Mission
It is the vision of our organization to create a happy, healthy, and safe community living in prosperity with each other and hopeful for the future. We attain this vision through our mission of helping men and women transition back into the community; finding the freedom to discover their purpose and make a positive difference in the world. We have cast a wide net; helping our neighbors who are re-entering society from periods of incarceration, struggling with housing insecurity, and those fighting behavioral health or substance use disorders. By creating accessible health, socio-economic and community supports, our campus is strategically positioned to help these individuals achieve physical and mental well-being, safe and stable housing, meaningful purpose through education and employment, and the supportive social relationships and respect they need to survive and thrive. Our Primary Case Managers and Teams, including Peer Support Specialists, Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselors, Social Workers, and Psychiatrists are all dedicated to effecting these goals and reversing the plague of homelessness and substance use disorder that is afflicting our community.
History
March 2014: Place of Grace Tent Ministry opens in response to the burning down of “The Baker House;” the area’s only homeless shelter and soup kitchen for more than 20 years
November 2014: Building rented at 559 Airport Road and used as transitional housing for the poor, homeless and downtrodden.
November 2015: Ground-breaking for new Place of Grace built with donations from area businesses.
August 2018: Place of Grace obtains Rohanen Middle School from Richmond County and begins current behavioral health recovery and transition program.
Accomplishments, Achievements, and Impact
- 2024: Place of Grace becomes “Bridge to 100 Affiliate.” [1] A program piloted by former NC Representative Robin Hayes and current NC House Representative Wayne Sasser. The concept for this initiative is informed by Gary Nelson at the UNC Chapel Hill School of Social Work.
- 2023/2024: Food Bank of Central Eastern and North Carolina gives Place of Grace the “Partner Agency Appreciation Award” for support and effort to distribute 1,971,707 pounds of food equal to 1,643,089 meals served to our neighbors experiencing food insecurity.
- 2024: Place of Grace partners with Richmond Community College and opens on-site satellite learning center, offering various Adult Education classes including:
- High School Equivalency
- Computer Literacy
- Advanced Computer Literacy
- Financial Literacy
- Career Exploration and Preparedness
- 2024: Richmond Community College Awards and Certifications related to Place of Grace Partnership since program commencement:
- 46 total students enrolled
- 19 students currently enrolled
- 8 pursuing GED/HSE
- 11 pursuing other certificates
- 3 High School Equivalency graduations
- 4 students inducted into the National Adult Education Honor Society
- 2024: Place of Grace Clothing Closet, with the help of volunteers and residents, served 2,143 people in the community in need of clothing for their families.
- 2023: ANSI accredited ServSafe Certificate of Achievement awarded to Place of Grace Nutrition Director.
- 2020: Place of Grace wins “Best of the Rock” Community Impact Award, presented by Richmond County Chamber of Commerce.
- 2020: Place of Grace wins “Best of the Rock” Best Community Outreach Organization Award, presented by Richmond County Chamber of Commerce.
- 2019: Place of Grace wins “Best of the Rock” Best Non-Profit Award, presented by Richmond County Chamber of Commerce.
- 2019: Place of Grace wins “Best of the Rock” Community Impact Award, presented by Richmond County Chamber of Commerce.