Grace House: A Place of Support, Stability, and Grace for Children in Foster Care
Grace in Every Step
Grace House is committed to aiding children as they come into custody, providing them with age-appropriate necessities and a supportive environment. We aim to be a beacon of hope and stability during their transition into foster care.
Bridging The Gaps to Grace
Grace House was born out of a project from the Lawrence County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition TBI/TADEC funded DEC program, created to support children and families during the COVID-19 pandemic. The program, Front Porch Fun Packs, provided essential items such as snacks, hygiene products, puzzles, and games to families in need. This initiative also allowed School Resource Officers to check on the well-being of children offering an olive branch of grace and support .
After the pandemic, the program evolved into the DCS Backpack Response Team, which provides age-specific hygiene items, clothing, basic necessities to children entering foster care, and aiding caseworkers in the moment. That is when we noticed Lawrence County has some of the highest percentage numbers of children in foster care in the South-Central Region ,and started turning our wheels where we could possibly help.
The LCSAP Board, comprising professionals from various fields, agreed to pilot a transition home program for children aged 0-18. The vision of Grace House is “to provide resources and grace to children, families, and DCS.” Its mission is “to aid children as they come into custody with age-specific needs through a multifaceted approach.”
Since 2024, Grace House has become its own 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, no longer operating under the LCSAP Coalition’s non-profit status through their TADEC Program.
Grace House provides a comfortable, home-like setting for up to six children at a time. Children are accompanied by a DCS case worker and sometimes a second DCS staff person. Vetted volunteers and sitter services support children and DCS employees throughout their stay.
In its first year, Grace House hosted 100 children, with lengths of stay ranging from one night to three months. The organization also provides clothing, food, and supplies to foster families, adoptive families, next-of-kinship placements, and others.
One of the unique aspects of Grace House is its commitment to reunification, education for the children, and case-by-case approaches. The organization maintains a close relationship with DCS, YSO office, lawyers, learns about situations where its help can make a difference and mentorship for the youth that walk through the doors.
The future of Grace House hopes to bring the purchase of a new home with more space for the children they serve, especially a yard.
Get Involved. Make a Difference.
Whether you want to volunteer, donate, or learn more about how Grace House supports children in need, we’d love to hear from you. Reach out today and be part of something life-changing.
Dinners Served through Meal Train
Each meal provided brings comfort and nourishment to children and families during challenging transitions, reinforcing the sense of care and community at Grace House.
Visitors Hosted
Each visitor represents a child given a safe, supportive space during a critical time in their life, ensuring they feel valued and cared for at Grace House.