Welcome Deb Ebeling, GRACE’s new Volunteer and Seasonal Programs Coordinator!

GRACE is thrilled to announce that Deb Ebeling has taken on a new role at GRACE: Volunteer and Seasonal Programs Coordinator! Deb will play a vital role in coordinating all volunteer activities for GRACE, including the GRACE Feed Our Kids program and the beloved GRACE Christmas Cottage.

Deb’s connection to GRACE began in November 2023, when she started volunteering several times a week in the Food Pantry. “I quickly learned about Christmas Cottage and found myself there almost daily,” Deb shared. “I loved both experiences!”

Growing up, Deb dreamed of becoming a mom and a lawyer. After considering the time and cost of law school, she earned her paralegal certificate, married, and joyfully embraced motherhood. “I don’t think I could have imagined what God had in store for me!” she reflected.

Describing herself as outgoing, kind, and blessed, Deb’s passion for helping others shines through. Last year, she stepped in to assist GRACE with the Feed Our Kids program. That experience only solidified her desire to join GRACE long-term. “The people!” Deb exclaimed when describing her favorite aspect of working at GRACE. “Not only the amazing staff that I get to see every day, but the community of volunteers! I am blown away by the generosity of our community.”

GRACE’s mission of being a steward of God’s blessings resonates deeply with Deb. “I stand by the belief that we are blessed to be a blessing. And, being blessed can mean just having one thing to share and graciously giving it away.”

We are delighted to welcome Deb into this role and look forward to the incredible contributions she will make to our volunteer programs and seasonal initiatives. Her enthusiasm, compassion, and dedication to serving others make her a perfect fit for this vital role.

If you’d like to get in touch with her about upcoming volunteer opportunities, please email Volunteer@GRACEGrapevine.org.

GRACE’s new online volunteer hub is LIVE! Late last year, we partnered with VOLY, a comprehensive volunteer management platform, to create a dedicated website designed to streamline the volunteer experience. Our goal: a one-stop shop where volunteers can easily submit applications, explore opportunities, and track their valuable hours.

After months of hard work and fine-tuning, our new website is up and running! We are committed to ensuring the site is accessible and user-friendly for everyone.

If you have not already joined us on VOLY, we encourage you to sign up today—we’ll be there to guide you through the process! GRACE deeply values our volunteers. Your contributions are essential to our mission of serving individuals and families in our community. From sorting donations at Donation Station and stocking shelves at the pantry, to assisting our master gardeners in the community garden and keeping our GRACEful Buys stores in Grapevine and Euless looking their best, your hard work makes a real difference.

Creating a VOLY account is quick and easy, and it unlocks a world of benefits! You’ll receive personalized weekly emails with updates on special opportunities and volunteer schedules at all our locations.

Ready to get started? Simply visit our website here and follow the instructions. We can’t wait to connect with you on VOLY!

We’re so excited to connect with all our GRACE volunteers on our new online platform! Whether you’re a longtime supporter or just joining us, please take a moment to register on our website. Our staff is here to guide you through the process. We’re continually working to improve the system and value your feedback as we make this transition. Your contributions are invaluable to GRACE, and we appreciate your patience and support. Reach out with any questions or comments to Volunteer@GRACEGrapevine.org.

Frequently Asked Questions about GRACE’s New Volunteer Hub

We’re excited for everyone to utilize GRACE’s new volunteer website and understand you might have some questions. Here are answers to some common queries:

Q: I am a longtime volunteer/have already submitted an application and received the Orientation packet. Do I still need to create an account?

A: Yes! To ensure everyone is properly connected with opportunities and receives important updates, all volunteers—current and new—need to create an account and resubmit their application on the new platform. The process is quick and easy!

Q: I’ve already submitted and been approved for a background check. Do I need to submit another?

A: If your background check was approved between October 2023 and September 2024, you do not need to resubmit it. We will manually approve it in the new system. Please remember that GRACE policy requires annual background checks for all volunteers 18 or older who work with our clients and children.

Q: What Volunteer Type should I select?

A: Here’s a quick guide to help you choose the right Volunteer Type:

General Volunteer: This is perfect for volunteers 18+ who enjoy working in our resale stores or Food Pantry.

Individuals working with Clients: If you’re 18+ and interested in opportunities that involve direct client interaction (e.g., assisting with checkout at the Food Pantry or Christmas Cottage shopping), select this option. This requires a background check.

Clinic Volunteer: If you have specialized training/licenses and are 18+, and wish to volunteer in the Community Clinic, choose this option.

