GRACE has embarked on a capital campaign to grow our services. The Rooted In GRACE campaign will bring all GRACE services under one roof, provide space for growth, and offer areas so our collaborating partners can serve our clients. The following pages touch on the background and needs for the Rooted In GRACE project. If you would like more detailed information, or would like someone to talk with about Rooted In GRACE, please call Mark Woolverton, GRACE Donor Services, 817-305-4654.
Capital Campaign Goal: $3.5 million
Current Gifts and Pledges: $2.1 million (June 1)
The genesis of GRACE began as a small seed nurtured by several forward-looking ministries and urged to blossom by committed early leaders.
The founding of GRACE came from a small group of church leaders who wanted to create a single source to assist those in their congregations who had fallen on hard times. This way the fortunate families in their congregations could help those in need.
The scope of GRACE services expanded over time, yet the philosophy of tailoring relief services for each client, and offering a path to self-sufficiency continues to guide our hand.
Our plan reunites our services as envisioned by our founders, and expands the clear sense of openness and availability that marks GRACE as a place where clients can overcome their difficulties and become self-reliant members of the community.
Mostly for the children of GRACE clients, new and gently used clothing is packaged for each season and distributed to families four times a year. Both adults and children are included in the winter distribution of coats, shoes, bedding and blankets. Adults receive vouchers for clothing at the GRACE resale stores.
The stability of GRACE—its trunk—is its leadership that forms a solid base that both supports and sustains.
GRACE has achieved extraordinary organizational development and growth over the past ten years. Through strategic planning and strong fiducial oversight, GRACE has a steady, diversified and debt-free financial position.
We believe that diversity in thought and representation from all sectors of the community is key to identifying with our mission and serves to keep the leadership and staff well-rounded.
Beyond being a welcoming and open mission, our leadership has a commitment to greater engagement with the community and partnership with other agencies.
Our project will provide extended opportunities for collaborations; settings for lectures, workshops and other educational presentations; and additional meeting and work spaces.
Far exceeding national success rates for similar programs, individuals and families break the cycles of domestic violence, poverty and homelessness through a counseling-intense two-year program that focuses on life skills, education, employment, and physical, emotional and spiritual health.
The rings of the trunk are the years-upon-years of individual dedication wrapped around the core mission of GRACE.
The GRACE mission remains a humble vow to God and to our community to serve those less fortunate with compassion, and declares the aim we set for all our clients—self-sufficiency. At its base is a promise to use every gift in the most effective, efficient and timely manner to help people in crisis.
Every year more than 5,000 people enter GRACE’s doors and admit their overwhelming struggles and their desire for a better life for themselves and their families. Compassion inspires our hope, encouragement and guidance for all who come to GRACE.
Our plan eases current access challenges for clients, anticipates growth in service provision needs in the future, and provides space for greater engagement with community groups and collaborators.
GRACE’s programs for children include Feed Our Kids, Back-to-School and Christmas Cottage. Unique shopping experiences that preserve the dignity of parents at Christmastime, or on-site summertime lunches in at-risk neighborhoods, Seasonal Programs relieve the anxiety and worry of struggling parents.
The programs of GRACE are represented in the extending branches and the supple flexibility that has allowed GRACE to foresee and respond to needs in the community.
GRACE services have advanced over time as responses to studied and confirmed needs in the communities we serve. As such, GRACE provides services with renowned efficiency and effectiveness.
Population growth in our communities has surged over the last decade and indications are it will continue to grow at much the same rate into the foreseeable future.
Our current building configurations are limited in practical ways to reallocate spacing for the growth of service provision.
Our project addresses this challenge with added space for client services, programming, development, finance and administration; renovated space for clinic exams, counseling, food storage and distribution; open spaces for expanded services; and designated areas for classrooms, meeting spaces, and offices for collaborating agencies.
A grocery store-setting presents clients with a variety of choices in food, pet supplies, cleaning materials and toiletries. The Pantry also supports the monthly Senior Commodities distributions, GRACE Grocery Giveaway, Feed Our Kids and Holiday Distributions at Thanksgiving and Christmas.
The leaves are the thousands of GRACE volunteers and staff that have committed their lives to its compassionate mission.
GRACE staff and volunteers empathize with those who seek a better life for themselves and their families, and work to ensure that dignity and worth are upheld for all who come to GRACE.
The population of six communities in our area, Colleyville, Grapevine, Keller, Southlake, Roanoke and Trophy Club have increased by 50% since 2000.
This population growth is mirrored by the number of services provided by GRACE over time. In 2011 the total number of services provided was 38,604. In 2013, it was 65,964—an increase of nearly 71%.
More than 15% of households in Tarrant County, and 22% of children under the age of 18, live below the poverty line. In the Grapevine Colleyville Independent School District, 23% of children qualify for free and reduced lunches. Last year a survey at a Back-To-School Fair found 40% of families said they do not have enough food in the house to feed their families.
Our plan positions GRACE to handle the continuing growth in the demand for our services.
Volunteer physicians, nurses, pharmacists and other medical professionals provide primary medical diagnosis and treatment for people with no insurance, Medicaid, or Medicare, and do not qualify for treatment in the Tarrant County JPS Healthcare System. The Clinic also provides health and wellness classes, dietetic instruction, and food preparation courses.
GRACE clients feast on the fruits and thrive in our continuum of care.
The community has entrusted GRACE to direct these resources effectively and efficiently. In the last five years, GRACE has given more than $9.3 million in direct program costs to nearly 24,000 individuals. For those less fortunate these gifts give hope, encouragement and guidance to a better life.
The project plans for a single location to provide emergency assistance, food, clothing, shelter, medical care, referrals and counseling. This will be a substantial benefit to clients who can find solutions to nearly all of their needs with one visit to GRACE.
GRACE volunteers match with seniors and health-challenged adults easing the burden of living with financial and physical limitations. Volunteers also team to provide maintenance and renovation services, deliver groceries, and provide access to other community services.
It’s easy to get caught up in numbers. Numbers served. Number of households. Percentages and totals.
At GRACE we never lose sight of the fact that every number represents a person who is struggling with crises and seeking a better life. Each comes to GRACE. The staff and volunteers of GRACE work to ensure the dignity of every person is upheld and accept the merits of his or her struggle to overcome crises.
Each comes to GRACE; and they come to GRACE by the thousands every year.