In 2022, Tarrant County experienced at least one heat-related illness or death per week during the summer. This year, the Climate Prediction Center predicts our region is likely to experience above normal temperatures again this summer. However, with the help of United Way of Tarrant County, you can support heat-vulnerable populations with the “Beat the Heat” Collection Drive! For over 100 years, United Way of Tarrant County has worked to improve the lives of those in our community. As nonprofit leaders, they bring together individuals, groups, donors, and service providers to help solve some of the toughest social issues affecting Tarrant County. Each year, United Way serves more than 300,000 individuals, empowering them to live wonderful lives. To commemorate their 100th anniversary, on June 21 from 9 am- 1 pm, United Way of Tarrant County is launching the “Day of Action” where they will be collecting 100 AC units to

Have you heard? This year, GRACE is hosting their 20th annual Gala – that’s something to get excited about! With just under 6 months to go until the big day, today we’d like to shine the spotlight on this year’s Auction Chair, Christine Palmer.  Christine’s involvement with GRACE began in 2021, when she attended the Gala VIP Party at the home of Madeline and David Ricci. As you may know, the Ricci’s are this year’s Gala Chairs! Now teamed up with Christine, this gala is sure to be the best one yet.   While Christine may be newer to the GRACE mission, she is no stranger to caring for her community and supporting others. She began a career in nursing in 2001, and after 12 dedicated years, she navigated toward the technology side of things in 2013. These days, Christine works a packed schedule as the Director of Clinical Applications for

We need YOU! This summer please consider volunteering time with GRACE! From sorting donations at the GRACE Donation Station- to helping our resale shops sell donations, GRACE has many wonderful ways to help you get involved! It’s so easy to get the volunteer process started. GRACE Volunteer Orientation is the entry point for all new and current volunteers who want to know more about GRACE and how they can find the right volunteering opportunity for them. This 45-minute detailed meeting goes over each volunteer opportunity, its purpose, and the tasks of each volunteer. Volunteer Manager, Ryan Jackson, leads the orientations and finds something interesting about each one. “Many volunteers have come to an orientation and have found other opportunities to serve at GRACE they weren’t aware of.” said Ryan. “ I love when this happens because it shows that GRACE has so many opportunities for volunteers and their passion on

Summer is here which only means one thing, GRACE Feed Our Kids (FOK) and the GRACE Grocery Giveaway are both back to serving the community! Since the start of this summer’s FOK, GRACE has already seen hundreds of children throughout the community with the goal of serving all children who normally receive lunches through the school food programs. Over the past 2 weeks, volunteer groups have stepped up to serve the children of the community. Providing not only lunches but also arts and crafts, games and fun activities, GRACE volunteers have proven that when we come together for a good cause, everyone has a good time. GRACE’s Seasonal Programs Coordinator, Beth Chernik is ecstatic about the turnout of volunteers wanting to serve the community and because of that turnout, most dates and locations are filled with volunteers. However, we still have spots to fill and need your help! I am

School’s out, and you know what that means – endless volunteer opportunities all summer long! This is a great way for you to serve your community during the season. Read on to find out how you can be involved! You don’t want to miss out. The GRACE Feed Our Kids (FOK) Program is a seasonal lunch program led by Seasonal Programs Coordinator, Beth Chernik. FOK provides lunches to local children who may rely on school to provide their midday meal, and therefore face having to go without it when school is not in session. So, how can you help? Volunteer to provide these children with a good meal, warm smiles, and a welcoming atmosphere! There is plenty of room for creativity, with many volunteers providing arts and crafts materials, sports equipment, or music for the perfect lunchtime dance break. Children not only receive a good lunch, but are able to

Each quarter, GRACE Staff takes time to recognize their coworkers for the way they present and carry out the GRACE Mission to our clients, our donors, and each other. These moments of recognition come in the form of nominations for the Mission Vision Practice (MVP) Award. This quarter’s winner is Lakissia (Kissy) Walker who works at Donation Station! Kissy’s coworker submitted the following nomination: “I cannot say enough about the customer service that I hear from this person, especially on the phone with donors, she is exceptional! When I interact with Kissy her attitude is always positive, she had an eye for great donations big or small that come through GRACE Drive. She is a great team player. We both agree on our Mission at GRACE, ‘to be a good steward’. I am grateful to know and work with her.” Congratulations Kissy, your encouragement and positive outlook are second to

Yesterday, we announced Stacy Pacholick, GRACE’s chief program officer, as our Interim Executive Director. We are thrilled to welcome Stacy in this new role and look forward to her continued positive impact on the GRACE community. Stacy has served GRACE for a decade. Starting as Director of Programs, she has grown to oversee all of GRACE’s programming, including Client Services, Clinic, Food Pantry, Transitional Housing, and the Friends & Family program as well as seasonal events like Feed Our Kids and the Christmas Cottage. Her background with other social services programs such as The Parenting Center in Fort Worth and The Salvation Army in Kansas City underscore Stacy’s deep expertise and passion for serving her community. Stacy has been celebrated by her peers for providing stellar customer service and cultivating a positive atmosphere for the GRACE team. We are looking forward to another successful summer for GRACE Programs!    

Over the past few months, GRACE has been seeing a significant increase in clients coming in for food assistance, and due to this and many of the Pantry staples running low, The GRACE Food Pantry needs your urgent help! The Food Pantry is open from Mondays-Friday from 9 am- 5 pm. During this time GRACE Clients are able to come inside the pantry and shop for groceries like they would at a normal grocery store. Most of the items that clients shop for are donated by individuals, families, and civic, church, and business groups. Food drives and visits to your local grocery store are great ways to give back to the GRACE Food Pantry. Click here to view, print, and share our most recently updated Food Pantry Needs. You can also shop online for our Food Pantry with the help of our Food Pantry Amazon List located here. Any item

The month of May was a very busy and exciting month for the GRACE Clients at Transitional Housing. Early in the month, they were greeted by a surprise, but very familiar guest in the Community. The Grapevine Fire Department arrived at the scene, not for an emergency, but to talk about fire safety. GRACE Clients learned about new ways to keep their homes safe and how to prevent kitchen fires. They also received great information on what to do in case of a tornado and other types of inclement weather. Everyone had a chance to see the hard work and dedication that the Grapevine Fire Department gives to the community and how they are just as nice they are on and off the job. If you ask the children of our clients, they would tell you that the best part for them was “climbing and playing in the big fire

Today is bittersweet. After more than 16 years at the helm of GRACE, Shonda Schaefer has stepped down as CEO. Her wise leadership earned GRACE a reputation for compassion, excellence and effectiveness. Shonda’s advocacy for those we serve attracted many generous and faithful friends who have shared their time, resources and dedication to advance GRACE’s mission.To support this transition, the GRACE Board of Directors is pleased to announce Stacy Pacholick as Interim Executive Director. Stacy’s decade of experience as GRACE’s Chief Program Officer makes her a strong and informed leader. Her commitment to the GRACE family and community is unwavering and we are confident she will gracefully shepherd the organization into its newest chapter. Under Shonda’s leadership, GRACE has become known as a place where those with personal crises and health challenges can come for physical, financial and emotional healing. On behalf of the entire GRACE team, we thank Shonda for