As many of us know, vehicles require a great deal of attention to detail. Tire pressure, engine check, and cleanliness are just some of the regular checks that many need in order smoothly operate a vehicle. Our clients from the GRACE Transitional Housing program were given an all inclusive workshop on proper vehicle maintenance, and they had a blast. Carli and Anthony from the North Central Texas Council of Governments came out to GRACE to host a workshop for our clients about the best practices for maintaining their vehicles. The workshop included information on basic car care, air quality, jumping a car, and more. The ladies also had the opportunity to perform a few key tasks such as checking the oil and running a diagnostic. North Central Texas Council of Governments provided clients with a pamphlet on car care, along with a car care kit. The kit included everything but

Good Shepherd Catholic Community has always been an avid supporter of GRACE and its programs. From volunteering with us, to hosting GRACE events, we appreciate everything that they do. Every year in honor of Easter, Good Shepherd does something special, for many of the clients that comes through GRACE doors. Over the past month, Good Shepherd collected a total of 124 Easter baskets of all different shapes and sizes to clients, across our programs. Each baskets contains a variety of gifts for children of all ages to play with and have fun. As soon as we received the baskets, our staff did not waste any time giving out the baskets. Throughout the halls of client services were rows Easter baskets full of bright colors. These baskets brought joy to the clients, and even moved some tears. “The T.H families feel so blessed that the community cares for them and their

It has become a fixture in Southlake’s already stellar reputation for artistry and handsome urban culture. Art in the Square will showcase 150 of some of the nation’s top artists to benefit local charities supporting women, children and families. Tens of thousands of visitors flock to Southlake Town Square to view the curated artwork and fabulous entertainers that take the stage each of the three nights of Art in the Square. This fine art jubilee, which takes place from April 22-24, isn’t without your favorite festival food and beverages, and if quality family fun doesn’t get your attention—free admission might! The tremendous endeavor is led by Southlake Women’s Club, a highly-respected nonprofit in its own right with over 150 members and unrivaled community engagement. The club has been a pillar in the Southlake and surrounding community for three decades and raises funds for scholarships, grants and school supplies throughout the year. The club forms a vigorous

GRACE’s ability to offer a high degree of accountability and integrity is largely due to the tenure of the GRACE Board of Directors. The collective expertise of the GRACE Board is second to none, and GRACE is pleased to welcome two new community leaders to the slate: Bravis Brown, Kevin McNamara and Duff O’Dell. GRACE’s history of having outstanding Board Members dates back to the beginning of GRACE. Our Board Members have always served with loyalty, honor, and care for the mission of GRACE. We appreciate all of GRACE’s Board members from past to present for the work and love that they have given to the GRACE community. This year we have elected 3 new members to join our Board, and here they are. The resume of Duff O’Dell is endless. Grapevine Rotary Club, Former Women’s Division President, Grapevine Heritage Foundation and former President of Bay View Club of Grapevine

The GRACE “Angels Among Us “GALA will be held back at the Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas on November 5th. This is one of the community’s most highly respect events that has been around for nearly two decades and continuing to grow in popularity each year. All net proceeds fund programs and services for those in need who come to GRACE for help. The GRACE Gala is the agency’s largest annual fundraising event that has quickly gained the title of the premier black tie event in the region. This year, GRACE is proud to introduce this year’s Gala co-chairs, Sheila and Jason Ridley. The Ridley’s along with the Gala committee are dedicated to celebrating the community effort on helping our neighbors facing hardship. “This is the time of year where we go all out for everyone,” said Shonda Schaefer, GRACE Chief Executive Officer. “Our clients, families, sponsors, donors, volunteers,

With GRACE’s annual event Designer Bags and Bingo benefitting GRACE Transitional Housing a month away, we want to thank and recognize our host for the afternoon, Sam Pack’s Five Star Subaru of Grapevine. The team at Five Star Subaru has been a generous supporter of GRACE for many years. GRACE is a beneficiary of their Share the Love event, a nationwide program held by Subaru, during which a portion of each sale is designated by the dealership to the local charity or charities of their choice. The Five Star Subaru team has also donated their time by volunteering with us throughout the year including time in the GRACE Community Garden and at the GRACE Christmas Cottage. “At Sam Pack’s Five Star Subaru of Grapevine, our promise to the community can be seen in many different ways,” said Community Relations Coordinator, Jessica Bass. “We strive to support our local charities, service

For 14 years, Melissa Simpkins has been an essential part of the GRACE team. It pains us to see her leave, however, we are even more excited for the journey she is about to embark upon! Many who have met Melissa describe her as joyful and lighthearted. She can often times be found lending a listening ear to those who walk into her office, providing refreshment and wise counsel to all who seek her out. She always knows just what to say in every moment. She is an encouragement to everyone she encounters, and always goes the extra mile to make sure those around her feel comfortable and welcomed. One of the many things Melissa does for the staff is sending out messages throughout the week to remind each person the mission of GRACE, but also that we are all special and seen. And on more than one occasion, those

We have exciting news! GRACE’s Donation Station is looking to grow our family and we want you or someone you know to be a part of the GRACE team. Last year, we opened our new Donation Station located on Texan Trail. Our community supported our move by donating more items to our organization, which truly keep our operation running. The donations are then sorted by volunteers and delivered to our clients. What we have remaining is shipped to both of our GRACEful Buys resale stores. If you are looking for the perfect summer job or a little side hustle, GRACEful Buys or the GRACE Donation Station are great places to work. We have opportunities for full time, as well as part time, and you have the benefit of working at a job that serves and impacts the community for good! One of the positions we have open is a Warehouse

GRACE welcomes GRACEful Buys Grapevine Manager, Sandy Laquey to the family! Born and raised in Dallas, TX, Sandy grew up with a passion for helping people and the community around her. She volunteered throughout various organizations with her parents and brothers, serving for causes that deeply impacted the lives of people in North Texas. Her passions led her to graduating from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in education where she pursued a career in teaching. She soon landed in her career field teaching Chemistry and biology at Lamar High School in Arlington, TX.  Along with teaching in Arlington, she also taught in Dallas and in San Antonio alike, teaching for over a total of 35 years. After she retired from teaching, Sandy, decided to go back to her roots of volunteerism. She ran into GRACE through ads and word of mouth and attended a volunteer orientation

Left: Tiffany Young  |  Right: Bali Leffall Every college degree comes with it’s own challenges, but many would say nursing school is an entirely different beast. The sleepless nights, constant studying and clinicals and immense pressure are all byproducts of the degree nursing students must juggle with grace. Stepping into this field is learning an entirely different language. To know a nursing student during this process is to respect them. In recent years, nurses have been more vital than ever. It was March of last year when one of GRACE’s very own Transitional Housing clients, Tiffany Young, reached out to the housing managers and expressed her desire to become one herself. We jumped at the opportunity to support her dream, and the process ended up being more fruitful than any of us imagined. The idea of being a nurse was by no means new or spontaneous to Tiffany. “Taking care