GRACE is proud to announce that we have been recognized as a Platinum organization by GuideStar. GuideStar, which is a part of an organization called Candid, serves as a rating and recognition system for non-profits around the world. Per Candid’s website: “Every year, millions of nonprofits spend trillions of dollars around the world. Candid finds out where that money comes from, where it goes, and why it matters. Through research, collaboration, and training, Candid connects people who want to change the world to the resources they need to do it. Candid’s data tools on nonprofits, foundations, and grants are the most comprehensive in the world. Foundation Center and GuideStar joined forces to become Candid, a 501c3 nonprofit organization.” A team of GRACE employees including Teresa Smith and Kristina Davis worked on the arduous process of attaining our certification. “Platinum, the highest level of recognition GuideStar offers allows organizations to push

We are proud to announce that after a few delays the tax preparation program VITA is starting on Monday. This year marks the 11th anniversary of the VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program. GRACE has partnered with the City of Fort Worth and United Way of Tarrant County to provide free tax preparation to individuals and families who qualify for this program. Last year was an especially difficult year for VITA because of COVID-19 restrictions set in place that changed the service delivery model from ‘in person’ services to ‘drop off’ services only. In addition, as the transition was put in place, the City of Fort Worth and the United Way decided to close the program for several months but were able to extend the services to allow for as many tax returns to be prepared as possible. Even with these unforeseen restrictions, volunteers completed 260 returns, placing over $550,000 back

The GRACE Family wants to welcome our new Development and Volunteer Coordinator, Heather DeMoss. Heather has an important job at GRACE considering we rely so heavily on our volunteer force. Ms. DeMoss is in charge of managing our volunteers, coordinating sign up opportunities, sending out volunteer background checks to make sure everyone is safe, conducting orientations, and answering any questions about being a volunteer with our organization. Heather came to work in the non-profit arena after discovering it in college. “I was actually studying psychology at the time, but I took an internship at a small counseling center in Dallas and really enjoyed it,” Heather said. “I developed my appreciation for the non-profit world there, and now I love it.” Enjoying her role in the development of the organization, Heather said she’s been surprised by the hands on approach management takes here at GRACE. “I originally applied for a different

GRACE had to rearrange our hours due to a number reasons…most of which were COVID related. But we are proud to announce that our retail stores are going back to their original hours. 9:30am-7pm Monday thru Saturday 12-6pm Sunday These hours apply to both of our stores GRACEful Buys Grapevine located at 418 E Northwest and at our Euless location at 700 W. Euless Blvd. Pop in this weekend and bring your friends and family to find fun clothes, furniture, and random treasures. Donation Station, the place where all of our GB goodies begin their GRACEful journey, is also adjusting their hours. You can now drop off your gently used goods during our extended (used to be normal) hours. 8am-1pm Monday thru Friday 8am-5pm Saturday It feels great to be able to offer these new hours to you, our loyal shoppers – not to mention that any step toward normalcy

The Grapevine Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards Banquet, presented by Bank of the West, was held on the 28th at The Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center in Grapevine. The event recognizes and celebrates volunteerism and good citizenship in the community.  Attendance to this year’s banquet was limited due to COVID concerns but that didn’t dampen sprits…if anything it raised them. 2020 showed us all how important it is to be civically minded and the importance of volunteerism. The extreme nature of our new normal brought out the best in the recognized individuals that were awarded and nominated alike. Several of the recipients who were honored are affiliated with GRACE programs and services. We are proud of all of our volunteers and congratulate all who were nominated and received awards in our communities. The Chamber Awards for 2020 went to the following individuals and businesses:(Winners are in bold) Chairman’s Award Klint

The GRACE Family gathered this week to welcome a new member into our fold. Dozens joined us digitally to welcome our newest Transitional Housing client into her new home. We look forward to a time when we will be able to conduct these Home Reveal and Home Blessings in person but until then we will continue this beloved tradition online so that everyone can stay safe but still enjoy this wonderful day. Our newest TH member comes to us from Louisiana originally…Centrelle Franklin came to Texas looking for a better life and after living with her sister for a short time, she found out about GRACE and this program. She developed a relationship with TH Case Manager Ravan Anderson and was eventually invited into the program. Miss Franklin, as she is known, showed true emotion and offered kind and thoughtful words when she spoke about her journey and the future

Congregation Beth Israel’s (CBI) 8th Annual Un-Casino Night benefitting GRACE will be taking place online for the first time ever, tomorrow from 7:30pm – 9:30pm! The event benefits GRACE and four other amazing organizations – CBI, Jewish Family Services of Ft. Worth and Tarrant County, Stepping Stones Foundation, and the Jordan Elizabeth Harris Foundation. CBI is asking you to consider purchasing at least one raffle ticket to win one of nine Amazon gift cards ranging from $100-$1,000 and/or making a direct donation. You will be making a difference for each of these great beneficiaries allowing them to provide the services needed at this crucial time within our community. More than ever, your support is needed, at whatever level you can support. Gaming isn’t the only thing happening, CBI has a silent auction with items available for bidding right now. CBI also has a live auction along with each beneficiary sharing

An unbelievable act of kindness for a group of unbelievably hard workers makes for a wonderful example of community and the power of caring for others. Jason Ridley of Jason Ridley Agency was recently at a meeting where our CEO Shonda Schaefer explained the hard work that our Client Services Department was engaged in. For those that aren’t familiar, our Client Services Team work to help intake and navigate GRACE and all the services that are available to our clients. The CS Team are normally the first interaction clients have with the organization and serve as both friend and case worker to those who come to GRACE in need. This last year has been especially busy for Client Services with nearly double the workload since COVID-19 ravaged our community. The long hours and hard work these amazing individuals are enduring gave Jason an idea…an act of kindness and generosity as

Saturday is National Pie Day and to celebrate, the Queen of Pies, Judy Balunda of JudyPie has decided to put together a most delicious fundraiser for GRACE! It’s simple, head over to JudyPie located at 520 South Main, Grapevine, TX or call 817-400-PIES…bring five non-perishables, which will be donated to GRACE, and get 25% off your pie order. Five non-perishable items for a delicious pie at a HUGE discount…what’s not to love?! But the offer doesn’t stop there – JudyPie has offered FREE PIE FOR A YEAR to whoever brings in the most items. Helping out the community, a local business, and getting a smoking deal in return for it are the easy parts…figuring out what kind of pie you want is the hard part! Get ready for tomorrow and while you’re there, thank the good people of JudyPie for the heart and soul they put into their pies and the

The GRACE Family is proud to introduce our new Pantry Manager, Marcus Miranda! As Pantry Manger he’s in charge of inventory, organization of commodities, coordinating pick-ups, and furthering the overall mission of our Pantry which is to feed as many people as possible with the best quality foods. Overseeing an operation like this is no small job – Marcus has a large number of staff, volunteers, and clients to look after. Luckily, his time serving in the Navy helped him prepare for a job this complicated. Born and raised in Dallas/Irving, after graduation he signed up for the Navy in part because that is who his father served with. “I wanted to serve my country and to travel…I was stationed in amazing places like Japan, California, and Washington State,” said Marcus. His time in Japan was particularly eye opening… “The courtesy the Japanese have for others had a big impact