The Baby Fold

Tiny sleepers, spilled beans and big hearts! 💙

Since joining The Baby Fold as volunteers in June, Stephanie Boyd and Melody Troehler have been busy cleaning, organizing and stocking our Care Closets at Fort Jesse and Susan Drive, helping staff easily find clothing, supplies, sensory items and other resources for children and families.

For Stephanie, whose maternal grandmother was a foster parent, the work has a special connection. One tiny newborn sleeper especially tugged at her heartstrings as she thought about the little one who might someday wear it.

Melody came to The Baby Fold looking for a meaningful way to serve and quickly put her organizing talents to work. Her most memorable discovery? A large box of dried beans used for sensory activities—which ended up everywhere when she moved it a little too quickly!

From tiny sleepers to spilled beans, every item organized helps our staff better serve children and families. Thank you, Stephanie and Melody, for the many hours and care you’ve given to The Baby Fold! 💙

Who can spot everything on this list first? 🐝🍄🐛 Grab these free printable scavenger hunts and get the kids exploring — one for outside in nature, and one for sharpening those listening ears! Perfect for an afternoon of fun, learning, and a little friendly competition. 🌳✨👀 How many can YOU find?

🔴TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW🔴 for The Baby Fold's Festival of Trees, November 19-21 at the Interstate Center in Bloomington, IL! ➡️https://bit.ly/Festival-ofTrees-Tickets ⬅️

Kick off the holiday season at Central Illinois’ largest holiday celebration! Experience three days of festive fun for the whole family. Take in the holiday magic around every corner and create lasting memories together. All proceeds benefit local children!

What to Expect:
⭐ Thursday night Gala! Sip, savor, and celebrate at this exclusive 21+ ticketed event!✨
🎅 Visit Santa in his workshop
🎅 Breakfast with Santa is back on Saturday morning! (ticketed event)
❄️ Winter wonderland filled with hundreds of decorated trees, wreaths, gingerbread & holiday decor
☕ Sip hot cocoa, coffee & nibble Christmas cookies
🎨 Kids face painting and fun
🛍️ Delicious homemade goodies from the Bake Shop
🎄 Fun online auction filled with holiday décor, gift cards, and unique items

Are you a foster, adoptive, or guardianship caregiver? Could you benefit from extra support on your journey? Join The Baby Fold's virtual therapy group led by master’s-level therapists—a safe, confidential space to connect with others who understand.

When: 2nd & 4th Wednesdays, 6:15–7:15 pm
Where: Online via Teams
Registration Required to access link: [email protected] or [email protected]

In this group, you’ll:
• Share openly without judgement
• Learn tools to manage stress and caregiver fatigue
• Explore family dynamics and attachment
• Connect with a supportive community

“Because I know how it feels.” 💙

That was 11-year-old Caleb Wilson’s simple answer when his grandmother asked why he was so interested in a charitable display he spotted last summer. Caleb’s older brother, Jacob, has autism and has attended The Baby Fold’s Hammitt Schools since age five.

Months later, Caleb turned that empathy into action. He used some of his own Christmas money to help start a colorful pinwheel fundraiser for The Baby Fold. The Peppered Pig in Colfax gave the fundraiser a home, family members added their support, his grandfather Jerry offered to match what he raised, and the Immanuel Lutheran Church joined in with additional matching funds through its Matthew 25 Project.

Together, Caleb’s idea grew into a $100 donation. And he knew exactly where he wanted it to go: The Baby Fold’s Christmas Wish List, a program that had once brought Christmas joy to his own family.

What started with one child wanting to help inspired a community to join him in giving back.💙

Growing kind hearts is just as important as growing young minds. 💙

🎉 Happy Human Resource Professionals Day! 🎉 Today we celebrate our incredible Human Resource Team, whose dedication strengthens our organization and empowers our employees every day!

Have you ever noticed that when a child is really upset, they seem unable to listen, think clearly, or make good choices? Their brain may be in survival mode.

When children feel stressed or threatened, the parts of the brain responsible for reasoning and self-control can take a back seat while the brain focuses on staying safe. For children who have experienced trauma, loss, or chronic stress, this can happen even more quickly.

It's important for caregivers to connect before correcting. A calm voice, gentle presence, and empathy can help a child feel safe enough to listen, learn, and problem-solve again.

The next time your child is struggling, ask yourself: “Is my child giving me a hard time, or are they having a hard time?”

💙 Try this: Lower your voice, get on their eye level, and offer reassurance: “I’m here with you” or “We’ll figure this out together.” Connect first. Teach and guide once they’re calm.

🎉 This year, we are honored to celebrate an incredible milestone as Julie Stoll marks 30 years of service at The Baby Fold!

Julie’s journey began at The Baby Fold's former residential treatment center, where she started building the relationships and commitment to children and families that would become hallmarks of her career.

Julie later joined The Baby Fold's Hammitt Elementary School as a classroom teaching assistant and then helped open the Hammitt High School program. While working at Hammitt, she continued investing in her professional growth, earning her Master of Social Work degree, master’s in educational administration, and Superintendent's endorsement.

After years in the classroom, Julie transitioned to a social services role at Hammitt School as a Home Interventionist. Her leadership abilities soon led her to supervise the Home Interventionist team and take on increasing leadership responsibilities.

Julie went on to serve as Assistant Principal of Hammitt Junior-Senior High School and then Assistant Director of Academic Services, working closely with our serving school districts and strengthening community partnerships. Today, as Director of Academic Services, she brings decades of experience, institutional knowledge, and commitment to students and staff to the leadership of Hammitt Schools.

Perhaps most importantly, Julie understands that creating the best possible learning environment for our students begins with creating a workplace where staff feel supported, valued, and equipped to do their best work. She is known for supporting her staff, responding to the needs of students and families, and continually striving for excellence.

Julie, thank you for 30 years of dedication to children and families in our community! 💙

We're grateful for these businesses and individuals whose support makes a meaningful difference in the lives of local children and families. ⭐ Thank you, friends!