A real nonprofit, born from a novel
Neighbors as Family
In A Walk Down Rushville, Skyler imagines an organization that helps people without family connect with the neighbors around them. Barbara decided to make it real.
The Neighbors as Family Foundation connects people who are without a family, for any reason, to neighbors who want to become their created or adopted family. It encourages community gatherings that bring lonely individuals together with the people right around them, and gives those new families a place to share their stories.
Because of neighbors, no one needs to be without a family.
Author's note
Where this began, for me
When I was a child in the suburbs of Pittsburgh, Saturdays were special. At five years old, while my parents slept until ten, I woke early, ran out the back door, and headed down a small path to our neighbor's house. I could smell the bacon within a few steps. In less than a minute I was standing outside the screen door to their kitchen, looking in.
They turned to me without surprise as I said what I always said, I am starved. Mary Jo opened the door, picked me up, set me in the captain's chair at the head of the table, and made me a plate of bacon, eggs, and toast. The food was delicious, but the love served up at that table stayed in my heart forever. That was my first experience of neighbors as family, and not the last.
To this day, many of my closest friends live within blocks of my home. I met them on walks, talking across the fence, or getting the mail. I still miss my family of origin, many of whom have passed, and my sister who lives across the country. But my heart is warmed by my created family, the neighbors and friends who filled a missing piece when my family was gone or far away.
That is my story. What is yours?