To e-mail me: tarah@theorphansociety.org

The launch of OSA brings me great pleasure. Thanks for allowing me to explain how our organization will enhance the quality of life for orphans and orphan caregivers in America.

OSA was founded because of a profound personal experience. I am an orphan. Following the death of my mom and dad during my youth, my grandparents provided me with a safe place in their home, support and opportunities for education, revitalization and growth.

I felt fortunate to have had a loving extended family and close friends. But, like many orphans – whether in kinship, foster, adoptive or group home care – I still felt deeply forlorn without my nuclear family or relationships with people who truly understood what it was like to be parentless.

In addition to wanting to offer present day orphans and their caregivers with innovative healing programs and educational resources that accentuate the value of connection, self-empowerment and optimism, another tragedy motivated me to develop this charity.

I was living in NYC on 9/11. Like many others, my mind was boggled, disbelieving. Soon after the trueness of the attack sunk in though, I focused on this question: how will the children whose parents died cope with this catastrophe? Thankfully, a charity surfaced soon thereafter to assist the grieving children, though this didn’t entirely quell my concern. There are many orphaned children and youth in America who need help, a lot of whom don’t get the specialized care they need to physically and emotionally thrive.

The creation of OSA is undeniably rooted in my own experience as an orphan. But it will be OSA’s Board, staff, volunteers and -- most importantly the orphans and caregivers OSA serves –- who will help OSA mature into the most effective and highly-regarded orphan care organization in America.

Because OSA is non-denominational and non-governmental, our programs are supported exclusively through the donations of individuals, corporations and foundations.

There are some special people who helped me transition OSA from an idea to a reality. I’d like to thank my husband Jim for love, tolerance and truth, my son Jesse Bruce for providing me with an unrivaled sense of joy and purpose, my dear friend Sari Levy for inspiration and relentless enthusiasm, Atty. Don Kramer for sound legal advice, Dr. Fred Kass for sharp intellect and help navigating the labyrinth, Mirko Ilic for awesome artistic talent, Marcy and Dan Brody for exceptional photography, Robin Cook for great printing and bigheartedness, Jason Tharp for positive energy and extraordinary designs, Neysa Huber for behind-the-scenes efficiency, and Jeni Howe for being my cohort in research and a kindred spirit. Finally, I am most grateful to my aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents for generously providing and caring for me following the death of my parents.

I am honored that you have taken the time to read this note. I hope you will help OSA fulfill its vision and mission. I would be happy to hear from you with comments, suggestions, etc. tarah@theorphansociety.org

Many thanks,
Tarah Epstein Baiman