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Let's Build This House!

Our Front Porch is a Denver based social enterprise who works with families that have been displaced by home fires. #surviving2thriving

$21,000
pledged of$21,000 goal
121
0Days Left

Project Description

Our Front Porch is rebuilding the lives of families who become homeless when displaced by a house fire. We are building low cost, temporary housing that provides shelter, stability and trauma recovery services.

 

What is Our Front Porch?

We are a Denver based social enterprise helping to restore the lives of families who have lost their homes to a fire. We currently provide casework, trauma recovery services, and assistance finding new housing in the community. Most families go it alone, and it doesn't have to be this way. By building low cost, temporary housing we will be able to provide stable shelter to families, therapeutic services to address the associated emotional trauma, and help reduce the financial strain incurred from becoming homeless. 

“I went to bed and had everything and woke up and had nothing.”

- Our Front Porch Client

 

Why Are We Doing This?

According to our partners at the Red Cross, home fires affect more people than all other major disasters. But these people don’t have access to the same federal and state resources that come with a presidential declaration. Home fires are the Forgotten Disasters and we feel these families deserve the same support as those displaced by hurricanes and wildfires. 

For the last 2 years, we have worked with over almost 300 people displaced from house fires. Clients are referred to us from the Red Cross and we work with them for as long as it takes to get them back on their feet. The work we do has an immediate positive impact on families, as we reduce the amount of time, money, and stress that comes with being displaced by a home fire.

"The support that Our Front Porch gives me is like I'm home again."  

- Our Front Porch Client

We have learned there are three interconnected elements to disaster recovery that need to be addressed simultaneously to really have an impact:

How Are We Solving This?

Our solution is to build short term rental housing so families can stay together in a safe environment while figuring out their next steps. Our Front Porch will be the FIRST to put everything you need to recover from a disaster under one roof.

The design of Our Front Porch is based on the fact that people heal faster when they are surrounded by others who have been through the same thing. The building itself is made up of individual living units, similar to an extended stay hotel room. Units range from 1, 2 or 3-bedrooms and are adaptable depending on family size. The common areas include a shared kitchen, laundry facilities, living room, children's play room, and the therapy and casework offices. Here is what Our Front Porch will look like!

 

Heather Korth, COO & Maggie Babyak, CEO

Who Are We?

Who would have ever thought an innovative solution to long term disaster recovery would have been created at a tiki bar in Key West? That's what happened when an Architect and a Social Worker came together to view this problem through two very different lenses. We combined our skills to create a new housing model that provides low cost rentals, emotional support, and community all under one roof. 

Maggie is a licensed clinical social worker who has spent the last 15 years working in homelessness, housing, and disaster services. Here in Colorado, she has managed clinical support services and property management within established affordable housing programs.

Heather is a licensed architect who has worked in planning, design, and construction for the last 17 years. Designing resilient buildings was her focus as a Hazard Mitigation Architect with FEMA as well as within her own architecture practice.

 

Why We Need Your Money?

We are raising money to build our first rental property! The money we raise here is the first round of fundraising that will set us up to purchase property in the Denver Metro Area. We have been looking for land for the last two years, working with zoning departments, and meeting with community leaders interested in seeing Our Front Porch become a reality. We are fortunate to already have many community partners, local universities, interns and our very own Porch Panel who have helped us create this much needed resource and who believe in our mission of 50 States, 50 Our Front Porches. Acquiring land is the next step in the process and we need your help! 

 

"There is no other one-stop agency that offers this kind of support to people who have been impacted by small scale disasters. Our Front Porch fills a much needed gap in our Denver Metro community."

- Red Cross Mile High Chapter

 

"Our Front Porch steps in when clients have lost everything, from support and then to housing, the women at Our Front Porch become the most stable aspect of the client's life. It is a life changing service and organization."

