work toward making his dreams a reality.
Sandra has loved caring for young children her entire life. Through The Foundling, she’s found opportunities to share her heart and home with more than 20 children. Over the past 19 years, Sandra has partnered with The Foundling’s foster care team members to get the specialized training and support she needs, arming her with the resources and tools to address the unique needs of those in her care. Over the years, Sandra’s family has grown in unexpected ways, most notably through the adoption of three children who were previously in foster care. In addition to her adopted sons, she is currently fostering two younger children. With Sandra’s support, her foster and adopted children are defying the odds and finding the stability and strength to thrive.
Raquel is an ambitious college student who credits her success to Jessica, her Foundling tutor. When Raquel struggled in math, Jessica broke down the steps so she could take on the new curriculum. Raquel now leads a student group in her college dormitory where she helps other students understand their budgeting and finances.
Irene reached out to the Foundling’s Developmental Disabilities Division when her daughter was looking to become more independent. Working with a skills trainer, Irene and her daughter created a plan to achieve that goal.
Samantha is establishing her life on her terms. She has been out of foster care for two years and is now living in her own apartment with support from The Foundling. As a college student, she hopes to one day be a social worker so she can inspire others, the way her social worker has inspired her.
Jake has found himself a place in over 18 homes across the city while providing weekly, one-on-one, home-based tutoring for youth in The Foundling’s foster care program. Traversing the streets year round, Jake builds special bonds not only with his students, but with their entire families. To youth who have endured transition, hardship, and uncertainty, Jake represents permanency and stability. He earns the trust of his student by showing up every week, excited and ready to help them overcome the academic struggles they experience through creative approaches and individualized learning strategies. Jake’s students improve their grades and build their confidence, but more importantly, Jake transforms his students’ outlooks on education–and their futures.
Isis loves spending time with her foster parent, Stephanie–whom she calls mom–and plans to go to college and possibly become a lawyer. Upbeat, fun, and energetic, Isis loves going to school, but found herself struggling to keep up with her classmates. That’s when Jake entered Isis’ life. The two began working together regularly and Jake quickly built a strong rapport with Isis and her younger sisters. While Jake may have taught Isis about fractions and decimals, Isis reminds Jake of the importance of positivity and gratitude.
Tajuana has begun the process of adopting her two young cousins with special needs, for whom she has been a foster parent for 7 years. Already a mother to three grown children, a grandmother, and a foster parent to another child, Tajuana is committed to providing children in need with a loving supportive home.
Nicole has a special connection to The Foundling as a former resident of our Young Mothers’ Support Program. Now happily married with a successful career as a property administrator, Nicole joined The Foundling’s Junior Board in 2012 to give back to the organization that supported her and her son 20 years ago.
Manuel has a passion for music and dance and wants to be a choreographer when he grows up. Manuel looks forward to his weekly tutoring sessions with Jake because they help him better understand the topics being covered in school–and to show off his newest dance moves. With Jake’s help, Manuel received a Most Improved Student award at school. Manuel has another recent achievement of which he is very proud: in 2015, he was adopted by his foster mother, Judy. When asked why she adopted Manuel, Judy said, without hesitation, “I don’t see myself without him.”
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