In our first class, I was really surprised to learn that, on average, about 73% of non-profit funding comes from individuals. That is almost 3/4's of a non-profit's budget! Why it shocked me, I'm not sure but it really helped me realize that BigHouse needs to do a much better job of engaging individuals to support our programs. It is the financial commitment of our families, friends, co-workers, neighbors, church congregations, community members and complete strangers that will keep BigHouse running. And we need that commitment. We need people who will stand with BigHouse financially.
Now, I know we are all asked about 1,000,000,000 times each week, month, year, to donate money to a cause. And most of these things are really great causes that deserve your support! It can be hard to know who or what to support, especially when money gets tight and support may be limited. That is why I am asking our families, friends, co-workers, neighbors, church congregations, and community members (and complete strangers) to please prayerfully consider supporting BigHouse. If God leads you to support other groups- that is great and you should! BUT if God is leading you to support BigHouse, please be obedient to His call. We hear it said often "I can't do foster care but I want to help" and this is a BIG way you can help. Supporting BigHouse supports those who are able to be foster parents. Supporting BigHouse supports those in our county and state that are most vulnerable. Supporting BigHouse helps us reach over 3,000 children in Alabama's foster care system each year through one or more of our many programs.
Maybe you are wondering exactly what your giving would support... That is a great question! BigHouse has many programs in place to support foster families in Lee County and we are working on growing them to support other counties as well!
Our Clothes Closet is one of most utilized programs because it meets an immediate and tangible need for our families. We keep new or gently used clothing for preemies to young adults organized and ready for our families to shop- FOR FREE. Our clothes closet is dependent on quality donations from families in our community and support from our clothes closet sponsor Kids Clothes Connection. Without this help, many of our families would bear the financial burden of clothing their children alone. Although small vouchers may be available to new children in care, it can take days to receive the voucher and it is hard to build a complete wardrobe for a child on a voucher for around $65. This is a tangible need BigHouse meets for children in foster care.
One example of how God provides for our families through our clothes closet was a time when a group of young siblings came into care in the middle of the night. They brought only the clothes they were wearing to their new foster family. First thing the next morning, they came to BigHouse on their way to a court hearing. We were able to find suitable school/play clothes, shoes, some underwear and pajamas for all the kids. And we watched these sweet, scared little children play in twirl in clothes they picked out. I will never forget how it felt to see their faces light up in their new clothes.
Another program that is popular with our kids and parents alike is our KNOs! Our Kids' Night Out program allows us to provide respite care for 3 hours 1 Friday night a month for our families. Parents drop their kids off with us for an evening of fun, food, and a fair share of chaos! We play games, do crafts, watch movies, eat dinner, and have a lot of fun, all while getting to know and love on our BigHouse kids. We also get the opportunity to share God's love with the kids through our time, energy, words and actions. We average about 50 children each month, ranging in age from infants to teens. We are so thankful for our KNO Partner Cornerstone Church and the blessing they have been to provide a space and meal for all our KNOs this spring.
The biggest program we do at BigHouse is our Statewide Swimsuit and Towel Drive. This drive is in its 4th year and this will be our second year to do it statewide. BigHouse will collect new swimsuits and new bath or beach towels for children in foster care. We will have each towel embroidered with the child's name to make it extra special and unique. Last year we completed 3421 requests from children in 61 out of 67 counties. We include a card to each child that explains that their community loves and supports them and that they have a Heavenly Father that will never fail them. The feedback we have received from kids, teens and families lets us know that this drive is important to helping these kids feel cherished and special. For many, this may be the only thing they have every had personalized just for them.
BigHouse has many other programs including a Birthday Club, Preschool Mothers' Day Out, Tutoring, Summer Day Camp, Family Beach Retreat, Back to School Bash, Glitz, Glam and Gowns Event, Care Packages, and Breakfast with Santa, all of which you can learn more about on our website. Our goal with ALL our programs and events is to provide for the needs foster children and families have while sharing Christ love with them. We hope that we can plant a seed or make an impact that God can grow and magnify for His Glory.
Supporting BigHouse with your finances will not only help us grow and take these programs to other children in other counties, it will also allow us to keep the lights on(so to speak) at BigHouse. Your support will help provide our rent and utilities, our 2 paid staff, and our insurance and background checks so we can continue to work with these children. Your giving, whether it is a little or a lot, will go a long way in our efforts to serve foster families. If you are one of the many people we have spoken to that want to provide for the needs of children in care, but can't be a foster parent, please become a BigHouse supporter. We NEED you!
To make a one time donation OR set up a recurring donation (as little as $10 per month!) please use our Razoo Donation Page.
**Razoo is an established organization that helps non-profits like us set up ways to accept online donations!
Thank you all for reading and praying about this opportunity. We look forward to having others join us in our passion to support foster children.
-Micah Melnick
Founder and Executive Director
Have a question? Shoot me an email at micah@ourbighouse.org
