The New York Foundling
Encyclopedia
The New York Foundling, founded in 1869 by the Sisters of Charity
, is one of New York City’s oldest and largest child welfare
agencies. The Foundling operates programs in the five boroughs of New York City, Rockland County, and Puerto Rico
. Its services include foster care
, adoptions, and other community-based services for families.
were among the many social conditions that led to an epidemic of infanticide
during the late 1800s. In reaction, Sister Irene Fitzgibbons
, Founding Sister of The New York Foundling, placed a white wicker cradle
on the doorstep of a small rented house she called "The Foundling Asylum" at 17 East 12th Street in New York’s Greenwich Village
, with the goal of receiving and caring for unwanted children and those whose parents could not properly care for them. The first abandoned baby arrived on October 11, 1869, and 45 more babies followed in that first month. The need for this type of service was confirmed by the 126 babies that were left by January 1, 1870. After two years, The Foundling had accepted 2,500 babies.
As the number of babies left increased and the children already in their care grew older, the Sisters of Charity moved to a larger building and began participating in a social program
that placed children with approved families in various rural regions of the United States. Parishioners in the destination regions were asked to accept children, and parish priests provided applications to approved families. This practice was first known as the "Baby Train", then later the "Orphan Train
." By 1879, over 1,000 children had been placed with new families.
Among its medical programs was St. Ann’s Hospital (opened 1880), which provided unmarried mothers with medical treatment; and St. John’s Hospital for Sick Children (1881), which was at the forefront of developing pediatric practices and approaches to caring for children in a hospital setting. The Sisters developed a device that saved thousands of children from the life-threatening disease diphtheria
, an epidemic at the time. Beginning in 1945, The Foundling also operated a developmental clinic to observe, examine and analyze the developmental norms
for young children. The clinic became a learning center for students from New York City area medical schools, nursing schools and psychology departments. These programs were the beginning of, and were subsequently incorporated into, what is now Saint Vincent’s Hospital
in New York City.
While The Foundling provided medical treatment in addition to adoption and support services for mothers-in-need, it wasn’t until the 1930s that a Social Service department was established to assist those who could not properly care for their children.
or in group residential
settings.Each year, more than 120 of The Foundling’s foster parents adopt
their foster children. Prospective parents are carefully screened to ensure the best interests of the child.
currently in the foster care and child welfare system. The plan is to co-locate all of The Foundling’s Bronx-based community services into an academic complex with Haven Academy to integrate social services and the school's academic program. The school is currently operating at a temporary location (PS 43) in Mott Haven. During year two, the school will move to its permanent facility.
. The building opened in 1988 and houses some Foundling programs such as providing a residence for young expectant mothers and those with infants. Other Foundling programs operate directly out of the communities they serve throughout New York City and Rockland County, an approach highly encouraged by the city’s Administration for Children’s Services.
Sisters of Charity of New York
The Sisters of Charity of New York is a religious congregation of women in the Catholic Church whose primary missions are education and nursing and who are dedicated in particular to the service of the poor.-History:...
, is one of New York City’s oldest and largest child welfare
Child welfare
Child protection is used to describe a set of usually government-run services designed to protect children and young people who are underage and to encourage family stability...
agencies. The Foundling operates programs in the five boroughs of New York City, Rockland County, and Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
. Its services include foster care
Foster care
Foster care is the term used for a system in which a minor who has been made a ward is placed in the private home of a state certified caregiver referred to as a "foster parent"....
, adoptions, and other community-based services for families.
The Foundling Asylum (1869–1881)
A wave of immigration into New York City and the turmoil remaining from the Civil WarAmerican Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
were among the many social conditions that led to an epidemic of infanticide
Infanticide
Infanticide or infant homicide is the killing of a human infant. Neonaticide, a killing within 24 hours of a baby's birth, is most commonly done by the mother.In many past societies, certain forms of infanticide were considered permissible...
during the late 1800s. In reaction, Sister Irene Fitzgibbons
Sister Irene
Sister Irene was born Catherine FitzGibbon in London, and died in New York City.At the age of nine she emigrated to Brooklyn, New York with her parents, and in 1850 joined the community of the Sisters of Charity at Mount St. Vincent, New York, taking the name of Irene. During her novitiate she...
, Founding Sister of The New York Foundling, placed a white wicker cradle
Bassinet
A bassinet or bassinette is a bed specifically for babies from birth to about four months, and small enough to provide a "cocoon" that small babies find comforting....
on the doorstep of a small rented house she called "The Foundling Asylum" at 17 East 12th Street in New York’s Greenwich Village
Greenwich Village
Greenwich Village, , , , .in New York often simply called "the Village", is a largely residential neighborhood on the west side of Lower Manhattan in New York City. A large majority of the district is home to upper middle class families...
, with the goal of receiving and caring for unwanted children and those whose parents could not properly care for them. The first abandoned baby arrived on October 11, 1869, and 45 more babies followed in that first month. The need for this type of service was confirmed by the 126 babies that were left by January 1, 1870. After two years, The Foundling had accepted 2,500 babies.
