Elena's Story: From Russian Orphan to The Baby Fold's Newest Board Member | | |
When Elena Funk took her seat on The Baby Fold's Board of Directors this July, she did so with a perspective unlike anyone else's. Her journey to that moment began thousands of miles away—in a Russian orphanage.
For the first eight years of her life, Elena knew only fear.
She endured unimaginable abuse, neglect, and trauma while growing up in the orphanage. When she was adopted by an American family and brought to the United States, she believed her life was finally changing. Instead, after another heartbreaking loss, she was abandoned once again.
With nowhere else to go, Elena came to The Baby Fold and for the next several years, The Baby Fold wasn't just a place where Elena received care—it was home.
Within its walls, Elena found safety for the first time. She found adults who believed in her before she believed in herself.
Despite a physical impairment, they encouraged Elena to play sports, attend camp, explore new interests, and simply enjoy being a child. They never defined her by her past. Instead, they helped her believe in her future.
She also found lifelong friendships, including one with Gary, The Baby Fold's maintenance supervisor. Afternoons helping with projects and trips to the hardware store became some of her favorite childhood memories.
Eventually, Elena was adopted by a Baby Fold employee.
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After graduating from college, Elena returned to The Baby Fold as a Residential Treatment Staff Specialist, helping children facing many of the same challenges she had overcome.
Today, Elena is a successful business owner, devoted wife, and proud mother of two boys.
And Gary? The maintenance supervisor who once spent afternoons with a little girl in need of hope? He proudly walked Elena down the aisle on her wedding day. Today, her two sons know him simply as "Grandpa."
Just this month, Elena stepped into her newest role at The Baby Fold—a member of The Baby Fold's Board of Directors. What a remarkable moment for the little girl from a Russian orphanage.
When asked why she believes supporting The Baby Fold matters, Elena doesn't hesitate. She knows firsthand what a caring community can mean in the life of a child. She shares, "When you give to The Baby Fold, you're not just supporting programs or buildings. You're investing in children like me—children who need someone to believe in them long enough for them to believe in themselves. Every gift, no matter the size, makes a difference."
Thanks to caring supporters, children like Elena are discovering that their past doesn't have to define their future. That's the power of hope—and the difference your generosity makes every day.
Click here to watch Elena's testimony.
| | Summer School: Community Partners Help Special Education Students Explore New Careers | | |
One minute, a student was learning to strike a weld. The next, they were calling bids in a simulated auction, working with wooden Rivian model vehicles, or exploring careers they had never imagined through virtual reality.
While many students are off for the summer, Hammitt School students continue building their academic, social, and independent living skills through The Baby Fold’s Extended School Year program.
During a busy Career Week, students stepped outside their comfort zones and learned directly from visiting professionals. They practiced welding techniques, discovered the education and skills involved in auctioneering before participating in a lively mock auction, explored careers through virtual reality, and learned about advanced manufacturing through hands-on activities with Rivian.
The vocational kitchen was busy, too, as students made their own pizza and ice cream while practicing skills they can use in everyday life.
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For students with special education needs, experiences like these help bridge the gap between the classroom and the real world, building confidence, expanding horizons, and opening doors to future possibilities.
We're grateful to our local businesses and community partners for generously sharing their time, talents, and expertise with our students. Together, we're helping them see that their futures are filled with opportunity!
| | Strong Families Don't Just Happen | | |
Strong families don't just happen—they're built through love, support, and the passion to give children bright futures. Our Healthy Start families work hard every day to create safe, nurturing homes where their babies can grow and thrive.
A regular part of the Healthy Start program, are gatherings—family engagement events—like this recent outing at O'Neil Pool in Bloomington. This day of fun, gave parents and children the chance to connect with other families walking a similar journey.
Events like these strengthen relationships, offer moments for parents and their children to bond, and and remind parents they don't have to do it alone.
We love celebrating the resilience of our Healthy Start families and helping them to build a strong foundation for their children's future!
| | Their Family Became a Safe Place for a Foster Child | | |
When a child enters foster care, they often arrive carrying fear, uncertainty, and the weight of experiences no child should have to endure. What they need most isn't perfection—they need someone willing to open their heart.
That's exactly what Courtney and Daniel Dingledine have done. While raising their own two children, they chose to welcome children in foster care into their family, opening their home to one child in September 2025 and another this April. Every bedtime story, family meal, and ordinary moment sends a message that every child deserves to hear: You are safe. You belong here.
That's the difference foster families make every day.
If you've ever wondered whether you could make a difference in the life of a foster child, perhaps the first step is simply asking a few questions. We'd love to answer them. Click here to contact The Baby Fold's Foster Care Team or here to hear from one of our current foster families about getting started.
| | Summer Success at Baby Fold Camp | | |
Laughter echoed across the lake throughout the week as children reeled in fish, splashed in the cool water, explored nature trails, and proudly showed off the crafts they had created. It looked like any other summer camp—and that was exactly the point.
Every child deserves the chance to experience the magic of summer camp. But for many children with special education needs, that opportunity simply doesn't exist. The Baby Fold Summer Camp changes that by providing a therapeutic camp where campers, many of whom have autism, receive the individualized support they need to practice social skills and simply enjoy the great outdoors.
Led by The Baby Fold's dedicated Teacher Therapists and compassionate "camp buddies" from United Methodist churches, camp is much more than a week of summer fun.
Each camper's individualized education plan follows them to camp, teachers naturally incorporate their goals into everyday activities. Whether learning to take turns while fishing, practicing communication during games, building confidence in the lake, or strengthening social skills around the lunch table, every activity is thoughtfully designed to help each child feel safe, included, and one step closer to reaching their goals.
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Some children eagerly dove into every adventure. Others found joy in quieter moments, whether reeling in their first fish or spotting a butterfly. There was no pressure to keep up or fit in—only encouragement to discover new strengths.
By the end of the week, campers returned home with far more than happy memories. They carried new confidence, meaningful friendships, and the reassurance that they belonged.
To our generous supporters, thank you. Your kind hearts made this life-changing week possible, giving local children the chance to experience the joy, adventure, and acceptance every child deserves.
| | Meet Your New Community Connection | | |
The strongest businesses do more than serve a community—they help shape its future.
That's exactly what Elizabeth Jannusch, The Baby Fold's new Corporate & Foundation Engagement Officer, is here to help make possible through meaningful partnerships with local businesses.
Whether your business or organization is interested in sponsoring the Festival of Trees, becoming a vendor, donating a gift card or gift basket, or exploring other ways to get involved, Elizabeth would love to help you find the opportunity that's the best fit for your business!
Contact Elizabeth today at ejannusch@thebabyfold.org, (309) 451-7235, or visit FestOfTrees.org to explore how your business can make a lasting impact in our community.
| | Family Quick Tips from Baby Fold Therapists | | |
Every parent has moments when a child seems impossible to reach. Before assuming they're giving you a hard time, consider this: they may be having a hard time.
When children become overwhelmed, their brains shift into survival mode, making it difficult to think, listen, or make good choices.
Remember:
- 🧠 Stress turns off the brain's problem-solving skills and turns on its survival response
- ❤️ Children who have experienced trauma or chronic stress may reach survival mode more quickly
- 🤝 Connect before you correct. A calm voice, gentle presence, and empathy help children feel safe
- 🌱 Once a child feels safe, they're much better able to learn, listen, and work through challenges.
When emotions run high, pause and ask yourself, "Is my child giving me a hard time, or are they having a hard time?" That simple question can change everything!
| | Thanks to your giving heart, children and families receive the care they need. With new, convenient ways to give, your impact can go even further. | | | | |
