Birthday parties are such an exciting time for little children. With fun themes, friends, and gifts, a birthday is something all children look forward to. However, not all children are fortunate enough to celebrate their life with a party. Birthdays can be expensive, hectic, and stressful. Some families are unable to afford a party, and some children are without families and homes in general.
According to the American Institutes For Research, a shocking 2.5 million children are homeless each year in America. These children are suffering in silence for more than just lack of celebration. Nonetheless, this California teen is bringing more joy to these children than ever before.
Everyone child should be celebrated on their birthday because each of them IS a gift. Tanvi Barman who created this nonprofit #NoBirthdayLeftBehind recognizes that! ❤️Be inspired and spread joy! 🥳😍 https://t.co/Frj2WZ3bzO
— Romi Kamberg ✍ #HandMarkedPaperBallots ✍ (@romiabm) September 30, 2019
Tanvi Barman, a 17-year-old girl from Hayward California gives up her free weekends for the type of party you’re least expecting. Barman gives up her weekends to throw birthday parties for homeless children around the Bay area. These children are homeless, most living in shelters. According to CBS News, Barman runs off of a charity organization she created in eighth grade called “No Birthday Left Behind“. The aspiration of No Birthday Left Behind “is to provide every homeless shelter child an opportunity to celebrate their birthday in a special and memorable way!”
Starting off the day of the party Tanvi is unfamiliar with these children, but that soon changes. Barman states in an interview with CBS News, “Within an hour, they’re holding my hands, they’re tugging on my sleeve, and they really trust me.” These guarded children are quick to come to her side with love and affection as she shows them how their life can be celebrated.
There’s always good news somewhere!
— Stephanie Ruhle (@SRuhle) April 29, 2019
When Tanvi Barman learned kids in homeless shelters weren’t able to have birthday cakes & parties to celebrate, she took action.
She created https://t.co/vHDEulqcKk to organize parties for kids living in homeless shelters. #GoodNewsRUHLES pic.twitter.com/UMX8g9ePfL
Barman receives various donations from different organizations to provide decorations and crafts and works specifically with “Cakes For Kids” to provide a birthday cake for a child in need. She also receives a lot of help from her parents whom are her true inspiration for this project. She stated to CBS News, “I think my parents are really the backbone of help to this program.” Barman got her inspiration from traveling with her parents to various shelters and seeing children who never got a party like the ones she had every year.
Barman personalizes each party for each specific child. With sponsors such as Mod Pizza, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Tickled Faces Face Painting, and numerous others, Barman is able to create a unique experience for each child.
Teen girl throws birthday parties for homeless kids who can't afford to celebrateNO BIRTHDAY LEFT BEHIND: This 17-year-old girl spends her free time throwing birthday parties for homeless kids, who otherwise couldn't afford one ❤️️ https://cbsn.ws/2Qdd6x4
Posted by CBS News on Tuesday, September 10, 2019
“It makes me so happy that something really small-like blowing out their candles, is such a big thing to them, its such a new concept to them. I look forward to every birthday party just because I love to see them smiling and I love when they come and hug me, beg me not to leave them, beg the party to go on longer. It’s the best feeling ever,” Barman stated in an interview with CBS News.
Tanvi’s passion couldn’t help but to bring a smile to many faces. In the future, Tanvi hopes that her charity will spread to every state and that she will inspire future generations. For more information on her story, visit her website!
