For more information, go to our website at:

https://porchaven.com/

STORY:

Our Big WHY:

The moment life falls apart should never be the moment a family discovers they have no one nearby to trust, lean on, or turn to for help. When our mom passed away at only 40, our family learned that truth the hard way.

She left six children behind. I was 19, Michele was 4, and we had four siblings between us. Our family had just moved from Illinois - where we were surrounded by relatives - to New Orleans, where we knew no one. Overnight, I found myself carrying responsibilities far beyond what a 19-year-old should have to bear—responsibilities more suited to a 40-year-old mother—while our entire family and I were grieving, overwhelmed, and without the trusted support every family deserves.

That loss taught us something we have never forgotten: when life falls apart, what holds you together is people. Neighbors who show up. Friends who stay. A community that refuses to let you disappear into your grief alone.

After more than 20 years of helping three generations of families make housing decisions, I have seen the same need again and again: families overwhelmed by major transitions, seniors targeted by scammers, parents searching for dependable help, and people of every age longing to feel safe and supported.

Porchaven™, a DBA of Pathways Together Communities LLC, is our answer. It's a new kind of multigenerational, front-porch community designed to help neighbors get to know one another, build trusted support over time, share daily life in nature and wellness, and help people of every age feel at home.”

“Be the change you wish to see in the world.”

— Commonly Attributed to Mahatma Gandhi

We are building communities we want to live in. Every donation helps bring us closer to creating a place where neighbors look out for one another, daily life feels safer and warmer, and people of every age have room to thrive.

Location: First Location: Sarasota, FL area

VISION:

Front-porch communities rooted in nature, where neighbors know and support one another and people of all ages can feel at home, at peace, and free to thrive.

The Valuable Mission of Porchaven™

Porchaven™ is building a new standard for community life: front-porch neighborhoods where people of every age and life stage feel known, connected, supported, and truly at home. Through thoughtful design, nature, wellness, trusted services, intergenerational communication, and shared gathering places, Porchaven™ will create measurable gains in belonging, neighbor connection, wellness participation, provider access, community engagement, and long-term value for residents, service providers, partners, donors, and investors.

Measurable Outcomes

Many master-planned communities measure sales, acres, trails, open space, amenities, and sustainability. Porchaven™ will go further by also tracking the human outcomes that show whether the community is truly working. Examples may be: resident satisfaction, reported sense of belonging, neighbor participation, event attendance, wellness and learning program participation, trusted provider access, intergenerational support and resident retention.

Five core values guide this journey:

COLLABORATE — We listen first, learn from one another, and build alongside the people this community is meant to serve.

CONNECT — We create welcoming neighborhoods where neighbors naturally know and enjoy one another.

EMPOWER — We open pathways for people of all ages to share their gifts and stay engaged.

BUILD TRUST — We foster transparent, respectful communities where people feel safe and supported.

NURTURE WELL-BEING — We design nature-connected spaces and daily experiences that support health, joy, and belonging.

WHY WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT:

We are at the pivotal moment where this vision must move from dream to action. Your support funds the early work that makes the next step possible: planning, research, design, outreach, professional guidance, and investor-ready materials that will help Porchaven™ move toward our first real-world pilot.

THIS IS MORE THAN A DONATION:

It is an early investment in a community where everyday life is designed to feel welcoming, grounded, and full of potential!

JOIN THE MOVEMENT:

Help us plant the first roots of a community where generations can grow, contribute, and care for one another. Whether you donate, share this campaign, or send words of encouragement, you become part of movement to create beautiful, nature-rooted, front-porch communities where intentional design helps trust and friendship grow naturally, every generation has room to flourish, and residents can live with greater connection, peace of mind, and joy.

WHAT YOUR GIFT MAKES POSSIBLE

Your gift helps us:

Detailed $75,000 Startup Allocation:

Founder Stipend $21,000

Full-time focused founder leadership to coordinate the launch, manage priorities, lead outreach, prepare investor conversations, and keep the project moving from vision to action.

Team Support $8,500

Part-time help with research, i.e., grant writing, follow-up, donor communication updates, and project coordination so early work stays organized and responsive.

Brand Identity & Messaging $6,500

Logo refinement, campaign visuals, founder storytelling, donor handouts, and message polishing to make the vision easy to understand, trust, and share.

Website & Digital Tools $5,500

Professional landing page, basic website tools, donor update capability, email capture, and digital infrastructure people can use to learn more and stay connected.

Research & Validation $5,500

Surveys, interviews, community feedback, market research, and benchmark comparisons to confirm real demand and shape the first pilot around actual needs.

Travel & Benchmarking $4,500

Visits to successful communities, learning trips, partner meetings, and field research so Porchaven™ can borrow what works and avoid costly missteps.

Investor Materials $4,500

Pitch deck, one-page overview, use-of-funds summary, financial story, and investor-ready materials needed to approach aligned funders and partners.

Legal & Organizational Setup $5,000

Entity setup, legal guidance, basic agreements, compliance review, and early organizational structure so the work begins on a responsible foundation.

Accounting / Bookkeeping / Tax Setup $2,500

Bookkeeping, donation and expense tracking, tax guidance, and clean financial records so every dollar will be accounted for.

Community Outreach & Events $3,500

Needs-assessment gatherings, printed materials, local outreach, and follow-up so future residents, supporters, and partners can help shape the vision early.

Professional Consulting $4,500

Targeted guidance from planning, development, finance, operations, wellness, and community-design experts before major decisions or larger commitments are made

Software & Subscriptions $2,000

Essential tools for donor tracking, surveys, email updates, contact management, file organization, design support, and day-to-day digital operations.

Miscellaneous / Contingency $2,500

Practical cushion for unexpected startup needs, filing fees, printing, supplies, small professional costs, and other essentials that may arise.

Total Startup Target: $75,000.

It fully funds the essential early work needed to move Porchaven™ from heartfelt vision to real-world action.

We are truly honored to count you among our Supporters. This journey is richer, brighter, and more possible because of your kindness & generosity!

Cathy Waidelich-Founder/CEO

Michele Lamb-Co-Founder/Growth Director

Porchaven™, a DBA of Pathways Together Communities LLC

Where Community Becomes Home

For more information, go to:

https://porchaven.com/