Our families can look forward to...

The BBHC is a log cabin home just for your family to enjoy a 5-day retreat, free of charge. The house is fully equipped with linens and towels, a fully stocked kitchen, as well as games, puzzles, and books. You can also enjoy outdoor activities, like hiking trails in the woods, a fishing pond (with equipment provided), paddle boats, bikes, a fire pit, and both the house and grounds have beautiful expansive views. The home is handicap accessible, and sleeps up to eleven people, with a master bedroom, a bunk room, two dens with pullout couches and trundle beds, and two full bathrooms. 

The Highlights…

• A five day stay, from Wednesday to Sunday, at no cost to you or your family

• A stocked refrigerator and pantry to prepare your family's favorite recipes

• 160 acres of woods, fields, and streams to explore

• Enjoy paddle boating or fishing on our large pond

• Opportunity to experience the beauty, history, and entertainment in and around Auburn, NY

• Relax, Refresh, and Reconnect by sharing family time

OUR 2022 FUNDRAISER EVENT FOR CHAMPIONS FOR LIFE AND THE BRIAN BISGROVE HOME OF COURAGE

EXCERPTS from JAMIE SWANSON’S SPEECH

Good evening, my name is Jamie Swanson and I am honored to be here tonight to share what Brian Bisgrove Home of Courage means to me and my family.  My family has been honored to be a recipient of staying at the Brian Bisgrove Home of Courage. Home of Courage will always be a special place in my family’s hearts. 

It is a place where a family with medical needs or special needs can leave the diagnosis at the doorstep. It is a time to be still and just relax and not to worry. This family respite opportunity rejuvenates families and gives them the peace and strength they need when they leave.

I have a ministry to help special needs families in their everyday struggles and I will say that I have never heard of another place that gives families respite with zero cost to the families. This makes Home of Courage that much more important and that much more needed. Brian Bisgrove Home of Courage goes before the families and takes care of all of their needs during their stay, filling the pantry and refrigerator so meals are easier for families.

Everything is carefully thought of to help families have fun and make memories. There is a fire pit, firewood, and items to make smores. When we were there in September of 2021, we enjoyed the stillness of being in a rural environment. We enjoyed the stars and telling stories at the fire because there was nothing to worry about.

Brian Bisgrove Home of Courage gives families teachable moments on how to put fun on the calendar. These memories will forever stay with families. They teach families that less can be more. It is removing electronics and focusing on the simplistic. Some of the items we have enjoyed as a family include: board games, bonfires, fishing, taking the golf cart out to the pond, sitting on the swing, having a cup of tea on a quiet morning on the front porch or deck, and walking in the woods. It is taking moments to be still and enjoy the beautiful sunsets and sunrises. 

My 14 year old son who is non verbal LOVES calendars. He will bring the calendar to me and points to dates. He loves filling the calendar with activities. One day, I realized at that moment that we needed to put more fun on our calendar. It was at this point that I realized that all research went to healing and none for fun. In addition, vacations seemed harder. There were always so much drama. We tried experiencing vacations, but it just got harder and harder. My mother-in-law often accompanies us and when we came to Home of Courage she said the following words, “I feel like we were on a vacation.” My children could be themselves and they had all the space to do just that. The entire family had peace.

I have shared this wonderful opportunity with many other families. Many have said this was their first family vacation. Many feel God’s loving presence and peace. 

While walking around the house, one gets a glimpse of who Brian Bisgrove was and his faith. Even in hardships and tragedy, we are reminded that goodness can always come from it.

One hardship that many caretakers will not tell you is we try to look like a typical family. We want those pictures and family getaways. Home of Courage makes this dream a reality to so many families that otherwise couldn’t go on a vacation. For a period of time, instead of hardships, there are smiles, happiness and pure joy.

When I went on the website and looked at the pictures, there are some familiar faces that I know, but there are also families that I do not know. However, they all have something in common and that is the big smiles on their faces. Because of your generosity, you make this happen. 

Thank you for giving families PEACE. 

Thank you for giving families HOPE – Hope for the present, but also for the future.

You remind families that they are seen, they are heard, and they are not alone. 

Thank you for teaching families that a diagnosis does not stop a family from experiencing JOY. 

With a picture of Brian Bisgrove, these words I reflected on:

To know the will of God is the greatest knowledge. To find the will of God is the greatest discovery. To do the will of God is the greatest achievement.

John 12:26 If anyone would serve me, let him follow me; where I am, there will my servant be. If anyone serves me, him the Father will honor.

Walking around the Brian Bisgrove Home of Courage, there are plaques in each room and who dedicated the room. Many families, like my own, often feel alone and isolated. These were a reminder that we are not alone. People in the community believes in the mission of HOPE. 

As a family that has been blessed by your generosity, THANK YOU!

Thank you for caring. Thank you for making a difference in each of the families that walk-through Brian Bisgrove Home of Courage!