Our club recently welcomed Shawnessy Cargile, Family Engagement and Activities Coordinator at The Front Porch Youth and Family Center, who shared how the organization is helping children and families access support before challenges escalate into crises.

The Front Porch serves as a community-based risk reduction program focused on identifying children and families who may be at risk of court involvement due to delinquency, dependency, or other family challenges. By connecting families with existing community resources, the organization helps develop personalized intervention plans designed to strengthen family stability and improve outcomes for children.

Shawnessy emphasized the importance of being proactive, supporting youth experiencing challenges such as divorce, trauma, academic struggles, or other life disruptions. The Front Porch works alongside families to identify resources such as counseling, tutoring, mentoring opportunities, and affordable support services without overwhelming parents with complicated systems and processes.

One interesting fact shared during the presentation was that The Front Porch is home to the offices of Shelter From the Rain and Savannah’s largest diaper bank. The organization also offers office space for family-focused nonprofits and service providers, creating opportunities for collaboration and easier access to support services for local families.

The key takeaway from the presentation was simple but powerful: all children benefit from having positive mentors and supportive adults outside the home—and parents and grandparents need support, too.

Those interested in getting involved can help by referring families in need of support or exploring mentoring opportunities through Savannah Youth Mentoring.