Historically, the front porch existed as a space between the public and private lives of family. It was an area of sharing, a link between the sanctity of the home and the greater community. The porch served to connect individuals and families. In doing so, it brought the neighbourhood and community together, encouraging interaction and a powerful awareness of others. It was part of a circle of communication. It was a place for families to interact, and, most importantly, share their victories and receive support for the challenges which arise in everyday life. Unfortunately, in today’s urban isolation the front porch has all but disappeared and families still need support to deal with challenges.

To bring back some of that support, our intent is to find innovative ways to bring neighbours and community together by providing accessible services, counsel and information to families, youth and children. Our goal is to enrich and support family life, encourage healthy neighbourhoods and, that, in turn will create stronger, caring and responsive communities.

Front Porch is a “barrier-free” program that aims to provide services for families when they need them. By providing barrier-free counselling without the bureaucratic red tape often associated with government referrals, we are proactive in providing families with solutions to their issues before they become unmanageable.