As the number of babies left increased and the children already in their care grew older, the Sisters of Charity moved to a larger building and began participating in a social program
Social work
Social Work is a professional and academic discipline that seeks to improve the quality of life and wellbeing of an individual, group, or community by intervening through research, policy, community organizing, direct practice, and teaching on behalf of those afflicted with poverty or any real or...
that placed children with approved families in various rural regions of the United States. Parishioners in the destination regions were asked to accept children, and parish priests provided applications to approved families. This practice was first known as the "Baby Train", then later the "Orphan Train
Orphan Train
The Orphan Train was a social experiment that transported children from crowded coastal cities of the United States to the country's Midwest for adoption. The orphan trains ran between 1854 and 1929, relocating an estimated 200,000 orphaned, abandoned, or homeless children...
." By 1879, over 1,000 children had been placed with new families.
The Foundling Hospital (1880–1957)
In response to an increasing need for skilled medical and nursing care for mothers and children, The New York Foundling began providing health services in addition to social services, changing its name to The New York Foundling Hospital to more accurately reflect its services.Among its medical programs was St. Ann’s Hospital (opened 1880), which provided unmarried mothers with medical treatment; and St. John’s Hospital for Sick Children (1881), which was at the forefront of developing pediatric practices and approaches to caring for children in a hospital setting. The Sisters developed a device that saved thousands of children from the life-threatening disease diphtheria
Diphtheria
Diphtheria is an upper respiratory tract illness caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae, a facultative anaerobic, Gram-positive bacterium. It is characterized by sore throat, low fever, and an adherent membrane on the tonsils, pharynx, and/or nasal cavity...
, an epidemic at the time. Beginning in 1945, The Foundling also operated a developmental clinic to observe, examine and analyze the developmental norms
Child development
Child development stages describe theoretical milestones of child development. Many stage models of development have been proposed, used as working concepts and in some cases asserted as nativist theories....
for young children. The clinic became a learning center for students from New York City area medical schools, nursing schools and psychology departments. These programs were the beginning of, and were subsequently incorporated into, what is now Saint Vincent’s Hospital
Saint Vincent's Catholic Medical Center
Saint Vincent Catholic Medical Centers ' was a healthcare system, anchored by its flagship hospital, St. Vincent's Hospital Manhattan, locally referred to as "St. Vincent's". St. Vincent's was founded in 1849 and closed in 2010...
in New York City.
While The Foundling provided medical treatment in addition to adoption and support services for mothers-in-need, it wasn’t until the 1930s that a Social Service department was established to assist those who could not properly care for their children.
Foster care and adoption
As one of the City’s largest and most highly-regarded foster care service providers, The New York Foundling is responsible for more than 1,400 children who are living in individual and specialized foster boarding homesFoster care
Foster care is the term used for a system in which a minor who has been made a ward is placed in the private home of a state certified caregiver referred to as a "foster parent"....
or in group residential
Group home
A group home is a private residence designed or converted to serve as a non-secure home for unrelated persons who share a common characteristic.-Types of group homes:...
settings.Each year, more than 120 of The Foundling’s foster parents adopt
Adoption
Adoption is a process whereby a person assumes the parenting for another and, in so doing, permanently transfers all rights and responsibilities from the original parent or parents...
their foster children. Prospective parents are carefully screened to ensure the best interests of the child.
Vincent J. Fontana Center for Child Protection
The Vincent J. Fontana Center for Child Protection was founded in 1998 by Doctor Vincent J. Fontana, who served as medical director of The Foundling for over 40 years. The Fontana Center is dedicated to furthering the understanding and detection of child abuse and neglect, and to teaching prevention and treatment.Mott Haven Academy Charter School
In 2008, The Foundling opened the Mott Haven Academy Charter School. Haven Academy opened with 90 students in kindergarten and first grade, and is expected to eventually serve 314 students in grades K-8. Haven Academy was designed to meet the needs of at-risk studentsAt-risk students
The term at-risk students is used to describe students who are "at risk" of failing academically, for one or more of any several reasons. The term can be used to describe a wide variety of students, including ones who belong to ethnic minorities, those who are academically disadvantaged, those who...
currently in the foster care and child welfare system. The plan is to co-locate all of The Foundling’s Bronx-based community services into an academic complex with Haven Academy to integrate social services and the school's academic program. The school is currently operating at a temporary location (PS 43) in Mott Haven. During year two, the school will move to its permanent facility.
The New York Foundling today
The Foundling’s administrative headquarters are located at 590 Avenue of the Americas, in ChelseaChelsea, Manhattan
Chelsea is a neighborhood on the West Side of the borough of Manhattan in New York City. The district's boundaries are roughly 14th Street to the south, 30th Street to the north, the western boundary of the Ladies' Mile Historic District – which lies between the Avenue of the Americas and...
. The building opened in 1988 and houses some Foundling programs such as providing a residence for young expectant mothers and those with infants. Other Foundling programs operate directly out of the communities they serve throughout New York City and Rockland County, an approach highly encouraged by the city’s Administration for Children’s Services.