• There are more than 20,000 foster children in Michigan

2011 MICHIGANIAN
OF THE YEAR

2011 Detroit News Michiganian of the Year

Since 1978, The Detroit News has paid homage to individuals who exemplify excellence, courage, philanthropy and simple acts of kindness that uplift not only the metro area, but the entire state of Michigan.

From titans in the boardroom, entertainers and most-valuable athletes to community activists and unsung heroes, the recipients of this prestigious honor have worked unselfishly to help others, oftentimes without seeking recognition for themselves.

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ALERT

As of October 30, in order to prepare for our Christmas drives, please do not donate household items. However, we will gladly accept new, unwrapped toys to provide to the many children in need. Household items will be accepted after the beginning of the new year.

NEW PHOTOS

Click here to view images from our 2012 Charity Auction

UPCOMING EVENTS

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NEEDED ITEMS

Currently, we are in need of specific items to give to our young adult friends that are aging out of the foster care system.

OUR MISSION

Mission Statement:
Big Family of Michigan serves the needs of Michigan's foster children and young adults.

Goal:
To support programs that provide Michigan's foster children and young adults the chance they deserve for happy productive lives.

How we Achieve our Goal:

Birthday in a bag:
Party supplies, treats and party favors along with a gift for the birthday child and the other siblings in the home is assembled and given to the worker or foster parent to create a party for the foster child.

Love Packs:
This emergency package contains the following: age/gender appropriate toiletries, socks, underwear, pj’s. These packages are currently made available to 5 counties in Michigan and their respective child protective services departments.

Aging Out Program:
Suitcases and containers filled with dorm/apartment necessities for aged out foster youth need to build an independent life. Contents of the suitcases and containers are determined by the board and the availability of resources.

Education Supply Program:
School supplies are given out to foster children and young aged out foster youth prior to the fall semester and made available during the year as requested. These supplies include standard stationary items and backpacks. The late summer backpack drive and the Big Family of Michigan community partners ensure the continued availability of school supplies.

Christmas/Holiday celebrations &events:
Through various partnerships, candy, new toys, hats, gloves and scarves are collected and distributed to foster children and families identified by agencies, churches and community groups. During the holiday season the working poor are also included in the distribution of holiday gifts.

Recreational activities:
Partnerships with the Detroit Tigers, Detroit Pistons and the Detroit Lions enable Big Family of Michigan to accompany foster youth to professional sporting events. Big Family of Michigan provides additional financial support to ensure each child has something to eat and drink at the events.

Scholarship:
Big Family of Michigan gives some college scholarships and solicits donations from other individuals, businesses and 501c3’s. This effort may expand to include K-12 foster children by providing the youth the opportunity to experience extra-curricular classes not open to the child due to limited family income.

Community Partnerships:
The partnerships that Big Family of Michigan has established will continue and new partnerships will develop that focus on a common shared purpose of supporting Michigan’s foster children, their families and young aged out foster adults.

New Programs:
Big Family of Michigan’s Board of Directors will continue to evaluate new ideas and programs to determine if the new idea/program fits the mission of the organization.