Love Knows No Distance: The Tireless Travels of Foster Care Heroes

The Baby Fold's unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of children knows no bounds. Members of our dedicated Foster Care team, including Alissa Baertsch, Cecelia Steinbacher-Kemp, and Dree Carr, have recently made whirlwind journeys to Arizona, Texas, and Florida. While home visits typically take place locally, these devoted team members embraced the challenge of cross-state travel to address the critical needs of the children in their care. Their mission is clear: ensuring foster children find secure and nurturing homes.

In a demonstration of this commitment, Alissa made multiple trips to Arizona to support a local foster family that relocated during the process of adopting their two foster children. Her home visits ensured the adoption process wasn’t disrupted, providing stability for both the children and the family.

Dree flew to Texas to ensure that another child could safely live with a relative there. When a child in foster care is able to stay with a relative, they experience a greater level of stability and comfort. That is why visits like Dree's are so vital to a child's well-being.

Cecelia made a one-day trip to Florida to visit with a child who recently moved there with a biological parent. Discussions about the family’s home, their transition, and the child's well-being took place, with Cecelia returning to Illinois assured that the child was thriving in a safe, loving home.

Far from leisurely trips, these cross-state visits are often completed in 24-48 hours. While keeping children in local homes might seem easier, it may not always align with the best interests of each child. Thus, Alissa, Dree, Cecelia, and the entire Foster Care team willingly go the distance for vulnerable children.

We're in This Together: A Teacher’s Journey to Nonprofit Leadership 

Throughout her 34-year tenure at The Baby Fold's Hammitt Schools, Suzy Kelley has nurtured positive transformations for students and families. Beginning as a lead teacher for our youngest children and now serving as the Supervising Teacher Therapist of the Connections Autism Program, Suzy has devoted her career to creating meaningful change.

"I love working with the amazing staff, the kids, and their families," Suzy shares. "I love seeing the successes in growth for all. I love being part of a school-wide atmosphere of supporting one another and supporting kids and their families."

Suzy's passion for helping others extends beyond the classroom and into the community. In 2020, she took on the role of administrator for a Facebook group designed to help community members support each other during the COVID-19 pandemic. When the original founder had to step away, Suzy assumed leadership and later transformed the group into a registered nonprofit. Now known as The WITT Corporation: We're in This Together—Bloomington/Normal (WITT), the group has grown to over 18,000 members.

Similarly to how she helps Hammitt School's children, families, and teachers work together to create positive growth for special education students, Suzy also now orchestrates positive change for the larger community through WITT. For example, in response to a recent cold spell with sub-zero wind chills, she mobilized community members and businesses to provide shelter, winter hats, and warm meals for locals facing housing insecurity.

“I am continually inspired by the good deeds in our community, the willingness to help each other, the pride people take in advancing their lives and the lives of their children,” Suzy states. “And I would be remiss if I didn’t say that the work The Baby Fold does for children and their families is what has shaped me into leading a nonprofit and focusing my life on bringing positive change.”

Like Suzy, the compassionate spirit of teachers and staff across The Baby Fold is evident in their daily work with children and families and their commitment to the health and wellness of our community at large. If you'd like a meaningful career serving special education students, click here to explore our Hammitt School employment opportunities.

First Responders Bring Holiday Cheer to The Baby Fold

Normal Firefighters Local 2442 brightened the holiday season for our children and families by supporting Christmas celebrations for both Healthy Start and Hammitt School on Willow! We're so grateful for their support of these events over the years. Firefighters joined in the fun at Hammitt School and even discussed fireplace safety with Santa.

The Illinois Police Benevolent & Protective Association (PBPA) continued to support the work of The Baby Fold in our community through a generous financial gift. The members of PBPA have made donations to The Baby Fold for many years, and we appreciate their partnership.

The McLean County Sheriff's Office Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 176, in partnership with Hy-Vee, made spirits bright for the nineteenth year by putting food on the tables of our families in need. Lodge 176 members and Hy-Vee, along with the Chiddix Junior High School volleyball team, assembled and passed out food baskets. When basic needs are met, healing can begin.

To all of our first responders, thank you for supporting the children and families served by The Baby Fold!

Adoption Support and Training Team Combines Fun and Learning

The Baby Fold's Adoption Support and Training team recently visited LabEscape in Urbana. Their fun and educational escape room offers physics-based puzzles to solve in order to "save the world in 90 minutes." The challenge helped them to strengthen their teamwork and gather new ideas for family therapy activities.

Winter Wonderland

Across Central Illinois, our children are excited to see snow this time of year! Enjoy these snowy scenes from winters past at The Baby Fold's historic Willow Street campus.

Join a Legacy Founded in Philanthropy

The Baby Fold was born out of one woman’s desire to care for others. Through the generous donation of her home in 1902, Nancy Mason could not have imagined all the lives she would eventually touch. Now, over 120 years later, the legacy of generosity continues. Donors are still changing the lives of local children and families by supporting The Baby Fold.

Behind the scenes is a dedicated team of fundraising professionals who establish meaningful connections between donors and impactful opportunities that further The Baby Fold’s life-changing mission. Join our dynamic team of fundraisers in fostering positive change and supporting our community through impactful philanthropy.