We had a celebration this week.  Over the past 14 months, the largest gatherings I have attended were generally funerals, so it was all the more joyful to commence and celebrate the installation of some outside seating on the south-side of the Front Porch this week!

The benches were made possible by a gift from the Knight Foundation in order to ‘give the Front Porch a front porch.’ To have the welcoming interior of the building be matched by a hospitable exterior — plus a needed place of comfort, rest, and serenity in South Akron.  And that was what the benches were designed around — Serenity, Courage, and Wisdom — the three values named in the serenity prayer.  A prayer recited routinely by many.

Akron is the birthplace of recovery.  Alcoholics Anonymous was founded in Akron, Ohio.   Since the opening of the Front Porch, it has been a sober place of gathering.   Public places exist for all people.  There is a deep value in keeping a place dry (sober) — it maintains a specific invitation to the communities of recovery and celebrates the history if this city.