- Our Front Porch Intern from University of Denver

 

Your support today is not only helping to build the first Our Front Porch, but to also bring attention to these Forgotten Disasters. Of all the disasters, house fires can affect anyone, anytime, anywhere. There are thousands of people in our community affected by the Forgotten Disasters every year. These people are our family, friends, and coworkers. Let's show up for our neighbors today, as we would want them to show up for us in our time of need.

“Things fall apart. It’s our job, all of us, to bring them back together.”

- Al Letson, Award Winning Journalist

Thank you for your support and please share with your community!!

Heather & Maggie

The Campaign FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions:

 

Liz Harris
10/11/2018
Monetary Contribution
$175
The Romero’s
10/11/2018
Monetary Contribution
$25
Sarah helmer
10/11/2018
Ultimate Our Front Porch Package
$50
Julia & James Kannengeiser
10/10/2018
Family Therapy for Our Clients
$100
Denise
10/10/2018
Monetary Contribution
$250
Michael Giacopassi
10/09/2018
ON SALE: Brick to Our Front Door
$250
Jody B Boutell
10/09/2018
The Final Leg to Build This House!
$20
10/09/2018
The Final Leg to Build This House!
$20
Jovina
10/08/2018
Monetary Contribution
$30
Michele Filipiak
10/08/2018
Monetary Contribution
$50
Monetary Contribution

Just Because I Care

33 Supporters
Select this reward
20.00 USD
The Final Leg to Build This House!

I know every penny counts and am willing to save $2 a day to support families displaced from house fires. This is my contribution to get $10,000 in 10 days!

91 Left
9 Supporters
Select this reward
15.00 USD
Our Go-To Karaoke Playlist

We love karaoke, but we are positive you don’t want to hear us sing! Enjoy our exclusive Spotify playlist of all of our favorite sing-alongs! As a bonus, the first 10 contributors receive an autographed copy of the above photo - don't miss out!

94 Left
6 Supporters
Select this reward
25.00 USD
OFP Beer Koozie & Preztel Care Package

Keep your beer cold and your appetite satisfied! Get an exclusive OFP Koozie and an order of delicious homemade pretzels from our friends at Good Sugar Baking!  

6 Supporters
None available
40.00 USD
Ultimate Our Front Porch Package

Want to be our biggest fan? This package is for you! It includes:

  • Limited Edition Our Front Porch t-shirt
  • OFP Beer Koozie and Delicious Pretzels from Good Sugar Baking 
  • Our Go-To Karaoke Playlist

Show your support wearing our t-shirt around town while rocking out to our favorite karaoke songs AND enjoy some refreshments while you're at it! 

We will reach out after the campaign ends to get your shirt size and mailing address. 

91 Left
9 Supporters
Select this reward
50.00 USD
New Undies For Our Clients!

Don't let anyone go commando! Feel good knowing $50 can provide new undies to a family who walks through our doors!

You will also receive an exclusive OFP Koozie and an order of delicious homemade pretzels from our friends at Good Sugar Baking!

88 Left
12 Supporters
Select this reward
75.00 USD
2 VIP Tickets to Oct 25th Event

Pre-party with Heather & Maggie at their favorite brewery! Join us for a private dinner, brewery tour, bottle of Great Divide rarely available beer, a surprise goody bag and most importantly, be first in line for the beer and cookie pairing. This will be a small group where you will be able to get to know Heather & Maggie, ask them anything from what's their favorite beer to why they decided to start Our Front Porch, all while enjoying delicious draft beer.

Festivities begin at 5:30pm on Thursday, October 25th at The Great Divide Barrel Bar in RiNo. 

4 Supporters
None available
100.00 USD
Family Therapy for Our Clients

Feel good knowing $100 can provide a therapy session for one of our families. This is one of the most important parts of the recovery process.

You will also receive an exclusive OFP Koozie and an order of delicious homemade pretzels from our friends at Good Sugar Baking!

