Fall 2019
Journey of Discovery
Adoptees often turn to OLV for help finding their roots
Welcome
Baker Victory Services’ new CEO, Cindy Lee, is no stranger
You Made a Difference! “I’m honored to carry on the legacy of Father Baker” says new Baker Victory Services’ CEO, Cindy Lee.
Donors to the “Coming Home” Project made a big impact
An Emotional
Quest
T
stigmatized mothers. His response to the call he was hearing, Our Lady of Victory Infant Home, opened its doors in 1908.
But if they’re growing up in a loving and supportive family, a search can cause much anxiety.
A Century Later
o search…or not to search? That is the question many adoptees struggle with at some time in their lives. These people seek out their birth parents for many different reasons -- to acquire medical histories, fill a void in their lives, or, sometimes, just for curiosity sake. Answers to such fundamental questions help adoptees learn more about who they are and, possibly, where they are going.
The OLV Infant Home In the early 1900s, unmarried and pregnant women were, often, shunned by their communities. As a result, they often did the unthinkable in order to go on with their lives - at times, taking tragic steps to cover pregnancies out of wedlock. Upon learning of infant bones being dredged out of the nearby Erie Canal, our founder, Venerable Nelson Baker, made it his mission to create a safe, nurturing place for God’s precious little ones and their desperate, socially
Women from across the country came to the Infant Home for care. For them, it turned despair into a second chance and heartache into hope. Anyone was welcome regardless of financial standing - and no questions were asked.
Today, Baker Victory Services (BVS), the organization that was created as the Infant Home’s programming evolved, maintains approximately 30,000 of its historical adoption records. Given that large number, it’s no surprise that Joanne White, our adoption liaison, frequently receives calls and visits from folks seeking information. “I’m happy to meet with and help individuals searching for answers,” says Joanne. “I listen to their story and share what details I can under the current New York State law.”
For hundreds of adoptees, their journey to discovering themselves runs through Our Lady of Victory
Home. Her visit, many decades after she had left the campus, afforded her some closure and gave her the chance to share her story with loved ones.
An Adoptee’s Story A loving couple, unable to have children of their own, journeyed to the Infant Home to see if their greatest desire could be fulfilled. That search led them to adopt a handsome, two-month-old boy named Michael. A year later, they adopted his sister! Baker Victory Services’ Joanne White is proud and happy to help adoptees who contact her seeking information.
A Son Searches One such person was John from Gainesville, Fla., who contacted us seeking his deceased mother’s records. As a child, John recalls her telling him that she was adopted from the Infant Home. As one of 11 children in his family, his aunts – his mother’s (adopted) step-sisters – were often called upon to lend a hand and he and his siblings grew very fond of them! “My mother never knew her birth parents, but always wanted information on them, so I set out to see what I could find about this adoption that was meant to be,” he says. After spending time here with Joanne and gathering what he could find through the website Ancestry.com, John was able to put some of the pieces together. Back to the Beginning Just this summer, a 90-year-old woman traveled from Ohio to our campus to visit the site of the Infant Home, where she gave birth to a child when she was just 18. She recalled that her parents, ashamed of her pregnancy at the time, wanted to hide her, so they sent her here, alone, by train. Despite the terrible story behind her arrival, she received loving care, support and counseling while at the Infant
I was blessed to have such amazing adopted parents who shaped and molded who I am,” says Michael, now grown up and with kids of his own. “I’m so grateful for the life I’ve been able to lead because of them!” While his adoptive parents were alive, Michael had no interest in searching for information about his birth Michael, pictured, here, as a little one, credits everything to his parents. But, shortly beloved adoptive parents. after they passed, he became curious about his Irish heritage. So he decided to pursue a search through genealogy websites, and, as a result, he quickly connected with cousins, aunts, and uncles. He then contacted Joanne who provided Michael with what Infant Home records she could. Further, to his delight, she told him about the possibility of a new state law that, if signed by the governor, would allow adoptees to apply for their “original” (long form) birth certificate.
The Legacy Continues While the services provided at the OLV Infant Home have evolved and changed from Father Baker’s time, his brave and compassionate act of fighting for those most in need, still resonates. Just ask the thousands of children, like Michael, who got a new lease on life within its halls.
Face
A Familiar E
arlier this year, the OLV organizations’ “care-giving arm,” Baker Victory Services (BVS), named Cindy Lee its new Chief Executive Officer.
Cindy has more than 30 years of leadership experience, including the last few right here at BVS. She was the agency’s Chief Clinical Officer and Director of Education prior to being named CEO. Her past also includes positions at the Cantalician Center for Learning, Westbook Preparatory School (Westbury, N.Y.), and the Greece and Le Roy school districts.
