Hello All-
This is the start to our BigHouse Blog. Hopefully through this blog I'll be able to share our current news and updates with anyone interested in our organization. I am currently in the planning stages of this endeavor... I am collecting emails and discussing ideas with my friends and family to generate interest in our organization. So...you want the scoop?
To tell the story of where the idea BigHouse began, I must give some background information to my family's story. First of all, my parents are current foster parents, and they have been fostering children since January 2007. Less than a week after my wedding, my parents had a sibling group 4 children living in their home. This was a big adjustment for everyone, including me, and I didn't even live there anymore. I have two younger brothers who are in high school, and you can image the change in their lives. Now, a year and a half later, the adjusting continues but I think if you asked anyone in our family if they would do it again, they would.
Since then, my personal outlook on foster families has changed. I now see how much sacrifice is made by these people who volunteer (that's right, they aren't paid!) to be foster parents. But I have also seen how eager and willing people are to help and assist foster families when they are given an opportunity. Whether it has been donated clothes, free babysitting, or even a whole play yard, friends and family have come out of the woodwork to help my parents raise these children. This not only encouraged my parents, it helped me realize how much people want to help, yet they have no idea what to do. Thus the reason for BigHouse; BigHouse will take the needs of foster families and connect them with the generosity of our community. BigHouse will provide the essentials of childhood to children who desperately need to be kids... Our community members can give their time by mentoring a child, providing babysitting, tutoring and being an advocate for foster care. Our community can give their money to provide for small things such as haircuts and yearbooks or bigger things, like birthday parties and vacations. Our community can give their abilities and resources to provide art lessons, music lessons, dance classes, and sports instruction.
The whole purpose of this organization is to assist foster families in the care of their children. Not only making sure they have food and shelter, but that they are also given opportunities to learn and grow and be a child. This is not only an option; it is a requirement of our community. The first line of the National Foster Child Bill of Rights states "Even more than for other children, society has a responsibility, along with parents, for the well-being of children in foster care. Citizens are responsible for acting to insure their welfare. ".
Thank you for reading. If you are interested in our organization, please email or post your contact information. My email is micahbmelnick@hotmail.com.
-micah
