“Wow! What a gorgeous setting! The excellent food, wine and company made for a super fun evening. Thank you for all of the new friends you brought to GRACE.!!!”                                                                  —Beth Chernik, GRACE Seasonal Programs Coordinator Accolades like this one were numerous and offered to GRACE Gala chairs Ana Erwin and Jessica Cruz, and Gala Sponsor Chair LeAnn Brown. Their planning, and the generosity of hosts Madeline and David Ricci, made for a wonderful “friend raiser” Wednesday night. Set in the old world-style courtyard of the Ricci’s home in Westlake, well over thirty friends, neighbors, associates, and well-wishers joined to learn more about GRACE and the GRACE Gala. The icing on the cake—er—the bubbles in the prosecco, was a

Your vote for GRACE can result in a cash reward from Tom’s Mechanical in Arlington. Each month, Tom’s Mechanical asks its staff and customers to nominate their favorite charities for a special gift. The last week of each month, Tom’s Mechanical posts the top 3 nominated organizations on their Facebook page with a link to vote for the one to receive the donation. “We believe in giving back to the community we serve,” said Rich Ashton, president of Tom’s Mechanical. “We also like to work with agencies that do good work in our community.” GRACE is part of a three-agency race for the month of September. Voting is underway. Also, please follow Tom’s Mechanical on Facebook to track the results! Tom’s Mechanical is renowned for excellent customer care and high-quality HVAC services. From AC repair to heating replacements, Tom’s team of experts is experienced with repairing and replacing a number

The results are in! As usual we are both humbled and amazed! Preliminary number indicate yesterday’s North Texas Giving Day raised more than $62,000 for GRACE programs and services. Even more heartwarming, more than 170 people made time in their busy day to log onto the North Texas Giving Day website and make a pledge to support GRACE. Overall, GRACE joined nearly 3,400 other North Texas agencies in the 18-hour give-a-thon. In total, more than 104,000 donors gave nearly $66.6 million to help those in need in North Texas. North Texas Giving Day was established by Communities Foundation of Texas in 2009 to introduce local charitable organizations to a new audience and raise funds and volunteerism. For all of you who volunteer, give and pray for GRACE any other day of the year, your support truly guides this agency. GRACE is only the channel through which your generosity helps those

The American Heart Association (AHA) and American Medical Association (AMA) have awarded Gold Level status to the GRACE Community Clinic for the fifth year in a row. This year the Community Clinic was additionally recognized with Target: BP Gold Plus Status award, citing practices that have demonstrated a commitment to measurement accuracy, and serving 70 percent or more of their adult patient population with controlled high blood pressure. Bry Mabry, American Heart Association, director of community impact for North Texas, sent the following: “The AHA and AMA congratulate you on achieving Gold + Level Achievement Award with the Target: BP Initiative. We thank you for your continued support and commitment.” “Target: BP” is a joint AHA and AMA project launched in 2015 to improve blood pressure (hypertension) control and aims to reduce the number of Americans who have heart attacks and strokes by urging medical practices, health service organizations, and

A new concept in fundraising attractions will debut this year at the GRACE Gala, November 6, at the Irving Convention Center. The GRACE Gala is often at the forefront of new, exciting ways for guests to support GRACE programs and services. This year the tradition continues. In keeping with the vibrant and festive décor of this year’s GRACE Gala celebration, a “Piñata Pull” will offer an interactive way for guests to support GRACE. Dozens of small, colorful piñatas will float above the display, waiting to be selected by guests. Once a piñata is chosen, the guest will pull a tab to reveal a marker good for a bottle of spirits provided by Bear Creek Spirits & Wine. Randy Johnson, owner of Bear Creek Spirits & Wines, is providing the prizes at deeply discounted costs. AND there is another way you can help GRACE. Now though November 5, when you visit

This message is coming to you only through our Amazing GRACE Weekly newsletter. Thank you for being a part of the GRACE family. Thank you for helping GRACE respond to the vital needs of our community! GRACE is here ONLY because of your generosity. Each year giving supporters like you join us for the exciting online event North Texas Giving Day. All next Thursday, September 23, GRACE and thousands of other charities in this region will be asking for your support. As you know, GRACE embraces the philosophy that encouraging self-sufficiency will, in turn, strengthen families and help preserve neighborhoods and communities. It is only through your generosity that we are able to offer compassion and assistance to those who so desperately need it. For many years now, GRACE has been witness to this cycle of families building and succeeding, only to be undercut by an illness, loss of a job, decreased work

GRACE Transitional Housing Manager Martisha Smith, and Marisol Landaverde, GRACE Client Services Bilingual Caseworker II, each recently received certification through the Leadership Academy of Homeless Services offered by the Tarrant County Homeless Coalition. The Leadership Academy was created to provide professional development to case managers and share best practices to promote excellence and consistency in the quality of care provided to the homeless in our communities. The 10-week program focuses on educating and enabling case managers to better serve clients; increasing knowledge on research-based interventions and best practices; enhancing collaboration and problem-solving between partner agencies; expanding leadership opportunities for academy graduates; improving community outcomes; and creating a unified case management approach in the community. This curriculum was designed for case managers to connect with others serving the homeless population. Course objectives increase the candidates’ knowledge and develop the essential skills needed to work with the diverse homeless population in Tarrant

The new and elegant Hotel Vin will welcome more than 150 guests to the GRACE Gala VIP Party on Thursday, October 21—the festivities begin at 5:30 p.m. But you can only get in by becoming a sponsor of the GRACE Gala! The event is presented by Sewell BMW of Grapevine and will honor Gala sponsors and volunteer leadership. Gala Bronze sponsorships and up offer VIP Party invitations as part of the benefit package. With the GRACE Gala only a few weeks away on November 6, the VIP Party will take a moment and thank the many sponsors, volunteers, committee members, and others who bring the Gala to life, and express gratitude for raising much-needed funds for client services and programs. The VIP Party is also a great chance to meet and chat with others who have a heart for those GRACE serves. The fellowship and networking is second-to-none with the

Staff at the Kubota Tractor Company offices in Grapevine celebrated the summer with a food drive for the GRACE Food Pantry. Kubota Internal Controls Manager Frank Rivas, CPA, and members of his Corporate Social Responsibility committee, organized the drive asking for gifts of canned goods, and non-perishable food items throughout August. GRACE Food Pantry Manager Marcus Miranda provided a “Pantry Needs” list and a start date of August 2 was set. With a theme of “Come Back and Give Back!”, Kubota staffers who were returning to in-office status began filling a massive box in the headquarters lobby. Surrounded by Kubota signature orange tractors, front loaders, and other earthmovers, the staff responded with much-needed groceries. For more information about the GRACE Food Pantry, contact Marcus Miranda at 817-305-4677.

A special “First Wednesday” meeting of GRACE staff launched Fiscal Year 2022 in a very festive way! Chief Executive Officer Shonda Schaefer and Melissa Simpkins, director of administration and executive assistant to the CEO, treated the staff to a “Happy New (fiscal) Year” celebration in the Community Rooms of the GRACE Main offices. The 2021 fiscal year officially came to a close on August 31. Just like with much of FY20, the year was marked by a continuing struggle with the coronavirus pandemic, and the impact the pandemic has had on staffing, volunteerism, and funding. More than anything, the year was blemished by the impact COVID-19 and its variants have had on those GRACE serves, especially those from the local hospitality industry that is still struggling to recover. Still, FY21 had its share of highlights! End-of-year statistics included “best evers” for the GRACE Community Clinic, the GRACE Food Pantry, and