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Our mission is to provide a safe, welcoming environment for vulnerable youth experiencing homelessness of all sexualities and genders, providing nourishment, healthy relationships, and hope for the future.
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Every Monday and Thursday at 6:00 pm, Grace Place opens its doors to youth experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity of all sexualities and genders between the ages of 13 and 24 years old. Youth Night is an evening of food, mentorship, skills building, and access to direct resources with interactive volunteers and staff in a supportive, affirming space that allows youth to be who they are.
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We provide NOURISHMENT.
We do more than provide hot meals. When youth come to our table, they know we're eating like a family: seated together, literally passing the peas around, and sharing the meal and the moment.
And like any family, the best bonding happens at our dinner table. We share stories, catch up on life events or what happened that day, tell jokes, or talk serious issues. It is a time for youth not only to get fed, but take comfort in a feeling of belonging, whether it is through lively conversation or a quiet moment to feel safe and provided for. |
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We provide CONNECTION.
We want youth to see Grace Place as a safe, LGBTQ+ and culturally affirming space, and that starts with mentorship. Volunteers who represent our community’s diversity and embody our mission are the invaluable core of Grace Place.
Our direct mentors and staff commit to creating long-lasting, healthy relationships with our youth. Through consistent connections, they foster a positive environment and encourage self advocacy and success-oriented thinking. All volunteers that interact with our youth contribute to showing them what supportive adult relationships look like. |
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We provide GROWTH.
We always encourage our youth to look and act forward. Recognizing the unique disadvantages, barriers, and discrimination they face, we use a model of self advocacy to work with them in accessing the resources they need to create sustainable change and opportunity in their lives.
We also bring those resources directly to our youth through partnerships with other local organizations and service providers, connecting them to programs that aid in access to permanent housing, stable employment, mental and physical healthcare, educational opportunities, and more. |
