GRACEWOOD
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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