As the new head of BVS, Cindy will oversee the compassionate work of approximately 1,000 employees, who provide highly specialized mental, emotional, and behavioral services to more than 4,200 children, youth, and families annually. “I value the impact each team member at BVS has on the individuals we serve each day,” said Cindy. “We certainly have our challenges, as all non-profit organizations do, but I am a believer in our team and am looking forward to solidifying Baker Victory Services as an agency of choice. I’m honored to carry on the legacy of Father Baker and the ‘City of Charity’ he started years ago.” We wish Cindy and her team blessings as they move Father Baker’s historic programs into the 21st century!
Hundreds of compassionate people – like YOU – supported our “Coming Home” project in the spring. And, as shown in the photos here, you made a big difference in the lives of our residents! Recently-completed renovations greatly improved the quality of life of individuals with developmental disabilities and young mothers and their little ones. The work led to the addition of wheelchair ramps, outdoor “calm” spaces, individualized bedrooms/ bathrooms and more. All of the changes have already made a big difference. Just ask Marcus: “Thank you! I love my room! We love our house. It feels brand new!”
Home is where the
Heart is On September 25th and 26th, our very own Nelson Cottage received a facelift thanks to the kind individuals from The Home Depot. Established in 2016, the Emergency Foster Care Program provides a safe, immediate placement option in cases where children are removed from their homes for their own protection. Our program is the only one of its kind in Western New York. Interior and exterior improvements were necessary due to the age and condition of the cottage. Constructed in the 1950s, the cinder-block building was institutional in nature and did not offer the ideal home-like setting necessary to best care for children, many of whom have behavioral and emotional issues brought on by a history of trauma, neglect, or abuse. Improvements such as a new kitchen, bathroom, paint, and landscaping will help provide a warm and comfortable environment for children during this difficult time in their lives. Thank you to The Home Depot for its generous donation and for those team members who graciously gave their time to improve the lives of our children!
Donor Advised Funds An Investment for the Future The fund is administered by a nonprofit, called a sponsoring organization, that invests the assets and manages the donor’s account. Community foundations and nonprofit arms of financial-service firms often serve as sponsoring organizations.
A Flexible, Low Cost Alternative to a Private Foundation A Donor Advised Fund (DAF) offers you a flexible and easy-to-establish vehicle for charitable giving. Unlike private foundation (PF) gifts, DAF gifts generally qualify for a full fair market value charitable deduction and DAFs have lower startup costs. A DAF also permits you to make grants to Our Lady of Victory Homes of Charity without the unfavorable PF restrictions and excise taxes.
DONOR ADVISED FUNDS—YOUR FUTURE AND OURS
When you make a contribution into a DAF of cash, stock, or other assets like real estate or artwork you can take an immediate tax deduction for the gift. While you’re deciding which charities to support, your donation can potentially grow based on your investment preferences, making available even more money for charities.
IT’S EASY TO GET STARTED
Simply contact your financial advisor or financial services firm to discuss fund agreements. Your advisor can assist you if you have unique or special assets that may be donated in a tax efficient way.
Your Philanthropic Vision Donor Advised Funds are established for unrestricted charitable purposes. You can support virtually any IRS-qualified public charity through grants from your DAF. Contact your DAF manager with your philanthropic vision in order to make gifts to the Homes of Charity and other organizations and causes you love.
For information about ways you can support Our Lady of Victory Homes of Charity with your Donor Advised Fund contact:
Kevin P. McLaughlin
Mission Advancement Gift Officer Tel: (716) 828-9530
Email: kmclaughlin@homesofcharity.org
Friends of Father Baker Overview
Joy to the World!
We are proud to announce the 2019 Friends of Father Baker Service to Youth Award; Youth Service Award; and Employee Service Award recipients:
Our 2019 Christmas cards are hot off the presses and now available! To get your package of four today, just call (716) 828-9648.
• Robert Greene Phillips Lytle LLP – Service to Youth Award • Chloe Den Haese D’Youville College — Youth Service Award • Antonio Evans The WAY Program at Baker Victory Services – Employee Service Award The reception will be held on Friday, Nov. 8, 2019, with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. The cost of a ticket is $125 and the event will be at a new location – The Admiral Room at The Marin Building in Buffalo. If you want to buy a ticket, or have questions about an event sponsorships, please contact Betsy Sullivan, Special Events Coordinator, at 716-828-9289 or bsullivan@homesofcharity.org.
Celebrate Adoption Month November is National Awareness Adoption month, a time to celebrate and to give thanks for the blessings received by adoptees and their adopted parents. To do so, a Mass will be celebrated in our magnificent Basilica, built by Father Baker, on Sunday, November 17, 2019 at noon followed by a reception in the Father Baker Museum. Please join us for this celebration!
Lives You Have Touched... 190
1,047
1,807
Children found sanctuary and loving homes through our foster-care programs
Youths and families benefited from our home-based counseling and support programs
Little ones received Early Intervention services (ex. speech, PT) and a foundational pre-school education