Montrose Grace Place celebrated its one-year anniversary on June 10, 2011. As we continue to find new ways to improve the lives of our homeless youth population in the Montrose through MGP, let’s look back at its history. Spring 2008 Grace ELC members and friends study, Building for Effective Mission. Afterward, the group resolves to study community needs and how Grace may serve them.
July, 2008 Mission Development Task Force is created to uncover the work Grace was to do in our community; later renamed “Imagine Grace”.
January, 2009 from Lura Groen’s Pastor’s Report for 2008: The “Imagine Grace” team and I have been dreaming together of more ways that Grace can concretely live our mission. We are committed to meeting the actual needs of the community, around an issue that generates excitement in our congregation, and connects with the skills and talents already present.
February 22, 2009 GELC congregational meeting, in which Imagine Grace members present five possible mission ventures. The homeless youth proposal receives majority of votes. From the proposal: Our idea is to provide a meal for homeless youth on a weekly, bi-weekly or monthly basis…We hope that our support, acceptance and caring will in some way be healing to them.
May, 2009 Mission Implementation Team begins weekly meetings to create what will become “Montrose Grace Place”.
October 30, 2009 MGP becomes incorporated in the state of Texas
December, 2009 MGP receives its first $5,000 donation
Spring 2010 Dinners are held to educate our community about MGP; attendees include area resource providers for homeless, local lgbt groups, and religious communities
April 6, 2010 first meeting of MGP Board of Directors. Pr. Lura Groen serves as interim Executive Director
May 15 & 22, 2010 Direct volunteers, who will interact most closely with the homeless youth at MGP, are trained
June 10, 2010 MGP opens it doors with its first “Youth Night”
September, 2010 MGP reaches its attendance goal of twenty youth
January 15, 2011 nine additional direct volunteers are trained
February 2011 MGP receives 501(c)3 non-profit status from the I.R.S.; also receives its first grant (E.L.C.A. Hunger Grant), for $3,000
May 1, 2011 GELC approves 2011 slate of candidates for MGP Board; the board grows from seven to ten members
May 7, 2011 Work begins to create a 3-5-year plan for MGP, goals include expanding programs and services and fund-raising
Thanks to everyone in church and community who makes MGP possible. The candle on MGP’s birthday cake is for YOU! -- Hal, MGP Board Member
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