GRACEWOOD
G
racewood observed its tenth anniversary in 2011, offering proof that dreams can come true for single mothers and children in the Greater Houston Area — in bigger and better ways than ever before. In the four years since I came to Gracewood, we have grown from one cottage in Southwest Houston to four cottages in two locations. We have doubled the number of moms and children we serve and tripled the days of care we offer! It is amazing what God can do, isn’t it? But we know He is just getting started at Gracewood.
2011 Annual Report • www.ChildrenAtHeartMinistries.org
We’ve broken ground on a new residential cottage on our Elmview Campus in the Spring Branch area of Northwest Houston. The need to serve single mothers and children is so great that we’ve already had people ask when we can bring our ministry to other areas of the city.
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What started as a dream in 2001 is today a reality, thanks to God’s timing and God’s leadership. He has brought the resources to help us grow just when we needed them the most, enabling us to build partnerships with businesses, churches, volunteer
Gracewood Leadership: Don Forrester - President Debbie Rippstein - Executive Director
Debbie Rippstein, Executive Director
groups and individuals who are committed to improving the lives of families. But to really understand Gracewood, you have to get beyond the numbers, to spend time with single moms like Rachel (who you can read about here) and children like Charlie, who can’t wait to greet every visitor with a firm handshake and show them the playroom in his cottage. These are moms who were once on the verge of homelessness, who may have been living paycheck-topaycheck, who worried constantly about their children. Today, thanks to Gracewood and the people who make it possible, they have packed away their worries. Instead, they are focused on a future that is brighter than ever. On behalf of the single mothers, children and staff at Gracewood, we thank you for your continued prayers and support.
Debbie Rippstein
Gracewood Board of Trustees Larry Bertrand, Chair - Houston Steve Adell - Missouri City Cathy Edwards - Houston Becky Guajardo - Katy Ann Owen - Kingwood
Gracewood 1617 Elmview Houston, TX 77080 (713) 988-9757 phone info@gracewood.org www.gracewood.org
RACHEL’S PLAN B
R
achel Bromley was watching her dreams fall apart before her eyes. Fortunately, she and her 4 and 6-year-old daughters found Gracewood. While Rachel’s life and work experience were vast, she still did not have a degree, which limited her job opportunities. “Gracewood has given me time to take a breath, process my divorce and figure out what to do next,” she said.
In just a few short months, Rachel proved herself to be a highly motivated single mother, willing to work as many jobs as possible to provide for her family. But now, thanks to Gracewood, she doesn’t have to.
“My ex-husband and I have made peace with each other and we are successfully learning to co-parent our girls. I only want to help other couples find the same peace and understanding we have been able to find,” said Rachel. And peaceful is the perfect description for Rachel’s youngest daughter, Isabelle, who celebrated her fifth birthday opening presents and eating cake in the midst of women and children who have quickly earned the title of friends at Gracewood. Although Gracewood was not part of their original plan, Rachel and her girls are being given an opportunity to start over. She will not be working three part-time jobs just to put food on the table. Instead, Rachel has earned the opportunity to do what she loves with a degree she is passionate about so that she can give her girls the life she always hoped for.
2011 Annual Report • www.ChildrenAtHeartMinistries.org
She is finishing her degree in anthropology at the University of Houston, with plans to pursue a Master’s in counseling. She is also working toward certification as a family life educator, hoping to help divorcing couples split more amicably and keep their children’s best interests as top priority.
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GRACEWOOD
2011 MINISTRY SUMMARY FAMILY CARE Total Served
67
Mothers Served
24
Children Served
43
Total Days of Care Average Length of Stay (in months)
13,764 8
Average Age of Child (in years)
7.6
Average Age of Mom (in years)
35
Racial Heritage of Clients: Black - 54% | Caucasian - 25% | Hispanic - 21% Individuals Receiving Information/Referral Services
264
Applications for Placement
83
Family Life Education/Skills Training Hours
37
Individual Therapy Hours Group Therapy Hours
221 73
After Care/Community Case Management Clients Served
286
Contact Hours
318
After Care/Charitable Assistance Clients Served
230
Contact Hours
79
2011 Annual Report • www.ChildrenAtHeartMinistries.org
2011 MINISTRY TOTAL
6
Total Served
583
Counseling Hours
304
GRACEWOOD
SOWING SEEDS OF HOPE
2011 Operating Statement UNAUDITED YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2011
Revenues Individual Gifts
$304,135
29%
Church Gifts
68,950
7%
Texas Baptists Cooperative Program
43,625
4%
Foundations & Corporate Gifts
107,802
10%
Children At Heart Foundation
414,955
40%
Other Revenues
105,402
10%
$1,044,869
100.0%
756,937
90%
88,263
10%
0
0%
$845,200
100.0%
TOTAL
Expenses Family Care Management & General* Fundraising* TOTAL
Revenues Individual Gifts - 29% Church Gifts - 7% Texas Baptists Cooperative Program - 4% Foundations & Corporate Gifts - 10% Children At Heart Foundation - 40%
Expenses Family Care - 90% Management & General - 10% Fundraising - 0% *The Children At Heart Foundation provides funding for all Fundraising and Management & General Expenses, allowing 100 percent of current donations to support direct program services to children and families.
2011 Annual Report • www.ChildrenAtHeartMinistries.org
Other Revenues - 10%
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