Blog

Thank you to everyone who joined us for this meeting on June 25, 2026 at 6pm.
Thank you to GA President Kay Kardos and the board members that contributed to the meeting.

We would also like to welcome Dustin Zimmerman as our new fiscal auditor and thank Barb Appenzeller for her hard work as our former fiscal auditor.

Dustin Zimmerman brings more than two decades of professional experience in risk management, which positions him well to serve effectively as a fiscal auditor. Over the course of his career, he has had the opportunity to contribute to a risk management organization in progressively responsible roles — first in a capacity similar to the one he is seeking, then as Treasurer, and ultimately as President. These experiences have given him a thorough understanding of fiscal oversight, organizational accountability, and the standards required to serve with integrity in an auditing function.

On a personal level, Dustin has been part of the broader Porto community since October and recently joined Porto Kind. He is committed to applying his professional background in support of this organization’s financial health and transparency, and welcomes the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to its mission.

We thank Dustin for bringing his expertise to Porto Kind!

Meeting Minutes

Porto Kind made a goal for 2026, raise 15,000€ for APF to purchase a new van.
You can read about this need here. We have currently raised 13,625€!

On Thursday, Porto Kind was there when APF received the keys!
We were invited to join Representatives from APF to see the van, take pictures and celebrate with them. A few of us were their first passengers! We are honored to be part of this important moment.

Associação para o Planeamento da Família – APF, founded in 1967, is a charitable social solidarity institution (IPSS) recognized nationally and internationally for developing projects with people in vulnerable situations.
Namely, through its support work with victims of crime, with a particular focus on violence and human trafficking.
APF operates specialized multidisciplinary teams in Portugal that provide comprehensive, non-judgmental support to all human trafficking victims.

The van used to help APF do this crucial work ceased working before we could meet this goal and Porto Kind came together to immediately raise enough money to help them purchase a van earlier than expected.
You can read about the urgent Donation Match Drive here.

By combining the money raised from the Donation Match,
Ann Boyd’s generous gift, previous events in 2026 and APF‘s own savings they have been able to purchase a safe and functional van. It is a 9 seat, 2018 Ford with AC, stereo and lots of room for it’s important passengers.
We were thrilled to be invited to see them receive the keys!

The total cost of the van was 23,000€. Even with our donations, APF has depleted their savings buying the van. We will continue to raise funds to meet the new van goal of 23,000€. We hope you will join us at our upcoming events this fall!

We are grateful to the Porto Kind community for helping us reach this goal and your continued support of APF and the important work they do.
We could not have done this without you! Thank you!

Porto Kind and Associaçã Para o Planeamento da Família (APF) would like to extend their profound gratitude to the family of Ann Boyd and her friend, Heide Lankeit, for their most generous gift of €5,000.

They have requested the donation be applied towards the purchase of a much-needed van by APF. After hearing the story of APF’s need for a new van to be able to continue their good work, they knew it was the best way possible to honor Ann in a manner that would represent her desire to assist those in crisis and particularly women and children.

While Ann’s time here in Portugal was short her impact on this community has been profound. Ann loved every minute of her time here and had an incredible desire to live her life to the fullest after fulfilling her dream of living abroad. She made friends quickly and was a woman of compassion, a sense of humor and kindness. Her illness brought this community together in ways we never could have imagined.

Porto Kind and APF are honored that this gift has been made in her memory and we extend our heartfelt gratitude to those who chose to celebrate her life in such a meaningful way.
Please go here to read the thank you from APF – https://apf.pt/nota-de-agradecimento-note-of-thanks/

Porto, 22 January 2026

Dear Porto Kind Association,

The Family Planning Association (Associação para o Planeamento da Família – APF),
founded in 1967, is a charitable social solidarity institution (IPSS) recognized nationally
and internationally for developing projects with people in vulnerable situations, namely
through its support work with victims of crime, with a particular focus on violence and
human trafficking.

