We recently had a client who was just divorced and off drugs (having been raised in state custody), but who was trying to improve his life. He had enrolled in an online college program and was shedding old friends and trying to move on.

The volunteer GraceWorker who met with him offered food and other assistance, but also took the time to find a Celebrate Recovery program for him, as well as free math tutoring and free computer classes. She says, “He was beside himself happy!”

He told her, “I just thought I was stuck where I was and could never get out. But now I see that I can do better.”

“I am SO happy I got to meet with him,” our GraceWorker said later.

What a blessing for both our client and our volunteer.

Carolyn Kalil-Polenzani’s daughter, Katie, had her friends bring food donations instead of gifts for her 13th birthday, and house manager Vicki Matthews brought the food to GraceWorks this week.

Many people will benefit from your generosity, Katie!

At GraceWorks, we tell many stories of the ways we affect and are affected by the people we serve – our clients. But today, the story I share is about how I’ve been affected by someone with whom I serve.

Volunteers serve as GraceWorkers, meeting one on one with our guests in Client Services and helping them with food, clothing, rent, utilities, and prayer. One of our loyal GraceWorkers has been having health issues. In fact, she has cancer. She has shared her struggle with us at prayer time over the last year or so.

Recently, she shared that her doctor had told her that the cancer was growing and that there was nothing he could do about it. And you know what she said next?

“I am in God’s hands, and I’m going to live every day to the fullest!”

Wow. What an attitude. What if we all approached life that way? Would we try harder to spend some quality time with our families? And would we stop long enough to thank God for the beautiful sunset? And would we be kinder to the people we come in contact with at the store or in traffic?

Her words and attitude have really made me take a hard look at my life.

How do you live every day to the fullest?

Christmas Lights Help Raise Money For Local Charity.

Turkey Trot 5K becomes GraceWorks golden goose.

65,000 light display draws crowds, donations to GraceWorks

We are thrilled with the donations of gifts for upcoming Manger program, as well as over $2,500 in gift cards, cash and checks. Thank you for getting us off to a good start again this year!

Please see below for video of the grand entrance and photos of the event.

Mid TN Harley Owners Group

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5K Run/Walk begins at 8 am and Kids’ Fun Run begins at 9 am on the campus of D1, just south of the Cool Springs Galleria.

We were able to help a family get their electricity turned back on (their bill was over $1000!). Through a series of conversations, we were able to work out a plan for them.

We helped facilitate a fresh start for a client, who will be receiving a grant to help fund a trip across country to start a new life in California.

And another family will be able to avoid eviction because we were able to help pay their overdue rent.

It is amazing to see how God works!

We have volunteers of all ages and skills levels, on a regular basis, but we’ve seen an increase lately in the number of young people volunteering. Many area schools are now include volunteering as part of the learning process for students, and some of our local families who home-school volunteer as a family.

These student groups have helped us recently with sorting food, sorting and pricing toys for the thrift store, and many other tasks. Thank you for supporting GraceWorks!

LEAD Academy

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