Well-known philanthropist spearheads ‘Front Porch’ for Walnut Grove
Becky Wilson (left) is the board chairman for The Front Porch nonprofit, Stephen Cook (middle) is the senior pastor at Second Baptist Church and Melissa Todd (right) is the executive director for The Front Porch. (Sophia Surrett/The Daily Memphian)
Staring across a freshly poured concrete slab, lifelong Memphian Becky Wilson watched as her vision of a community center for all was springing to life.
The well-known philanthropist is spearheading the development of The Front Porch, a 7,777-square-foot interfaith community center at Second Baptist Church at 4688 Walnut Grove Road.
A nonprofit with a seven-member board of directors that Wilson chairs, The Front Porch has raised 70% of the money needed for the $5 million project.
Scheduled to open this fall, The Front Porch is working closely with Second Baptist to create a center that cultivates fellowship with meeting rooms, an event space, a front lawn, a grief counseling center, a café and office space.
“The goal is to have a safe place where people can stop, take a breath, meet up with people and reconnect,” Becky Wilson said.
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Sophia Surrett
Sophia Surrett is a University of Alabama graduate, where she received her B.A. in news media and M.A. in journalism and media studies. She covers small business, nonprofits, restaurant real estate, hospitality and tourism and manufacturing.
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