Grace Place: the name says it all.
How can we bring brighter futures to poor, at-risk children. One undisputed answer is education... especially education in an atmosphere of stability and caring.
Just 7 years ago, Grace Place began in the heart of Golden Gate City. It was the inspiration of five local Methodist churches. One of the churches was Cornerstone United Methodist. Consequently, the tie between Grace Place and Cornerstone is especially strong.
Located just west of affluent Naples-on-the-Bay, Golden Gate City houses many of the area's working poor. They are low income workers employed in our hospitals, restaurants, lawn care businesses, and hotels. Over 90% of these families do not speak English as their primary language. As a result, their children often have limited English and few educational resources.
At Grace Place, grace falls on the giver and the receiver.
The key to its success is the daily interaction with children and talented volunteers. And many volunteers have discovered talents in the presence of these enthusiastic children. They are sponges. You can bring them water.
Many choices exist for the volunteers. For example, the Food Pantry is open every Friday. You can help sort food or give out groceries. Or in the morning, the younger children might need you to read a story. After school is a prime time to help meet educational goals. In addition, many of these children have limited places to go before their parents come home from work. Grace Place is a safe, directed environment so valued by the children and their parents. It's just what is needed and more.
Cornerstone is very fortunate to have Rev Stephanie Munz Campbell, the Executive Director of Grace Place, as an active Deacon in our Church.
Feel free to contact the volunteer coordinator: Sheila Smyth 239-455-2707 Sheila@graceplacenaples.org
"ALMOST ANYTIME IS A GOOD TIME"
