The Baby Fold Welcomes Carrie Wieburg, MBA, as New VP of Finance and Administrative Services
The Baby Fold is pleased to welcome Carrie Wieburg as our new Vice President of Finance and Administrative Services. Carrie is an integral member of our agency leadership team, overseeing Finance, Information Technologies, and Facilities. Formerly the Director of Business and Finance for the College of Arts and Sciences at Illinois State University, Carrie served as the fiscal agent for 25 departments/schools at ISU and provided budgetary training to numerous units across campus. Carrie earned her Masters of Business Administration and Bachelors of Business Management from Illinois State University and holds a certificate in Organizational Leadership. In addition, she was on the Board of Directors for the Illinois Network of Women in Higher Education, the Chairperson of the State and University Employees Combined Appeal, and volunteers for the ISU Emergency Call Center and a local food pantry. Welcome, Carrie!
Twelve Decades of Devotion: Journey Through the 1910s
To celebrate The Baby Fold’s 120th anniversary, we are exploring one of our 12 decades of devotion each month throughout 2022. Last month we learned how Nancy Mason's estate gift was the first home of The Baby Fold before the agency moved to 108 E. Willow Street in 1910, where Hammitt Elementary School is today.
 
The number of babies at the new home continued to increase and in October of 1911, an adjoining lot was purchased. The expansion was only made possible by the orphanage’s “Good Angel,” Dr. William Quine, who made regularly recurring gifts so more children could heal and grow. Dr. Quine made a gift annuity, commonly referred to as a Charitable Gift Annuity today, to help the agency better plan for the future.
 
That same year, The Baby Fold was the recipient of funds raised from Trolley Days, a Twin Cities tradition dating back to 1899. The Pantagraph encouraged readers to “Leave the auto uncranked and keep the horse in the barn, for the streetcar needs you.” The deaconess women, who operated the agency at that time, took shifts as guest conductors on trolleys decorated with baby photos. The deaconesses handed out photos of babies and young children in the home and collected donations from passengers to support the ever-growing need.
 
In 1917, the Board agreed to raise $8,000 to purchase 20 acres of farmland on North Main Street to have plentiful eggs and milk to feed the children. The farmland also provided much of the feed needed for the agency’s seven cows. The self-sustaining farmland was a wise investment as the First World War left 88 children residing at The Baby Fold at one time.
 
Our agency has also weathered multiple pandemics. In the 1910s, our on-staff physicians were treating Diphtheria and the Spanish Flu. To this day, we still employ a comprehensive medical team including physicians, nurses, psychologists, therapists, and more.

(Reference: The Baby Fold: An Investment In Humanity, by Elizabeth Glidden, 1992)
Pictured in this 1913 postcard, Miss Clark, Miss Harris, and Miss Hutchison are said to have been guest conductors on Trolley Days.
The Baby Fold has always had physicians on staff. In the 1910s medical staff treated Diphtheria and the Spanish Flu.
The Baby Fold raised chickens and cows on their farmland to provide plentiful milk and eggs for the young children.
Twelve Transformative Programs: Nurturing Parenting Program Highlight
Another way we are celebrating our 12 decades of service is by highlighting one program each month. Last month we learned about Hammitt Elementary School. This month we are highlighting one of our newest programs, the Nurturing Parenting Program.

In 2020, The Baby Fold answered the call from the Illinois Department of Child and Family Services to provide evidence-based programming for at-risk families who are involved in multiple systems of care such as the justice system, substance abuse treatment, and child protective services. The Baby Fold’s Nurturing Parenting Program provides specially trained family counselors to help create a personalized road map to healthy family relationships. The support starts with a Baby Fold counselor who meets each family individually to get to know them, their strengths, and their needs. Then, groups are formed with other parents who are facing similar challenges. Together, the Baby Fold facilitator helps the group dive into topics, such as emotional regulation, empathy, self-awareness, and positive discipline. Parents have a safe environment to address their own traumas, ask questions about child development, and set achievable expectations and goals. Individual family sessions are also offered throughout the process. Whether in a group setting or individually, via telehealth or in-person, our Nurturing Parenting Program is able to give at-risk families the attention they require so families and kids are safe and well.
Celebrating Black History Month
The Baby Fold has developed a collection of free virtual events, facts, articles, and more to commemorate Black History Month. The Baby Fold is committed to supporting and maintaining a culture of diversity, inclusivity, and belonging. We are dedicated to the continual education of our staff and our leaders so that we are culturally competent, well-prepared, and ready to serve our community. The Baby Fold and Hammitt School are proud to have active Equity Teams, collaborating together to elevate the agency. Having diverse employees, business partners, and community relationships is vital to fostering quality programs for the children and families we serve.

Since our beginning in 1902, The Baby Fold has been faithfully serving the community. For 120 years, children have found a safe haven in The Baby Fold. To celebrate The Baby Fold's 120-year legacy of diversity, equity, and inclusion, please click here to enjoy a special collection of our historical photos and 120 Black History facts. 
Healthy Start Cooks Up Fun and Learning
Each month, Healthy Start hosts Family Support and Engagement Groups for families in McLean and Champaign Counties. These groups allow parents and children to learn, grow, and strengthen their bond through hands-on interactive play. Last month, Healthy Start hosted a virtual potluck and cooking group to warm the hearts and bellies of our littlest clients and their families. Families were provided with everything needed to create a healthy and nutritious meal together including ingredients, a slow cooker, a kid-friendly cookbook, and a child’s size apron and chef’s hat! Kids had so much fun helping in the kitchen they didn’t even realize they were learning about nutrition, growth, and relationships from Healthy Start experts. The fun and learning continue this month as families learn to make chili and corn casserole together and receive a Pyrex baking set, children’s play food set, and other helpful kitchen items. Healthy Start’s monthly Family Support and Engagement Groups are made possible by PNC – thank you for helping our kids to "Grow Up Great"!