Big Family

Nearly 60 years ago, Jeanne Fowler experienced a traumatic, abusive childhood of daily torture at the hands of her mother. Jeanne’s three-year-old brother died as a result of the abuse and young Jeanne – scared and alone – landed in the foster care system. Her experience fueled her drive to stop child abuse and improve the lives of children in foster care so they may never experience a childhood like hers.

Jeanne founded St. Clair Shores-based Big Family of Michigan. Big Family is a grassroots non-profit organization that supports the needs of foster children from infancy through age 18 with extras that others might take for granted. From school supplies and recreational outings to educational support and scholarships, Big Family’s mission is to help as many of the 14,000 children in Michigan’s foster system know that they are special, loved and deserving of a better life.

First State Bank salutes Big Family of Michigan’s commitment to bring a brighter future to children in our state’s foster care system and the bank recently presented Big Family with a $5,000 donation. In addition to its monetary donation, First State Bank employees have volunteered their time helping the organization wrap gifts for the children it serves.