79 Left
21 Supporters
Select this reward
250.00 USD
Pet Boarding for Our Clients

Obsessed with animals just like we are? Make sure they’re not left behind and feel good knowing $250 can provide a month of boarding to keep our fury friends out of the shelter.

You will also receive not one, but two exclusive OFP Koozies and two orders of delicious homemade pretzels from our friends at Good Sugar Baking!

95 Left
5 Supporters
Select this reward
1,000.00 USD
One Month's Rent for Our Clients

You can be the difference between a family being homeless or having a safe place to call home. Feel good knowing $1,000 can provide a month of rent for a family so they can recover, rebuild, and get back to their lives.

Your generosity will also be mentioned as a Bronze Level Supporter on our webpage and a brick with your name on it will be laid in the path to the front porch.

In the Message section during checkout, please indicate what you would like to write on your brick. You are limited to 3 lines, 18 characters per line.

98 Left
2 Supporters
Select this reward
2,500.00 USD
Furnish a Unit

Feel good knowing $2,500 will help create a cozy environment by furnishing one of the units!

Your generosity will also be mentioned as a Silver Level Supporter on our webpage and a brick with your name on it will be laid in the path to the front porch.

In the Message section during checkout, please indicate what you would like to write on your brick. You are limited to 3 lines, 18 characters per line.

11 Left
1 Supporter
Select this reward
5,000.00 USD
Sponsor a Community Room

Want to leave a permanent mark on Our Front Porch? Sponsor one of the community spaces to ensure survivors get that "I'm home" feeling! Your name will be engraved on a plaque outside one of the following rooms: 

  • The Children's Room
  • The Kitchen 
  • The Laundry Room
  • The Living Room
  • The Dining Room
  • The Family Therapy Room

Your generosity will also be mentioned as a Gold Level Supporter on our webpage and a brick with your name on it will be laid in the path to the front porch.

In the Message section during checkout, please indicate what you would like to write on your brick. You are limited to 3 lines, 18 characters per line.

6 Left
0 Supporters
Select this reward
10,000.00 USD
1 Year of Rent for Our Clients

You are amazing! Feel good knowing your substantial contribution would allow multiple families to have a safe place to live, breathe and regroup as they rebuild after a house fire.

Your generosity will also be mentioned as a Platinum Level Supporter on our webpage and a brick with your name on it will be laid in the path to the front porch. To show our appreciation, we will also plant a tree just for you!

In the Message section during checkout, please indicate what you would like to write on your brick. You are limited to 3 lines, 18 characters per line.

5 Left
0 Supporters
Select this reward

About the Entrepreneur

Denver, CO
Created 1 Campaign
Social Good

Rewards

Monetary Contribution

Just Because I Care

33 Supporters
Select this reward
20.00 USD
The Final Leg to Build This House!

I know every penny counts and am willing to save $2 a day to support families displaced from house fires. This is my contribution to get $10,000 in 10 days!

91 Left
9 Supporters
Select this reward
15.00 USD
Our Go-To Karaoke Playlist

We love karaoke, but we are positive you don’t want to hear us sing! Enjoy our exclusive Spotify playlist of all of our favorite sing-alongs! As a bonus, the first 10 contributors receive an autographed copy of the above photo - don't miss out!

94 Left
6 Supporters
Select this reward
25.00 USD
OFP Beer Koozie & Preztel Care Package

Keep your beer cold and your appetite satisfied! Get an exclusive OFP Koozie and an order of delicious homemade pretzels from our friends at Good Sugar Baking!  

6 Supporters
None available
40.00 USD
Ultimate Our Front Porch Package

Want to be our biggest fan? This package is for you! It includes:

  • Limited Edition Our Front Porch t-shirt
  • OFP Beer Koozie and Delicious Pretzels from Good Sugar Baking 
  • Our Go-To Karaoke Playlist

Show your support wearing our t-shirt around town while rocking out to our favorite karaoke songs AND enjoy some refreshments while you're at it! 

