On June 10, 2010, Montrose Grace Place (MGP) opened its doors in what was then Grace Lutheran Church in the heart of Montrose. With a handful of volunteers and support from the local community, MGP sought to provide youth experiencing homelessness of all sexualities and genders with food, resources, and fellowship. Serving family-style meals with youth and volunteers sitting side by side, our founders wanted the space they created to feel different from other outreach programs. They wanted the youth they served to see MGP as a welcoming and LGBTQ+ affirming place that embraced who they were in every sense. When they were greeted at the door, they were being welcomed as family to a table they could call their own.
Twelve years and many, many meals later, our name may have changed, but our mission hasn't -- only expanded. Now operating out of Kindred Montrose, Grace Place welcomes more youth and serve more meals each week than ever before. Our ever-growing community of volunteers, partners, donors, and supporters have allowed Grace Place to expand our capacity to care for our family. From providing financial support and clothes to life-changing resources and fun activities, we will always strive to give more to those that need it most.
MGP was incorporated as a separate non-profit 501(c)3 organization in 2009. Grace Place is not affiliated with any religion and does not offer religious or spiritual services.
Twelve years and many, many meals later, our name may have changed, but our mission hasn't -- only expanded. Now operating out of Kindred Montrose, Grace Place welcomes more youth and serve more meals each week than ever before. Our ever-growing community of volunteers, partners, donors, and supporters have allowed Grace Place to expand our capacity to care for our family. From providing financial support and clothes to life-changing resources and fun activities, we will always strive to give more to those that need it most.
MGP was incorporated as a separate non-profit 501(c)3 organization in 2009. Grace Place is not affiliated with any religion and does not offer religious or spiritual services.
OUR MISSION
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.
OUR VISION
We envision a world where youth of all sexualities and genders have a safe space to exist and a future without judgement.
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.
OUR VISION
We envision a world where youth of all sexualities and genders have a safe space to exist and a future without judgement.
Grace Place Staff
Courtney Sellers (she/her), Executive Director
A native Houstonian, Courtney started as a Direct Mentor and Treasurer with Grace Place in 2015. In 2017, she took over as Grace Place Executive Director, helping to add a second night of services, increase resources, and make Grace Place more accessible for more LGBTQ+ youth. Courtney is passionate about amplifying the voices of youth experiencing homelessness and the specific intersectional needs of Grace Place youth who are victims of racism, sexism, homophobia, and transphobia. She loves to spend time with her daughter and their dog, exploring Houston’s many thrift shops, and making a lot of noise about public transportation in Houston.
A native Houstonian, Courtney started as a Direct Mentor and Treasurer with Grace Place in 2015. In 2017, she took over as Grace Place Executive Director, helping to add a second night of services, increase resources, and make Grace Place more accessible for more LGBTQ+ youth. Courtney is passionate about amplifying the voices of youth experiencing homelessness and the specific intersectional needs of Grace Place youth who are victims of racism, sexism, homophobia, and transphobia. She loves to spend time with her daughter and their dog, exploring Houston’s many thrift shops, and making a lot of noise about public transportation in Houston.
Becca Saenz (she/her), Advocacy and Outreach Manager
Having relocated to Houston to earn her Master's degree in Social work, Becca first joined Grace Place as a student intern in 2021 and fell in love with its mission and community. She was able to join her passions for social policy and community empowerment. She loves to travel, spend time with her friends and family, and talk all things Tex-Mex with everyone she meets. She is dedicated to bringing power and confidence to the youth at Grace Place in order to help them take their place at the table where all important decisions about their world are being made, as well as bringing community members and organizations together to aid the youth in fulfilling their vision.
Having relocated to Houston to earn her Master's degree in Social work, Becca first joined Grace Place as a student intern in 2021 and fell in love with its mission and community. She was able to join her passions for social policy and community empowerment. She loves to travel, spend time with her friends and family, and talk all things Tex-Mex with everyone she meets. She is dedicated to bringing power and confidence to the youth at Grace Place in order to help them take their place at the table where all important decisions about their world are being made, as well as bringing community members and organizations together to aid the youth in fulfilling their vision.
Board of Directors
Natalie Ferguson, President (she/her)
Natalie has been involved with Grace Place since 2014, starting as a Direct Mentor before joining the board. Her work with Grace Place has focused on the intersectional issues facing Black home-insecure LGBTQ+ youth and providing more resources to address their specific needs. A Houston native with 15 years of non-profit professional and volunteer experience, she enjoys applying her creative skills and marketing background to local community outreach and advocacy. She loves traveling with her partner, being a foodie, fostering kittens, and horror movies. |
Zachary McKenzie, Vice President (he/him)
Zach is the Marketing and Communications Manager at Be A Champion, Inc. and a freelance writer for several Houston publications including OutSmart Magazine and Chron.com. With a passion for working with people with different abilities and at-risk youth, Zach has applied his educational background in kinesiology with a specialization in disability studies to his professional and volunteer opportunities. In his spare time, Zach volunteers as a big brother with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Houston, rides bikes, plays tennis, and enjoys all of the incredible food Houston has to offer. |
Tracey Burnett-Greenup, Secretary (she/her)
Tracey is the Chief Program Officer for Family Houston and a Licensed Professional Counselor. Tracey has previous non-profit, volunteer, and board experience. When not working or volunteering, she enjoys spending time with her wonderful wife Sarah and her three dogs. As a family, they love to travel, camp, hike, and just enjoy nature. |
Ari Rosen, Treasurer (they/them)
Ari joined the board in August of 2021 after learning more about Grace Place's mission and volunteering. Ari brings direct experience working with young people in a variety of settings and over five years of fundraising and development experience. They are passionate about ensuring that young people have the resources, support, and love they need to thrive regardless of their background. Ari enjoys exploring Houston's diverse restaurant scene with their partner, going for neighborhood walks, listening to their favorite podcasts, and playing with their three and five year old girls. |
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Onjheney Warren (they/them)
Onjheney serves as a Manager of College Success for EMERGE Fellowship in Houston, providing resources and support for college students in their first year and beyond. Prior to that, Onjheney worked as a College Transition Specialist for three years at KIPP Through College. Onjheney is passionate about working with first generation college students and students of color, and strives to provide equitable opportunities for their academic and career success. In their free time, Onjheney loves spending time with family and friends, going to as many concerts as possible, and cuddling their two cats Ahsoka and Mando. |
Press & Media
Articles
- "Montrose Grace Place Hosts Haus of Gingerbread," Outsmart, December 2022
- "Houston’s Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church makes $50,000 donation to Montrose Grace Place," Houston Chronicle, May 2022
- "Montrose Grace Place provides haven for LGBTQ youth experiencing homelessness", Houston Chronicle, January 2022
- "Meet Montrose Grace Place’s Newest Staff Member," OutSmart, January 2022
- "Community mourns loss of third trans woman murdered in Texas this year," Houston Chronicle, August 2019
- "After 10 Years, Montrose Grace Place Adds 2nd Night for Homeless LGBTQ Youth," OutSmart, December 2018
- "Food. Friends. Hope. Montrose Grace Place offers all three.," OutSmart, May 2010
- "Eliminating Homelessness Takes a Village" by Fran Watson, former MGP Board President, Outsmart Magazine September 2015
- "Falling Through the Cracks: My Struggle to Survive as a Homeless Youth," by Kristopher Sharp, former MGP Board Member, Huffington Post, April 2015
