Community Schools Supervisor Receives Meritorious Service Award

Rebecca Kinsey, Community School Supervisor, has been named the recipient of this year’s Bill Hammitt Meritorious Service Award! This prestigious honor recognizes an employee who demonstrates long-term dedication, embodies The Baby Fold’s core values, and makes a meaningful impact on students, families, and the community.

Rebecca has served children and families at The Baby Fold for 14 years, first in Foster Care and now leading our Community Schools program, which partners with Fairview and Cedar Ridge Elementary Schools to provide academic support, resources, and enrichment opportunities for students and families. She has been instrumental in growing partnerships, mentoring staff, and supporting students through family engagement events, initiatives like holiday drives, and a micro food pantry at Fairview Elementary.

Her dedication and impact is evident in the strong support from the school community, with over 90 signatures from both schools endorsing her nomination. Congratulations to Rebecca on this well-deserved recognition! View the award ceremony here.

From New York to The Baby Fold: New Tools to Heal Families

The Baby Fold team, along with several community participants, recently spent four days in an intensive Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP) training, a trauma-informed approach that helps children and families heal through safe, trusting relationships, with Dafna Lender from New York.

Children in foster care, adoptive homes, and guardianship placements often carry complex experiences, and this training strengthens our ability to foster healing through connection, safety, and understanding.

How Families Benefit:

• Stronger parent-child connection
• Better understanding of trauma and behavior
• New tools to help families grow and heal together

We’re excited to bring these skills into therapy and continue supporting the incredible caregivers who show up every day for the children in their lives.

Interested in our upcoming training courses? Visit our training calendar.

Keeping Students Engaged at Hammitt Schools

Recently, students at The Baby Fold’s Hammitt School on Oglesby showcased their creativity at the Enrichment Fair. From original artwork to hand-crafted items and more, each display reflected the imagination, teamwork, and dedication our students poured into their work.

Keeping it fun! Our special education students at Hammitt School on Oglesby cast their votes for their favorite—Panda or Koala—and Panda squeaked out a 15–13 victory!

Last year, a vermicomposting demo with the Ecology Action Center sparked the Hammitt School Garden Club's interest.

This month, the Center returned to help students build their own worm composting bin, giving them a hands-on way to explore science and sustainability outside the classroom. Students even harvested their own worms!

Now the worms will turn food scraps into nutrient-rich soil for the Club's garden beds!

Staff Spotlight: Vocational Education

Hammitt Schools Vocational Education Program helps students explore careers, build confidence, and develop skills for life after school—and recently, one student brought that learning to life in a meaningful way.

With care and determination, one of our special education students took the lead in creating and conducting her own interview. After thoughtfully preparing each question, she sat down with vocational coach Scott Perry, who shared his approach to supporting students and his life outside of work—an experience she was incredibly proud of.

Q: What is one piece of advice you would give to all your students?

A: “The two rules of life that everyone should have learned in kindergarten: act right, and play well with others.”

Q: What's your favorite part of your job?

A: “The students and the interactions with them, watching them grow as they prepare for life after Hammitt [School].”

Q: What are your favorite hobbies or activities?

A: “Riding motorcycles and four-wheelers, hiking, and hanging out with my ‘grand dude.’”

Q: If you could describe yourself in one word, what would it be?

A: “Blessed.”

We’re grateful for students who step into new challenges with courage, and for staff who care so deeply about the futures of local children.

We've Got Spirit, Yes We Do!

Spirit Week was full of fun, creativity, and plenty of smiles! Staff celebrated all week with bingo and trivia games, themed clothing days, and doughnuts and candy gram deliveries!

Even the students joined in the fun, showing off their handmade, colorful creations for Tie Dye Day. The Baby Fold’s Employee Activities Committee did an amazing job keeping the week exciting and full of cheer! Interested in joining our team?

Want to join in on the spirit? Click here to check out our career opportunities!

What Happens While Students are Away

While our special education students enjoyed spring break, The Baby Fold's Maintenance and Information Systems teams worked behind the scenes to make important updates across both school campuses.

Because projects like installing new doors and technology can be disruptive and dysregulating, the teams schedule this work when students are not in attendance—ensuring their safety, comfort, and well-being remain the top priority.

We are so grateful for their dedication to creating a learning environment where every student can thrive.

Baby Fold Board Makes Giving Go Further

This spring, we’re celebrating the incredible generosity of our Board of Directors! Thanks to their commitment to our mission, every gift you make to The Baby Fold will be tripled—up to a total of $97,926. Your support goes even further in helping children and families thrive, providing essential programs, services, and care when it’s needed most.

There’s never been a better time to give—your donation will have triple the impact! Give now!

Hear from the Vice-Chair of The Baby Fold's Board of Directors about

this unique opportunity!

Festival of Trees Early Bird Deals—Ends April 30!

Step into April at The Baby Fold!

Spring is already hopping at The Baby Fold with several opportunities to make an impact for local children in April. Join us!

📌ABC Run: Walk/Run to Benefit The Baby Fold | Date: April 18 | Learn more

📌Advanced EMDR Training: Integrative Attachment Trauma Protocol for Children | Date: April 7 & 8 | Learn more

📌START 24/7 Training: Supporting Children Who Have Experienced Trauma | Date: April 10 | Learn more

📌 Identifying Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), Complex Trauma & Resilience Training | Date: April 22 | Learn more

📌Illinois TBRI Collaborative Symposium: Comprehensive Session Providing Updates on the Model and Skill Development | Date: April 27-30 | Learn more

Build Partnerships, Change Lives at The Baby Fold

Do you, or does someone you know, have a background in sales, business development, or account management and are you looking for something more meaningful?

Contact Sam Guillory, Vice President of Development and Public Relations, to learn more about our open Business Relationship Manager position, or click here.

Referrals are always appreciated—if someone in your network would thrive in a relationship-driven, purpose-filled role like this, we’d be grateful for your connection!

Family Quick Tips from Baby Fold Therapists

Spring is here! It’s a great time to slow down, enjoy warmer weather, and make memories. Families can focus on movement, nature, and connection to support kids’ growth and regulation.

Simple Spring Adventures:

• Nature walk or scavenger hunt
• Picnic outside or indoors
• Sidewalk chalk fun or obstacle course
• Plant seeds or flowers together
• Backyard adventure night with stories and snacks

Quick Reset Tips: Drink water, move your body, take deep breaths, or share a quiet hug. Small moments can make a big impact this spring.

Join Our Team | Learn More