Since 2008, APF’s Northern Branch has managed a Shelter and Protection Centre for
Women Victims of Human Trafficking and their minor children. The Centre aims to
ensure safety, emotional stabilization, and the development of Life Projects that lead to
the social, educational and professional (re)integration of the people we support.
An essential part of our work is ensuring the mobility of the people we host and their
access to services, goods and activities that are fundamental to their recovery and
autonomy. For this purpose, over the years we have relied on a 9-seater van, which we
use daily for:
− Safe transport to healthcare services, criminal police bodies, courts and other
public entities;
− Transporting service users to group activities that promote health, self-esteem,
well-being and integration (such as cultural visits, sports classes and other
educational and/or recreational events, often also made possible through
donations);
− Logistical support for transporting belongings when service users move towards
independent living;
− Collecting food supplies from Banco Alimentar Contra a Fome (Food Bank Against
Hunger) and other individual donors;
− Transporting in-kind donations to the Shelter.

Unfortunately, our current van is in a state of irreversible deterioration after several
repairs and very high maintenance costs that our budget can no longer bear. As APF is a
non-profit organization, the public funding available to us does not provide for the
replacement of this type of vehicle, which puts a significant part of our mission at risk.
In this context, and fully aware that this is a high-value request, we would like to ask
whether you might be able to support us by donating a used 9-seater van that is in good
working condition. We believe this gesture would have a direct and immediate impact
on the lives of women and children who are in a process of personal and social
rebuilding.

In return, APF is available to work with you to agree on the best way to acknowledge
and thank you for your support, which could include, among other possibilities:
− Issuing a donation receipt under the applicable tax benefits for patronage;
− Identifying and publicizing the support of the donating entity by placing the logo
on the Northern Branch’s communication materials and on the institutional
website, for an agreed period;
− Handing over our current van, should it be useful for trade-in or for reusing parts.
Your support will enable APF to continue to provide essential responses to the victims
we assist, promoting their recovery, autonomy and social reintegration.

We thank you in advance for your attention and willingness to consider this request, and
we remain entirely at your disposal for any further clarification.

Yours faithfully,

Nuno Teixeira
APF North´s Coordinator

Travessa das Liceiras 14/16 – 4000-323 Porto
www.apf.pt tel. 222085869
Federada na IPPF – International Planned Parenthood Federation

Sherri Feldman was a cherished founding member of Porto Kind and our first Treasurer.

Sherri was there at the beginning, when Porto Kind was still an idea fueled by hope, determination, and a shared belief that we could make a difference. She brought her steady presence, thoughtful questions, and deep commitment to building something meaningful and lasting. Many of the systems and practices we still rely on today exist because of Sherri’s care, foresight, and willingness to do the work that often happens quietly behind the scenes.

Just as memorable as her contributions was the way Sherri showed up as a person. She was known for her never-ending smile, her positive outlook, and her ability to meet even the most challenging moments with humor and grace. Sherri used laughter to face adversity, and that warmth drew people to her. She was known as a creative person, frequently found with a crochet hook in her hand as was also playfully competitive and took great joy in games of all kinds—bringing energy, connection, and a sense of fun wherever she went.

We will remember Sherri for her generosity of spirit, her passion for our mission, and the kindness she showed to everyone she interacted with. She believed deeply in Porto Kind and in the people who make up this community, and her influence continues to be felt in ways both large and small.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to Sherri’s family, friends, and loved ones.

With gratitude and remembrance,
The Board of Directors
Porto Kind

Hello Porto Kind Members,

This year has been full of change, learning and growth. We are grateful for all your support and looking forward to the exciting things we will do together in the new year!

*MEMBERSHIP – renewal of €10 is due January 1, 2026.
Annual membership dues allow Porto Kind to pay administrative, banking and other fees needed to keep the organization going. We are committed to keeping membership affordable for everyone and our fees as low as possible.

If you have joined Porto Kind on November 1^st or after, you will not have to renew until 2027.

Please renew your membership here – https://www.cognitoforms.com/PortoKind2/PortoKindMembership

*SAVE THE DATE – We will have our annual General Assembly Meeting on January 20^th. More information about this meeting will be coming soon. This meeting is open to all members.

*DONATIONS – We are proud to announce that with your help we have raised over €1100 for APF and over €2600 for Animais de Rua.
The details of all donations raised this year will be given at the General Assembly Meeting.

Please consider making an end of year donation to our charities here – https://portokind.org/donate-now/

*2026 – As we head into the new year, we are looking for host and event ideas. Please send your ideas to portokindevents@gmail.com. All ideas are welcome!

Porto Kind thanks you for believing in our mission. We look forward to sharing new changes and events with you as we grow and learn more ways to help our chosen community.

We wish you a happy and healthy holiday season!

Becky Walz and everyone at Porto Kind