The resilience shown by the graduates celebrated at this year’s Mentorship Housing Graduation goes beyond just their time at GRACE. As you will read below, so many have not just preserved, but have overcome.
As you read through the achievements of each of the graduates, take time to reflect on the impact that your partnership with GRACE has had. Your impact goes beyond this handful of highlighted lives to the stories of thousands of our neighbors who just needed that moment of empowerment. They were met with a kind community who encouraged them, and with their support allowed GRACE to show them a path out of crisis and into accomplishment.
Scott:
· Promoted at his job from temp security guard to a permanent executive position
· Stopped smoking one month after entering the program
· 1st time college student
Jasmine:
· Paralegal degree completion in March
· Prepping for ASVAB to enter the Air Force
· Paid off over $4k of debt
Carmem:
· Worked to obtain Visa for her and her daughter
· Completed real estate classes
· Began start up work for her small business
Rashawnda:
· Paid off over $8K of debt
Regina:
· Paid off almost $20K of debt
· Amassed a savings of over $10K
Kaomi:
· Obtained her Driver’s License for the first time
· 2 time awardee of Employee of the Month
Grace:
· Closed on tiny home and is now a home owner!
When looking back on the last two years, Mentorship Housing Manager Martisha Smith bragged, “This group of graduates is special because amongst their daily faith and determination, they have grit! They’ve had moments of uncertainty and maybe even fallen down, but they continue get back up and it’s paid off! I’m so proud of each of them, and I look forward to more tremendous success.”
The evening would not have been possible without the partnership of the following: Paradise Cove at Lake Grapevine for donating the venue, Loveria Caffe and HTeaO for providing food and beverages, to Monica Huber, Treva Donnelly & Kelly Lawrence of First Baptist Grapevine for pouring into our graduates, Kay Allen and the GRACE Board of Directors for their gifts and support, the Grapevine Police Department, and the numerous churches and individuals who helped set up and decorate apartments, and who were on call for the needs of all GRACE Mentorship Housing participants.
Thank you to a community that surrounds our graduates to celebrate the small and the big wins alike.