My name is Danica Rubenstein, and I’m proud to call Ardsley Park—and Savannah—my home. I’m currently serving as the Executive Director of The Front Porch, a multi-agency resource center created under the Chatham County Juvenile Court to serve at-risk youth and their families. We offer early intervention services to help prevent system involvement and, more importantly, to offer hope, stability, and a path forward. Every day, we work with children and families to connect them with mental health support, educational resources, and community programs designed to help them thrive.

I accepted this role in April 2024, but my story with Savannah began much earlier. For over six years, my family and I had a second home in Ardsley Park. We spent the last two decades traveling back and forth between West Virginia and Savannah, and I always knew deep down—this is where I was meant to be. So much so that I tattooed the coordinates of Savannah on my arm years ago to manifest my journey here as soon as possible. I guess you could say it was fate that brought me here for good.

Before moving to Georgia, I spent 11 years as a juvenile probation officer and 14 more as the Director of Attendance for Monongalia County Schools/Board of Education in WV. My passion has always been working with young people who’ve lost their way—or are at risk of it. I truly believe we’re all just one choice away from a bad one. But I also believe in second chances and the power of a caring adult who chooses to believe in someone, especially when they’re struggling to believe in themselves.

That’s what The Front Porch is all about. We serve kids ages 5–17 who live in Chatham County and have no prior court involvement. Our team of case managers, outreach coordinators, and community partners work together to provide wraparound services—everything from counseling referrals to life skills classes, our new mentoring hub and The Front Porch Perspectives peer listening group to our youth art workshops led by a talented SCAD student. We just launched a podcast, too, to shine a light on our amazing community mentors.

When our youth come in, many are facing difficult circumstances—trauma, instability, or just feeling lost. We want The Front Porch to feel like exactly that: a welcoming space to breathe, to talk, to begin again. One of my favorite projects currently is transforming our assessment rooms with murals (by a local SCAD graduate volunteer), cozy furniture, and soft lighting to make them feel less clinical and more like home. Every child deserves to feel safe and seen. Even our mascot, Shadow—a sweet, scrappy black cat who found her way to our building—has become part of our Front Porch family and story.  We feed and care for her, and the kids love seeing her lounge around the courtyard.  Somehow, she reminds us all that everyone deserves a safe place and a little kindness. We have written a book about her we would love to publish to educate about The Front Porch while telling Shadow’s story.

Though most of my extended family is still back in West Virginia, my daughters and my partner of 16 years have also been a large part of this journey. My youngest lives in Charleston and is on her way to law school. My oldest recently left New York as a law school graduate and has been living here looking for her own place to make a difference in Savannah. Watching them grow into compassionate, purpose-driven women has been one of my greatest joys. My partner has a dental and implant business in WV but he travels here frequently hoping to make the move eventually.

As a community, you can help us in many ways. While we’re not able to actively fundraise, we can accept donations. School uniforms, snacks, art supplies, hygiene kits—every item donated makes a difference. We even have an Amazon Wish List available for those who prefer to give online. And if you know a child who may benefit from our services, please reach out. Anyone can make a referral.

I’ve only officially lived in Savannah since April, but in my heart, I’ve been a Savannahian for much longer. I love everything about this city—the art, the marshes, the towering ships, the way the sunlight hits the Spanish moss just right. But most of all, I love the heart of her people. Savannahians have this beautiful way of wrapping their arms around each other in times of need.

To serve this city—the city I prayed to call home for two decades—is the greatest honor of my life. I wake up every day with gratitude, asking God to guide my steps, and praying I never fail Him…or this community that has been so welcoming.

If you’re reading this and feel a tug to get involved, please follow it. Mentoring, donating, volunteering...reach out, stop by, take a tour and learn more about us!  Our kids are worth it. Their futures are worth it. And sometimes, all it takes is one front porch to make all the difference.