We will reach out after the campaign ends to get your shirt size and mailing address. 

91 Left
9 Supporters
Select this reward
50.00 USD
New Undies For Our Clients!

Don't let anyone go commando! Feel good knowing $50 can provide new undies to a family who walks through our doors!

You will also receive an exclusive OFP Koozie and an order of delicious homemade pretzels from our friends at Good Sugar Baking!

88 Left
12 Supporters
Select this reward
75.00 USD
2 VIP Tickets to Oct 25th Event

Pre-party with Heather & Maggie at their favorite brewery! Join us for a private dinner, brewery tour, bottle of Great Divide rarely available beer, a surprise goody bag and most importantly, be first in line for the beer and cookie pairing. This will be a small group where you will be able to get to know Heather & Maggie, ask them anything from what's their favorite beer to why they decided to start Our Front Porch, all while enjoying delicious draft beer.

Festivities begin at 5:30pm on Thursday, October 25th at The Great Divide Barrel Bar in RiNo. 

4 Supporters
None available
100.00 USD
Family Therapy for Our Clients

Feel good knowing $100 can provide a therapy session for one of our families. This is one of the most important parts of the recovery process.

You will also receive an exclusive OFP Koozie and an order of delicious homemade pretzels from our friends at Good Sugar Baking!

79 Left
21 Supporters
Select this reward
250.00 USD
Pet Boarding for Our Clients

Obsessed with animals just like we are? Make sure they’re not left behind and feel good knowing $250 can provide a month of boarding to keep our fury friends out of the shelter.

You will also receive not one, but two exclusive OFP Koozies and two orders of delicious homemade pretzels from our friends at Good Sugar Baking!

95 Left
5 Supporters
Select this reward
1,000.00 USD
One Month's Rent for Our Clients

You can be the difference between a family being homeless or having a safe place to call home. Feel good knowing $1,000 can provide a month of rent for a family so they can recover, rebuild, and get back to their lives.

Your generosity will also be mentioned as a Bronze Level Supporter on our webpage and a brick with your name on it will be laid in the path to the front porch.

In the Message section during checkout, please indicate what you would like to write on your brick. You are limited to 3 lines, 18 characters per line.

98 Left
2 Supporters
Select this reward
2,500.00 USD
Furnish a Unit

Feel good knowing $2,500 will help create a cozy environment by furnishing one of the units!

Your generosity will also be mentioned as a Silver Level Supporter on our webpage and a brick with your name on it will be laid in the path to the front porch.

In the Message section during checkout, please indicate what you would like to write on your brick. You are limited to 3 lines, 18 characters per line.

11 Left
1 Supporter
Select this reward
5,000.00 USD
Sponsor a Community Room

Want to leave a permanent mark on Our Front Porch? Sponsor one of the community spaces to ensure survivors get that "I'm home" feeling! Your name will be engraved on a plaque outside one of the following rooms: 

  • The Children's Room
  • The Kitchen 
  • The Laundry Room
  • The Living Room
  • The Dining Room
  • The Family Therapy Room

Your generosity will also be mentioned as a Gold Level Supporter on our webpage and a brick with your name on it will be laid in the path to the front porch.

In the Message section during checkout, please indicate what you would like to write on your brick. You are limited to 3 lines, 18 characters per line.

6 Left
0 Supporters
Select this reward
10,000.00 USD
1 Year of Rent for Our Clients

You are amazing! Feel good knowing your substantial contribution would allow multiple families to have a safe place to live, breathe and regroup as they rebuild after a house fire.

Your generosity will also be mentioned as a Platinum Level Supporter on our webpage and a brick with your name on it will be laid in the path to the front porch. To show our appreciation, we will also plant a tree just for you!

In the Message section during checkout, please indicate what you would like to write on your brick. You are limited to 3 lines, 18 characters per line.

5 Left
0 Supporters
Select this reward