In the mid-1980’s, large numbers of children with HIV/AIDS were abandoned, orphaned, or removed from their parents because of drug use, neglect or abuse. The foster care system was unable to find foster parents willing to care for these children. As a result, these so-called “boarder babies,” who had nowhere to live, languished for months, even years on New York City’s hospital wards.

In response to these conditions, the Incarnation Children’s Center (ICC) was created. In 1988, a four-story, red brick, former convent in upper Manhattan was converted into a homelike residence for twenty-four HIV positive children. ICC was dubbed “the Ellis Island for homeless children with AIDS.” During the program’s first three years, two-thirds of New York City’s boarder babies were admitted to ICC. After an average stay of one month, these children went into foster care. After three years, there was actually a surplus of foster parents, for all but the sickest children. New York City’s “ boarder baby crisis” had ended and ICC had played a pivotal role in this success story.

ICC then turned it’s attention to the plight of those children with AIDS who were too sick to live at home, but not sick enough to require hospitalization. Having learned that very ill children often improved dramatically with proper nurturing and high-quality medical and nursing care, ICC pioneered the concept of convalescent care for them. Many children presumed terminally ill improved clinically and returned to a home setting. For other children, ICC remained a sanctuary full of love.

In 2000, ICC became licensed as a Skilled Nursing Facility and is licensed by the New York State Department of Health. In 2005, we were able to serve 34 children. The number of children we serve in a year depends on our current population’s care needs. Our children range in age from one to eighteen years of age. They represent all five boroughs of New York and a growing number have recently emigrated from Africa.

ICC is the only pediatric skilled nursing facility exclusively serving HIV-infected children from natural, adoptive and foster families.