Have you seen it yet? Our heartwarming 8-minute video titled “GRACEGala2016” is streaming on GRACE Grapevine’s YouTube channel and on our Facebook page. It elegantly captures GRACE’s aim to “Share The Light of Christ” with those in need. This is what we are about. At the end of the video, you’ll realize why the staff at GRACE works so hard for our clients. You could hear and see the emotional response from the audience at the Gala. While the video played, candles were lit and passed around to all 75 tables in the grand ballroom at the Irving Convention Center. It was quite a sight, and quite an experience. It was visual testimony to hope and love in the kind of work that we do. You’ll need to grab a tissue before you hit “play”.
Read more →Upscale Resale is in full swing as our newest store celebrates its success in Euless! Our two GRACEful Buys stores carry gently-used clothing, furniture, housewares, home décor, books and holiday decorations. At GRACE, the proceeds from resale go back to fund programs for those in need. Euless store manager, Larry Cervantes, says that the success of the store is largely in part to the camaraderie with his customers: “We have established ourselves as a true neighborhood store. We have several customers who come in every day or several times a week, usually just to say ‘hi’, but they end up making some type of purchase. And as we’ve gotten to know our customers on a personal level, we’ve laughed and cried with them and prayed for them. The store team has created an environment that welcomes a personal relationship with our customers. I feel that our location has offered the local
Read more →GRACE was recently one of the recipients of the Bank of America Neighborhood Builders® Leadership Program, which has been recognized as the nation’s largest philanthropic investment in nonprofit leadership development. Neighborhood Builders® was launched over 10 years ago. As part of the award, high-performing nonprofits were hand-selected from a pool of applicants to receive leadership development and $200,000 in flexible funding. This is a part of Bank of America’s efforts to build thriving communities by working with its leaders. They believe that big businesses have an obligation to impact the community in positive ways. Earlier this year, GRACE Executive Director Shonda Schaefer flew to California to attend the executive level conference while our Director of Programs, Stacy Pacholick, traveled to St. Louis to join other emerging leaders. The conferences teach community leaders to better prepare for the future by providing the tools and resources they need to develop stronger strategic
Read more →Next week, we are honoring Shonda Schaefer’s dedicated service to GRACE as Executive Director. Shonda was elected to the GRACE Board of Directors in 2003, and asked to take on the role of Executive Director in 2006. GRACE has developed into the successful organization that it is today because Shonda believes in the power of collaboration of driven individuals. She says, “Ten years ago, we were half the size we are now. Our programs have increased in reach, with the various departments coordinating efforts to create a holistic approach.” GRACE partners with almost 100 different nonprofit businesses and organizations to serve the needs of the community. She added, “The culture has also changed drastically. To be more of a family, get the wheels turning in the right direction.” GRACE truly is a well-oiled machine. Shonda is proud of the fact that GRACE has been ranked consistently at or above the
Read more →Our Food Pantry inventory is low or out on many items, and we need your help! Download the latest shopping list for our Food Pantry below: pantryneeds012017
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We were blown away by the dedication and generosity of our volunteers and guests who made this one of the best GRACE Galas yet! Hundreds of you filled the Irving Convention Center ballroom to fund the life-changing programs at GRACE throughout the year. The night began with a special art performance by renowned Christian speed painter Lance Brown, whose mission is to “spread the Gospel with paint.” The colorblind artist spun his abstract painting to reveal a detailed likeness of Jesus’ profile. NBC 5’s four-o’clock Anchor Bianca Castro welcomed the guests as the evening’s Mistress of Ceremonies. Dr. Todd Renner of White’s Chapel United Methodist Church began the evening with an invocation. The team at Alford Media outdid themselves again this year by dressing the stage with dramatic gold and maroon drapery, and setting up laser lights and confetti for the celebration. Auction items were showcased on multiple digital screens
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The Angel of GRACE is awarded each year to a person or organization who exemplifies GRACE’s mission of stewardship, compassion and guidance toward self-sufficiency. In past years we have recognized businesses, churches, cities, and individuals for their invaluable service to our community. Berkeys Air Conditioning, Plumbing, & Electrical is a company dedicated not only to outstanding service, but to the improvement of the community by helping those in need. On the business front, Berkeys is well known for their outstanding, fast, and reliable service. Behind the scenes, Berkeys Owner and President, Jamie Wooldridge, goes above and beyond to utilize his resources to help advance the mission of GRACE. Their annual HVAC, plumbing, and electrical maintenance contribution covers recurring costs and potential emergencies at GRACE sites- a costly service for a non-profit organization if not for their generosity. Berkeys has also been a top sponsor for the annual GRACE Gala, with
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Many of us have set out to improve the curb appeal of our home to make it seem more welcoming to guests and passersby. For those in our Transitional Housing program, feelings of home eventually fade away or elude them after prolonged violence, despair or crisis. Valspar and the team at CWS Corporate Housing understood the importance of creating a comfortable refuge for our clients by giving a fresh coat of paint to the exterior of the Transition Housing residents’ homes. CWS Corporate Housing donated the manpower, and Valspar donated all of the paint and supplies for the beautification project. Last year CWS Corporate Housing, the 2015 GRACE Volunteer Group of the year, provided new landscaping, plumbing and furnishings to the apartments, going so far as to donate their personal time off and collect a pool of over $3,000 to complete the projects. The transformation of the Transitional Housing grounds
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Volunteers are the heartbeat of GRACE, and our Sponsors are foundational in providing food, clothing, shelter and medical care to struggling families in our midst. The GRACE Gala takes hundreds of volunteer hours and visionary investors to ensure vital programming continues throughout the year. We’d like to recognize business partners, volunteers and Gala Committee members who are truly instrumental in furthering the GRACE Mission: 2016 GRACE Gala Committee Members Gala Co-Chairs Andy Cunningham Ashley Cunningham Raffle Chair Stephanie Hays Sponsorship Chairs Kevin Chase Stacey Chase Auction Co-Chairs Melissa Pritchett Anna Sheehan Jesika Cook Traci Coy Ana Erwin Carol Hartvigsen Sheila Moyer Tiffany O’Malley Bree Vopelak Title Sponsor The Thompson Group at Classic Chevrolet Platinum Plus Berkeys Air Conditioning, Plumbing, Electrical North Texas Specialty Physicians Feature Sponsors Accenture BNSF Railway EY HCL Technologies Salesforce SAP America, Inc. The Hartnett Group World Wide Technology & EMC Gold Sponsors KPMG EFH, TXU Energy
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Celebrate the holidays with GRACE and help us collect toys for families in need this season. The community is encouraged to attend GRACE’s annual Christmas Cottage Open House, a special evening when families and businesses have the opportunity to donate new, unwrapped toys to make the holiday season special for children in need. Thanks to the generosity of the City of Grapevine and sponsor Park Place Lexus in Grapevine, GRACE is able to utilize the same Christmas Cottage site for its third consecutive year at 815 S Main Street off Dallas in Grapevine. The Open House will be held on Wednesday, November 30. Guests are encouraged to bring new, unwrapped gifts to children and families in need. This is an ideal holiday event for your family, church, civic group or business to attend. Refreshments and Christmas cheer will be provided! Holiday goodies will be served for the children at 4:00
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