Youth Volunteer (Minor): Volunteers under 18 should select this option. Parental permission is required, and volunteers under 16 must volunteer with a parent or guardian.

Q: I’m completing Community Service Restitution (CSR) hours with GRACE. Where do I sign up?

A: We have a dedicated site for our CSR volunteers! You’ll need to create an account and resubmit your application there. If you completed the CSR application process between October 2023 and September 2024, you won’t need to re-upload your court paperwork or background check—we’ll take care of it!

General Volunteer Site: https://gracegrapevine.voly.org/index.html

CSR Volunteer Site: https://csrgracegrapevine.voly.org/index.html

You can also find more information on the GRACE Volunteer page: https://www.gracegrapevine.org/volunteer/

Get ready to ante up for GRACE! The 7th Annual GRACE Poker Tournament is almost here, and we’re thrilled to spotlight the incredible community partners who are making this event possible!

A huge round of applause to our King of Hearts sponsor, BoomerJack’s! A longtime GRACE supporter, BoomerJack’s has been a Metroplex favorite since 2002, serving up everything from mouthwatering burgers and crispy wings to fresh salads. Their generous support has consistently benefited GRACE, and we couldn’t be more grateful! Learn more about BoomerJack’s at https://boomerjacks.com/.

We also extend our deepest gratitude to the Joanne E. “Jody” Matthews Estate, and executor Melissa Moss, for their generous King of Hearts sponsorship!

Thank you to Laura and Johnny Campanello, our Jack of Clubs sponsor, for their continued and generous support of GRACE!

This year’s dinner is going to be a culinary delight, thanks to our fantastic dinner sponsor, Ferah Tex Med Kitchen! With locations in Garland and Southlake, Ferah Tex-Med Kitchen offers a unique fusion of Mediterranean and American cuisine. We’re especially excited to have Ferah Catering and Events bring their magic to our guests!

Complementing the delicious meal will be a selection of fine wines, courtesy of our wine sponsor, Southlake’s own Classic Wine and Storage! A special thank you to Clare Gillette, General Manager and Sommelier, who will be on hand to share her expertise and pour some amazing options for our attendees.

GRACE is incredibly thankful for the support of each and every one of our sponsors. Join us at Park Place Land Rover DFW on Saturday, February 1st, for an unforgettable evening! There’s still time to get in on the action – for sponsorship opportunities and tickets, contact Meredith Martin at mmartin@GRACEGrapevine.org.

Visit the 2025 GRACE Poker Tournament Facebook page!

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

·         1^st 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.

I am in tears right now as I write this. This morning, I had the incredible opportunity to select items for my daughters from the Christmas Cottage, and the experience was absolutely amazing. There were so many wonderful items to choose from, and I know my girls will absolutely love them.

I have never been in a situation like this before, unable to provide gifts for my girls for Christmas, so this moment means more to me than words can express. I truly wanted to take a moment to thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your help and support.

Thank you for being a blessing in our lives.

Sincerely, Ms. Grace*

2024 was particularly devastating for Ms. Grace and was filled with unimaginable loss with the murder of her brother and the passing of her grandmother. As she was living with her grandmother and depending on her for support as well, her passing left a financial burden as all responsibility fell to her, Ms. Grace and her twin girls were left facing financial instability and grief hand in hand. 

As a single mother, Ms. Grace approached GRACE completely overwhelmed. During her visit, her care manager outlined various assistance options available through GRACE, including immediate food support, access to the Christmas Cottage, and help to alleviate some of her immediate financial burdens.

Currently, Ms. Grace and her family remain under GRACE’s care as her care manager continues to work with her. Together, we remain hopeful and committed to providing stability and support to this resilient client and her children during their time of need.

It is our sincerest prayer that you know the impact of your generosity, for us, there is nothing as reassuring and affirming as a thank you directly from the household of just one of over 5,000 individual clients that you helped GRACE serve during the 2024 holiday season.

To each of you who offer help and support to our community through GRACE, thank you and we wish you many blessings in 2025!

*the name of this client has been changed by GRACE

Due to continued inclement weather conditions, all GRACE locations will remain CLOSED on Friday, January 10th. Assistance will be provided at the Client Services building Saturday, January 11th between 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. to accommodate for closures.

To stay up to date on all future changes, please visit our social media pages. Updates will be posted on our Facebook and Instagram.

For emergency assistance or food, please call 817.602.1204.

Thank you for your patience, and we are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause. Stay safe and warm!