The Baby Fold Celebrates 120 Years of Service
The Baby Fold is celebrating 120 years of love, hope, and healing! From our quaint beginnings in 1902 to the thriving, multi-faceted agency of today, our founders could not have imagined the countless lives they would touch with their timeless mission to care for children in need.

Throughout 2022, we invite you to join the celebration! We will share stories and highlights from our 12 decades of devotion to kids and community, host special events for you to learn more about our rich history of social service, and have other celebrations throughout the year as we commemorate our 120 years of service. Each month, our informative e-newsletter will highlight one of our 12 programs and 12 decades of care.

We would not be where we are today without YOU. Thank you for being a part of our 120-year legacy and for helping to build a brighter future for our kids and community!
Twelve Decades of Devotion: Journey Through our Legacy
The countless hardships our founders fearlessly overcame in our first decade of devotion illustrate our unwavering commitment to kids and community for 120 years and counting. Our legacy begins in 1899 when Nancy Mason gifted her home to the local Methodist Deaconesses that operated Deaconess Hospital, now Carle BroMenn Medical Center. The Deaconess women saw a growing need in our community - care for orphaned and abandoned children.
 
Orphan trains carried homeless children westward across the U.S. At each stop, the children lined up on the train platform for families (typically farmers) to select whom they wanted to bring home. This provided homes for older boys who could work on the farm and older girls who could tend to younger siblings. However, infants, toddlers, minorities, and children with disabilities were left to re-board. The unwanted children left on the orphan train found a safe haven in The Baby Fold as our deaconess women welcomed them with loving arms into 'the fold'.
 
In 1905, the Deaconess Society sent Nellie Randle to Normal to get the Mason home organized as a home for young children. Randle brought with her Baby Harry, considered the very first child placed in our care, and a mere ten dollars, five of which were won in an Ivory Soap jingle contest.
 
Soon after her arrival, Nellie was hospitalized with pneumonia, and the Deaconess Society sent Tompie Asher as a temporary replacement. Asher came to Normal in 1908 and her “temporary” assignment lasted 27 years. In 1910, The Baby Fold moved to four lots at 108 E. Willow Street, the former home of Myrtle Norton Walgreen, wife of Walgreens founder Charles Walgreen. Normal merchants helped push babies in buggies and carts to the new location, where Hammitt Elementary School is today.
Nancy Mason's gifted estate was the first home of The Baby Fold.
Townspeople helped push baby buggies to The Baby Fold's new location.
Outside 108 E. Willow St, where care continues today.
Twelve Transformative Programs: Hammitt Elementary School Highlight
When The Baby Fold moved to 108 E. Willow Street in 1910, the home was considered to be virtually in the country and had no running water, no electricity, and no access to paved roads. Today, Willow Street is the largest of five Baby Fold campuses in Bloomington-Normal with some of the most advanced technology available, housing Hammitt Elementary School.

Students from 40 surrounding school districts come to The Baby Fold’s Hammitt School when their needs exceed what public schools can provide. Students receive customized special education in classrooms specially designed and staffed for academic and social success. Special education teacher therapists and teacher therapist assistants assess each child’s strengths and needs and address their academic, behavioral, emotional, and social concerns. Student-teacher ratios are as low as one to one, to provide students with care as unique as they are. Children with a history of abuse, neglect, mental health problems, or autism receive the structure they need in a safe and loving environment. 
 
Every Hammitt School student receives individualized care from a team of specialists working together on the development and treatment goals within the student’s individualized education plan. In addition to teacher therapists in the classrooms, a student’s team may include a Family Advocate, School Psychologist, Speech and Language Pathologist, Social Worker, Occupational Therapist, or even a therapy animal. Bubba and Vinny, two of The Baby Fold’s therapy dogs, calm and comfort even the most distressed child!
 
At Hammitt School, care doesn’t end when the child leaves the building. Family Advocates bridge the gap between school and home, providing therapeutic services to children and their families, even during times of crisis and trauma. Advocates meet the family right where they are, both emotionally and physically, by traveling to the child’s home on a regular basis. The student’s progress both at school and at home is discussed as well as areas of improvement and concern. Family Advocates answer questions for parents, address concerns, and act as a liaison between home, school, and community.  
Donated Farmland Raises More Money for Kids with Wind Turbines
As a cornerstone of our Midwestern community, local farmers have always held The Baby Fold near and dear to their hearts. In the 1900s, farmers would leave eggs and milk on our doorstep to feed the babies in our care. One generous friend donated a cow for an ongoing supply of milk. Fast forward to today and farmers are still blessing the children of The Baby Fold.
 
Farms that have been donated to The Baby Fold are generating ongoing support for our children. The Baby Fold has a dedicated Farm Manager who manages all farms and their bountiful harvest. Recently, three wind turbines have been added to The Baby Fold’s farms. Now, in addition to crops, wind energy provides regular support for local children. This environmentally friendly addition will continue to bless The Baby Fold with power-source income for generations to come.