Christian Bale has unveiled plans to build a $22 million (£17.5 million) foster home village in Palmdale, California, aimed at keeping siblings in the care system together. The project, spearheaded by the actor and his organisation Together California, includes 12 foster homes, two studio flats for transitioning young adults, and a 7,000 sq ft community centre. Construction is underway with a target completion date of 2025.
Bale, 50, said the idea was sparked after the birth of his daughter Emmeline in 2005, when he was 'stunned and mad' to learn California had the highest number of foster children in the US. 'Imagine the pain of losing your parents and then losing your brothers and sisters on top of that,' he said. 'We will be the hub for that. I hope this village will be the first of many.'
The actor credited his late father, David Bale, an environmental activist, for inspiring his philanthropy. 'I grew up with a dad who was always very active and altruistic,' Bale said. 'We were always having other people coming and living in our house who didn't have homes.' David Bale died in 2003.
Bale acknowledged the project took longer than expected, saying he initially had an 'unrealistic idea' of creating a 'Sound of Music' environment within a year. 'It’s complicated and tough to help kids,' he said. 'But I didn’t flinch for one second.' The actor, who won an Oscar for The Fighter, is set to begin work on Maggie Gyllenhaal's Frankenstein film next week.
