Big Family of Michigan serves the needs of children in Michigan’s foster care system through the time they age out at 18. They continually seek opportunities to partner with community groups and businesses that support the common goal of helping children.
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HOW THEY MAKE A DIFFERENCE
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Birthday in a Bag:
Party supplies, treats and party favors along with a gift for the birthday child are given to the social worker to create a party for the foster child.
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Aging Out Program:
Aging out foster youth receive some of the important necessities they need to build an independent life, such as: bedding, linens, kitchen items, etc.
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School Supplies Program:
School supplies are provided for foster children prior to the fall semester and made available during the year as requested for Kindergarten through college.
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Holiday Celebrations and Events:
Games and toys (new), hats/gloves/scarves, blankets, candy and much more are collected through donations/drives then distributed to foster children identified by agencies, churches and community groups.

Recreational Activities:
Partnerships with the Detroit Tigers, Detroit Pistons and the Detroit Lions enable Big Family to accompany foster youth to professional sporting events with Big Family treating the children to the refreshments. Big Family does not provide spending monies for the children who are recipients of the tickets, that is the responsibility of the agency or group bringing the children to the game.

Educational Support:
$1,000 scholarships are awarded through applications for college bound foster youth. These are made possible through donations from individuals, businesses and partnering 501c3 organizations. Plans are to expand this program to include K-12 foster children to provide them the opportunity to experience extra-curricular classes that most foster families cannot afford. We no longer provide extra curricular monies for individual camps, private lessons, etc.. *At this time, the scholarship program is currently suspended pending the infusion of more monetary donations.

MARE Support:
Michigan Adoption Resource Exchange (MARE) enlists the support of Big Family for their Adoption Festival each year. Big Family provides arts and crafts, carnival games, stuffed animals, entertainment, candy and goodie bags for all the children as well as many volunteers to work the festival.