I came to know this orginization because they had a summer job called the Academy of Opportunity. It teaches young people how to start their own business. They also offered Life Skill classes that helps me understand more of life. Everything they said and/or did was everything that I expected. There were no surprises or anything. This is a group of loving and caring people who understand the youth and families in the Ivanhoe Neighborhood. So far being apart of this orginiztion I have branched off with my own t-shirt business, now an assistant coach at the Academy of Opportunity, and most of all I am a better person and a role model to other youth in our community.
I love this organization and love what it is about. The people in Front Porch that I have the pleasure of knowing have a quality about them that lets a person know that they are truly in their lines of work to help out in the community. They aren't like any other group who helps out the less fortunate just to look good in the public's eye; they honestly care about each individual they assist. Front Porch is the type of organization that does the best job in their field and won't ask for recognition of their endevours. Front Porch has taught me lessons about the importance of giving back to my community, and these lessons will stay with me in my personality and the positive actions I take for the rest of my life. I owe much of my current success in my young life to Front Porch, for I have only accomplished those acheivements with Front Porch
I came to know this wonderful organization and church when I was assigned to the Ivanhoe Neighborhood Council 9 years ago as a community organizer for Project Neighborhood. I was facing a hugh challenge, because my assignment was to assist the Ivanhoe Neighborhood Council in reorganing their neighborhood. Project Neighborhood choose Ivanhoe because of the high crime, numerous drug houses, littered streets and illegal dumping sites and the small number of involved residents. Front Porch Alliance came to the rescue by assisting the neighborhood in all of their initiates to revive the neighborhood. Their first task was to fund and assist in organizing clean ups, because they recognized that the apperance of neighborhood was the first phase of revitalization. Front Porch Alliance has since vitally saved the lives of many residents and youth by providing numerous services and programs that were not available for them before the Front Porch Alliance partner with the Ivanhoe Neighborhood Council
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Front Porch Alliance works to enhance the lives of the residents of the neighbrhoods it serves by providing mentoring and tutoring programs, minor home repair, nutrition and health programs, life skills programs, job training, parent training and support groups. It gives the people it serves access to the Kansas City cultural community. It encourages students to stay in school and provides them many opportunities for fun and learning. It builds bridges between people of different Kansas City neighborhoods by connecting volunteers and residents. By doing that, it makes volunteers more aware of the problems of people who live in poverty as well as what we have in common.
FPA is the standard bearer for cooperative efforts with innercity neighborhoods to improve living conditions and develop a concerned community.
Overall, this is an excellent organization committed to helping people develop life-skills enabling them to become self sufficient citizens. I have had the previlige of serving as a mentor in the Career Builder's Resource Center since its inception last year. This group was established by the Front Porch Alliance to help men of all ages find meaningful employment. The level of appreciation expressed by these men for the help they have received in learning basic job search skills has been outstanding. We have helped them develop their skills in resume writing, locating job opportunities, applying for jobs, and interviewing. In addition, a course in basic computer skills was recently taught by the mentors and five mentees "graduated". I urge the men of the community to participate as a mentor. It is truly needed and a rewarding experience.
Front Porch Alliance works "alongside" the residents in the Ivanhoe neighborhood making the physical conditions of their homes better and providing programming for the adults and youth in the neighborhood. FPA did not come once or twice but has stayed and for that the residents are grateful. FPA has built alot of "trust" with their neighbors. I love the summer programming for the youth and the monthly "Learn 'n Grow" programming for all residents.
As one of the early Board members of Front Porch Alliance, we learned from experts in community development that the only way to succeed in helping revitalize the Ivanhoe community was to work alongside the residents and help them to meet their own goals. We've worked hard to involve the residents in planning and implementation. I feel that after 9 years, we've formed lifelong friendships, broken down stereotypes on both sides, built trust - and best of all, improved life in the neighborhoods.
This is an organization that gets their hands dirty helping residents of the urban core improve their day to day living. I learned about them while volunteering with my son's class to to a cleanup in the neighborhood and build a pocket park for the residents. Front Porch knows the residents and can instantly respond to their special needs in a crisis. Residents who have grown to trust the organization and "pay it forward".