By WMBD-TV
BLOOMINGTON – The cutting of the ribbon signifies the start of a new center in Bloomington by the Normal-based nonprofit, The Baby Fold.
“Trauma and the impacts of trauma has been rising in our community,” said the Vice President of Development & Public Relations Sam Guillory. “We want to make sure that our community has the resources that they need to process and to heal from that trauma.”
The expansion held a special place in one attendees heart.
“It’s significant to me because 52 years ago, I was officially adopted by my wonderful parents from The Baby Fold,” said Joel Ramseyer. “This charity has always been near and dear to my heart.”
Leaders expanded and opened the Center of Excellence during Child Abuse Prevention/Awareness Month.
“That’s really what the vision is here,” said President/CEO Clete Winkelmann. “We want to serve the community and meet the needs wherever those needs exist.”
The Baby Fold provides critical services to central Illinois children and families. They’ve been doing so since 1902.
“They do so much for this community, especially for the children of the community,” said Ramseyer. “You just need to support them and give them your all because that’s what they do for us.”
Through the new center they’ll be able to host trauma-informed trainings along with other programming.
“Adoption support. Foster Care. Early intervention. Special education. We also have our training and certifications programs as well. So that’s where our ‘center of excellence’ fits into,” said Guillory.
“It’s a comprehensive organization that’s doing a lot of unique services,” said Winkelmann. “Not just here in Bloomington-Normal, but our adoption support program is serving about 26 counties.”
The new center also offers autism strategies, theraplay, trust based relational intervention and more.
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