An Easter Message from Pastor Lori

John 19:25-27 states, "Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His Mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to his mother, 'Woman, behold your son!' Then he said to the disciple, 'Behold your mother!' And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home."

How precious the bond between Jesus and His mother. He had but a few precious words left to speak on this earth. As He struggled to breathe, He made sure His mother was taken care of. He looked to John, the beloved disciple, and entrusted His mom to John's care.

At The Baby Fold, we know the sacred bond between parent and child, and do so much to protect and nurture it in all its forms. As we celebrate Easter and the new life it brings, we pray that you pause to cherish the bonds that you have forged with family, friends, and The Baby Fold. God has entrusted many children and families into our care and we trust that you will continue to bond with our mission and support us as we do our special work.

Baby Fold Therapist Achieves Prestigious Credential

Adam Kinzer, Family Therapist in The Baby Fold’s Adoption Support and Preservation program, recently achieved his Certification in Attachment and Trauma Therapy. This prestigious credential was earned through The Baby Fold’s Attachment and Trauma Fellowship and Certification Program, a state-of-the-art three-year training program. Designed to equip professionals with the latest skills necessary for delivering top-tier care to children and families, this program dives deep into the latest modalities, interventions, and theories surrounding child attachment and trauma.

Graduates emerge from the Fellowship fully equipped to implement advanced therapeutic approaches immediately, ensuring they can effectively address the complex needs of their clients. Kinzer was drawn to the program because of its comprehensive learning opportunities. "Being a well-rounded therapist, as completing the fellowship, means you’ve trained in a lot of different areas. I like the idea of being a Swiss Army Knife of sorts," he shared. With diverse training across various therapy practices, Kinzer is now uniquely positioned to provide the best possible care to the children and families he serves.

In expressing his gratitude, Kinzer acknowledged the unwavering support he received throughout his journey. "I’d like to thank all my colleagues, supervisors, and mentors at The Baby Fold," he said. "I’ve always worked with great people who have inspired and motivated me to do my best work and to put our clients first."

Adam Kinzer’s achievement is just one example of the dedication found in countless professionals at The Baby Fold who continuously strive to advance their careers to better serve children and families. As our professionals apply their newfound expertise, their collective impact positively transforms the lives of those they serve.

Baby Fold Superintendent Honored With "21 Women Who Shaped Bloomington-Normal" Distinction

The Baby Fold’s history is paved with epic stories of heroic women dedicated to the well-being of children in the community. As a testament to that fact, Tompie Asher, The Baby Fold’s second superintendent, was recently honored as one of "21 Women Who Shaped Bloomington-Normal" by WGLT.

Asher arrived at The Baby Fold in 1908 as a temporary replacement for the first superintendent. Her ‘temporary assignment’ lasted 27 years. She fearlessly led the agency through the First World War, the Great Depression, pandemics, and more. Asher sought homes for orphaned and abandoned children, navigated the local court system, and made welfare checks on the children. In addition, she invited the community in to help support the ongoing needs of the home and children.

In honor of National Women’s History Month, visit The Baby Fold’s website to learn more about “Mother Asher” and the plethora of other impactful, history-making women who helped mold The Baby Fold into the vital agency it is today.

Healthy Start Boosts Family Engagement with Virtual Cooking Workshops

The Baby Fold's Healthy Start program recently hosted two virtual cooking events, inviting parents and children to come together in the kitchen. From crafting savory ravioli lasagna to indulging in crockpot hot fudge cake, families bonded over shared culinary experiences. Beyond just recipes, these workshops emphasize the value of family unity and effective communication, reflecting the program's dedication to strong family relationships and healthy lifestyles. Through these engaging activities, participants not only honed their cooking skills but also built lasting memories, family resiliency, and connectedness.

Local Dentist Partners with Community Schools Program

Cindy Rodgers, The Baby Fold's Community Schools Coordinator, recently helped coordinate a dental hygiene clinic for first-graders at Cedar Ridge Elementary School.

When the school found itself in need of essential supplies like floss and toothpaste for its students, they turned to a trusted partner, Dr. Colton Sylvester of Sylvester Family Dental. Dr. Sylvester promptly stepped up, providing individual packets of toothpaste and floss to all 82 first graders, ensuring each child had the necessary tools to learn and practice good dental hygiene.

Beyond dental care, Sylvester Family Dental demonstrates its commitment to the community as a Champion Sponsor of The Baby Fold's Festival of Trees, alongside Cumulus Radio Bloomington. CEFCU and Wm. Masters, Inc. provide support at the Guardian Sponsor level. Through sponsorship, our community partners exhibit a steadfast commitment to supporting the children and families served by The Baby Fold.

Spring into Action to Bless Kids

Join The Baby Fold in welcoming springtime and honoring Autism Acceptance Month and Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month by taking part in one of the many fun spring events listed below!

The Baby Fold's Center of Excellence Ribbon Cutting

Join Baby Fold staff and community members in commemorating The Baby Fold’s inaugural Bloomington Campus! You're invited to a ribbon-cutting ceremony, hosted by the McLean County Chamber of Commerce. Explore The Baby Fold’s Center of Excellence where staff will offer trainings to individuals, families, and other child welfare and education specialists. Mingle with fellow community members after the ribbon cutting as you learn about this impactful space.

Tuesday, April 9, 11:30 a.m.

The Baby Fold

1701 W Market St

Bloomington, IL 61701

ABC Run/Walk

Ready, Set, RUN for Kids! Come walk or run to benefit children served by The Baby Fold! For 19 years, community-minded friends have blessed The Baby Fold and many other children’s charities by organizing ABC Runs (Adventures Benefiting Children). ABC Runs were started by the Lake Run Club's Merlin and Meg Anderson and continue in Meg's honor. To date, ABC Runs have raised $32,574 for the children of The Baby Fold.

Saturday, April 13, 8 a.m.

Click here to donate

The Baby Fold

108 E Willow St

Normal, IL 61761

Wear Blue this April

To honor Autism Acceptance Month and Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month, The Baby Fold's historic campus, located at 108 E Willow Street in Normal, will be decorated with big blue tree bows and pinwheels.

Wear blue on April 2 for World Autism Day and April 6 for Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month!