People gathering in front of the Front Porch and conversing

Our Mission

The Front Porch, Where Youth and Families Gather, is established as a community-based risk reduction program designed to identify children and families who are at risk of becoming involved with the court for delinquency, dependency, and children in need of services (“CHINS”), and to utilize available community resources for the purpose of developing and implementing intervention actions or plans to divert the children and their families from becoming involved in future cases in court.

Front Porch participants and staff in Tiffani Taylor Art Gallery

The Vision

We envision a Chatham County where every young person and family is met by their community and institutions with trust and compassion. Where they are emotionally and physically safe and where they have easy access to responsive resources they need to heal and thrive. So that they develop, the radical hope and power needed to navigate and overcome inequitable systems with knowledge, guidance, and support.

How it Works

Referral Made
Assessments and Referral to appropriate agencies
Case staffed for additional resources
Case plans followed for 90 days
Families continue services as needed

2022 Figures

307 families served
55 tablets secured for the Technology Access Closet
200 families served with school uniforms or supplies
204 Additional working hours added for parent convenience
Over 1,000 socks collected for families in need
Over 528 additional Facebook fans spreading the word

Positive Social Engagement

With input from our families, we give referrals to prosocial activities meant to encourage youth behavior which is positive, helpful, and intended to promote social gathering, acceptance and friendship.

Behavioral Health Referrals

With input from our families, we make referrals to (and follow up with) mental and behavioral health resources such as individual and family counseling.

Basic Human Needs Referrals

Clothing, housing and employment are often times what our youth and families are in need of and we supply resources and referrals for these needs.

Onsite Diaper Bank

Due to a partnership with Shelter From the Rain, we are able to offer our families resources from the “Baby Bundles Diaper Bank.”

Onsite Clothing Closet

We are able to provide families with clothing and school uniforms through our onsite “Katrina Woodley Clothing Closet.”

Onsite Food and Hygiene Pantry

Through our partnership with P.A.C.K we are able to provide robust hygiene and food packs for families in need.

Testimonials

Here’s what some of our clients have to say

The feeling of exhaustion has turned to a feeling of “THANK GOD,” because of the actions, the listening (to my daughter and myself) and the resources I received for Kesha’s anxiety. The Front Porch is in my life because I chose to allow myself to be helped by an organization that has impacted me in as little as about two weeks!

Front Porch Parent

Madison is my 5 year old daughter that was having behavioral health concerns in school. We were referred to the Front Porch by her school counselor. We had a meeting with Ms. Ritzert who followed us through our journey to get Madison a therapist to fit her needs. Ms. Ritzert went above and beyond as well as listened to all our concerns which helped us to get to the root of the problem at school. Madison is now successfully seeing a therapist, she has had a class change at school and she is fully succeeding in school, even a candidate for the gifted program. None of this would have been possible without the guidance of Ms. Ritzert and the resources The Front Porch provides. I don't know where we would've been at this point in the school year without this amazing facility.”

Front Porch Parent

The Front Porch was generous with their help in a time it was needed. It helped Sasha by adding her into different activities which she needed. We appreciate the people, they were very kind and understanding.

Front Porch Parent

From the blog

Pellentesque habitant morbi tristique senectus et netus et malesuada fames ac turpis egestas. Vestibulum tortor quam, feugiat vitae, ultricies eget, tempor sit amet, ante. Donec eu libero sit amet quam egestas semper. Aenean ultricies mi vitae est. Mauris placerat eleifend leo. Check our blog

Our Mission

The Vision

How it Works

2022 Figures

Positive Social Engagement

Behavioral Health Referrals

Basic Human Needs Referrals

Onsite Diaper Bank

Onsite Clothing Closet

Onsite Food and Hygiene Pantry

Testimonials

Front Porch Parent

Front Porch Parent

Front Porch Parent

From the blog

Fashion now

What to do

5 ways to look awesome

Fashion snow

Our Partners