GRACE'S PLACE

A garland of individual homes for the working
single Mother and her children

Grace's Place provides affordable housing to single working Mother's and her children, by working with their budget, helping them to make their monthly rent payment, pay their utilities and have money for their food and clothing. As the homes are found and working with Real Estate or home owners willing to rent . Garlands of Grace will help to furnish the home with furniture, beds (which are always new) bedding, dishes, whatever is need to help this family to have a "hand up not a hand out."

We thank God for all the donations that is given to make a difference in the lives of the working Mother and we pray that Christ will always be the Center of their homes as we mentor and pray with them and they grow in Christ.

Would you too, consider praying with us as we reach our community for Christ. Donations can be made through the donation space for Grace's Place, may God bless you as you give.

Grace's Place will serve the community by being an extended hand to the working single Mother and her children in the Sevier County area.

Grace's Place Helps by:

• Being available in our office to listen
• Offering hope to each one who comes
• Letting the working Mom know we are here to help
• Working to get decent and affordable housing for the single mother
• Training in classes for: Parenting
                                       Money Management
                                       Food Preparation
                                       Cleaning of Home & Family
                                       Counseling for the mother and or children
• Evaluation for additional job training:
                                        GED's
                                        Scholarships for Walter State
                                        Computer Classes
• Life Coaches from the women of Garlands of Grace & Volunteers
• Head Start Program for the underage school children
• Family Advocate with Social Workers background

Funding is done by: 

• Private Individuals
• Churches
• Businesses
• Grants

All donations to Garlands of Grace "Grace's Place"  are for a non-profit 501(C)(3)

Board of Directors:

• Dr. Shirley Price - owner of Foxtrot B & B
• Kathy Daniels - Retired school teacher
• ElizabethAnne Mercer ~ Pittman Center Bus Driver/Single Mother
• Additional People will be placed on board

Lost Hope

She came with expectations to the beautiful mountains, rushing waters, that flow into quiet, calming streams. She saw the glorious valleys where the great mountains dip and rise again to touch the halos of blue smoke that comes and goes like the breathe that she breathes. She had joy in being in a place where she could feed her children, clothe and house them decently.  There must be good paying jobs in this place where millions of visitors come each year, enjoying their vacations. Spending, sightseeing and enjoying  the same mountains she came to.

She did find a job, cleaning cabins, motel rooms, waiting tables in the restaurants where the visitors came and stayed for a little while.
She didn't come and stay for a little while, she just stayed. Her money was never enough and the places to live where not to be found, not the decent places.  Each day she worked from early morning until her shift was done and she counted her money and hoped that she had made enough to pay the rent that week.

She had dreamed great dreams, she had seen her children in a decent home, nothing fancy, she didn't need fancy, but she did want clean. No bugs to fight off her children's food or their faces as the slept, but she couldn't find decent housing and her choices became very limited.  As she looked and inquired, what she found was what was called "weekly rentals", her only hope for affordable housing on her wages, so with her two small children she moved into this place at the bottom of the beautiful mountains.

Cement drives, now bring her and her children to their front door of the single room with two beds. Some old curtains left behind by the person before her or the owner who must think that she and her children aren't worth better, hang at the dirty windows, this has now become her nightmare. The cement drive has now become her children's playground, no trees or grass for them to climb or lay in.

She rises each morning and leaves to work another day for this shabby place she calls home.  Carrying her laundry to wash for the children and herself to try to give them hope. Food she cooks on a hotplate she has been allowed to buy and use, the small amount of food she can put into a refrigerator that was made for a dorm room now holds food for her children.
She is now existing, she no longer dreams or hopes, life is like that here at the bottom of the mountains. Tired and lonely she watches her children play and she prays.

Despair is an ugly word and not to be used around children. Hope, love, kindness and help are words of encouragement. In the great mountains are people who love and hope and help but they didn't know or understand that the mother and child needed them.

Now as they see the despair and realize they can help, they will, they are that kind of people.  She didn't ask because she had lost hope, but together we can all make a difference, helping her regain her hope in this mountain arena.

There is a outreach called "Grace's Place" in Gatlinburg, TN on E. Parkway or Hwy. 321. come and join with us as we help the working mother's and their children regain new hopes and dreams. Giving of time, prayer  or financially. It is all needed.

Letters to Grace's Place

The scripture on Graces Place from Ephesians 2:8 says it all . . . "For by grace you have been saved through faith and that not of your selves, it is the gift of God" -- Praise God for the many gifts He has given us here on earth -- you and Byron and your heart to serve God as His ambassadors -- truly a gift from Abba Daddy.  Keep up the good work, God is about to reward you, just like he did Ruth in the field because she was serving her mother-in-law, when she least expected it, blessings were dropped at her feet & provision from God was made manifest. --Blessings, Pastor Bob & Phyllis

Its a beautiful home, such a blessing to those in need.  Should we expect less from our King?  Absolutely not!  We have to remember we are daughters (princesses) of the King and of course He will undoubtedly provide with the best.  Thanks for sharing.....God bless and hope all is well.  Love you much! --Juliana