POWERGRAMS

40 PROFILE Together, the family visited the Georgia Aquarium – a first for Noah. They aended an Auburn University football game and enjoyed kayaking on the Coosa River. "My 6-year-old told everybody that Noah was his new brother, and he was going to live with us forever," Mitchell said. Before Noah joined the family, Mitchell was required to complete a 12-week foster-care certification program, which introduced her to the role and responsibilities, and provided a deep dive into what to expect. Mitchell said a friend who is a foster mom inspired her. She also became interested in becoming a foster parent through her volunteer work with BigHouse Foundation. An Opelika nonprofit, BigHouse provides support for foster children and their families, and works to educate the community about their needs. Mitchell started volunteering with BigHouse six years ago aer meeting its founders, Blake and Micah Melnick. The couple established BigHouse in 2009 while they were in college. Micah's parents had fostered and adopted three children. That introduction into the world of foster care led Micah to want to do more for children who have been overlooked by society. Mitchell has become a "familiar face" at BigHouse. Each month, she helps with Kids Night Out, which gives foster parents a "free" evening" for dinner or a movie, or simply some quiet time on their own. "Volunteering at Kids Night Out connected me with foster families and opened my eyes and my heart to the needs of this community," Mitchell said. "Every child deserves to feel wanted, safe and loved. Many people have the misconception that these kids are bad. They are not bad but simply in a bad situation through no fault of their own." Mitchell has also headed the Alabama Power Service Organization (APSO) Auburn subchapter's efforts on behalf of BigHouse. For the past three years, Auburn APSO members have collected toys and money for Santa's Workshop, an annual shopping spree for foster and adoptive kids and their families. Auburn APSO donates items for BigHouse's springtime swimsuit and towel drive. Through this effort, the children each receive a monogrammed swimsuit and towel. "It's so exciting for these kids to have something that really belongs to them," Mitchell said. "When they come into foster care, they oen have nothing but the clothes on their back." While Noah lived with the Mitchells, BigHouse took on a whole new meaning for the family. A representative from the organization began by calling Mitchell to offer encouragement and a helping hand. Noah received a New to Care bag with a toothbrush, toothpaste, socks, underwear, clothes and other necessities. He took part in BigHouse programs, such as Kids Night Out and Santa's Workshop, and received a gi on his birthday. Meanwhile, Mitchell participated in "Moms Meet Up" support meetings, where she could share issues and concerns with foster mothers and learn how they handle similar situations. "BigHouse was a great source of knowledge, especially to those of us who were new to fostering," Mitchell said. "They were able to answer my questions, even the ones I didn't know to ask. I would have been lost without them." Micah Melnick said Mitchell has been a friend to BigHouse in more ways than one. "Jessica is the type of person/friend/ volunteer that every individual or organization wants to have," said Melnick, executive director of BigHouse. "Even aer becoming a foster parent, she has continued to serve others and support BigHouse. She encourages us by believing and supporting our dreams for BigHouse while following her own as well. We are grateful for her friendship, her commitment to the cause, her love for other foster and adoptive families and kids, and her heart for children in care." Noah moved in with another foster family on New Year's Eve. But he remains a big part of Mitchell's family, oen texting her and regularly visiting her and her boys at their home. "The most rewarding part of this journey through fostering has been seeing the smile on Noah's face and knowing that he knows he is loved, by us and by God," Mitchell said. "We are not a foster family anymore, but a forever family. He may live in another home now, but no maer where he goes or who he lives with, he will always be our family." By Carla Davis Noah and a foster brother play on iPad. The Mitchell family enjoyed recreation with foster child. PHOTOS BY JESSICA MITCHELL Mitchell

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