Dear Friends of the Baby Institute:

To say so much has happened since we were last in touch is an understatement.

Just before the pandemic turned the world upside down, we lost our dear friend Matthew Bender IV, who brought his support and vision to the Baby Institute and so many other community organizations in Albany and beyond. We will all certainly miss him but know the Baby Institute is stronger and better because of his commitment.

As you probably know, COVID-19 forced the Baby Institute Board of Directors to cancel the 2^nd Annual Awards Luncheon on June 7. In late 2020, the Board will assess the environment in hopes of resuming this event in some form in 2021 to celebrate the work of the Baby Institute and to appropriately recognize MVP Health Care for its steadfast support of the Baby Institute and so many other organizations in our community.

But, during the pandemic, the Baby Institute’s work has not stopped – it has just taken on another dimension. While the parent workshops and engagement groups were placed on pause when the Albany schools closed, I have been staying connected to the Baby Institute families. In fact, the Baby Institute received a grant awarded from the COVID-19 Response Fund of the Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region and the United Way of the Capital Region; it has allowed us to share gift cards, food, toys, books and other literacy materials with our families. Thus I have been able to maintain a connection and to provide much needed support to our community.

We just received news that the City School District of Albany will be partnering with us for our summer program. So the many children who depend on us to keep their learning alive will have the opportunity to do so again this summer.

Our many thanks to Superintendent Kaweeda Adams who felt, as we did, about the importance of making sure that our children are safe and learning over the next few months. We will be back at the Tony Clement Center for Education on Elk Street, Albany, where we have been housed for the past two summers. It is a large bright space, with an adequate numbers of rooms, a gym and play area outside. We will, of course, make certain the environment is a safe one. While the dates are still to be determined, we are enthused and appreciative.

We received a very generous donation of children’s clothing and toys from Good 360, a national non-profit organization that partners with Toys for Tots; it decided to provide for children now rather than wait for the holidays.

So our work continues to serve the most vulnerable families and children in Albany’s Arbor Hill, West Hill and South End. In this time, when education is changing to deal with the new normal, literacy is no less important than it was four months ago. Our children must be ready to learn; they must learn to read; and their parents must be there – as their first teachers and advocates. This is the work of the Baby Institute. Our very being is so connected to the generosity of this community – of all of you who have helped make the Baby Institute possible. Please consider a gift at this time (The Baby Institute, PO Box 774, Albany, NY 12201).

Again, the Baby Institute, our Board of Directors and I thank you. We look forward to re-connecting with you soon. Please stay well and safe.

Sincerely,

Noelene Smith, MSW

Founder & Executive Director

The Baby Institute