Feed Our Kids Volunteer Karla Turner has a unique bond with those who come to a particular Feed Our Kids site whose residents are most vulnerable to hunger. She and her three boys used to live there.
Karla relocated to Grapevine from Detroit in the early nineties and made their home in an apartment off Mustang Drive.
In addition to being a single mother, not having transportation made everyday tasks problematic. While she maintained a steady job at the Grapevine Senior Center, being the sole wage earner for a family of four meant money was tight.
A friend connected her with GRACE, where Karla received utility assistance for the hot summers and cold winters, and shopped at the GRACE Food Pantry to ensure there was enough food in the cupboard.
This was also a time before smart phones and search engines, and she recalls how comforting it was to have an advocate she could call on for referrals or family resources.
When asked if GRACE impacted her family, Karla’s tearful response was, “How can it not? Even though I had no family here, I knew I didn’t have to do it by myself. I was treated more than a client at GRACE. It gave me the confidence to pursue greater education and lead by example for my sons.”
Karla achieved her Associates Degree in Education, but it’s easy to tell that her most proud achievements are the boys she raised into remarkable men.
Michael studied at Tarrant County College, and enjoys a stable, fulfilling job. Montgomery graduated with an academic scholarship to Baylor University, and is passionate improving healthcare policy. Dennis is about to graduate from University of North Texas with a Bachelor of Business and Marketing.
The close-knit congregation they attended was made up of fathers who were intentional about taking Karla’s sons to baseball games, fishing trips, and other opportunities for Christlike mentorship.
Michael, Montgomery and Dennis realize it’s important to revisit their roots in what is now The Courtyards Apartments to develop relationships with children who face the same struggles they once faced.
Their family is passionate about encouraging at-risk children to dream big, and often remind them that the world is a big place full of opportunity and chances. Karla says she’s watched these children grow up, and doesn’t want them to feel forgotten.
“Without GRACE and the divine relationships within the Church, my boys would have been a statistic,” said Karla.
GRACE is grateful for Covenant Church and Karla’s family for serving families in the midst of hardships. Thank you for your servant heart and example!
Karla has partnered with GRACE on behalf of Covenant Church, where she serves on staff as the Special Events Coordinator. This is Karla’s seventh summer participate in Feed Our Kids.
