Global Relief Association for Crises & Emergencies (GRACE)

Volunteer Opportunities: Yes

History

Jon & Angie Sullivan, cofounded Global Relief Association for Crises & Emergencies, Inc. (GRACE) as a coalition of individuals and organizations collaborating to provide resources for families in need; specifically, through education  Together, they served in orphanages and impoverished communities around the world which broadened their perspective as they identified countless situations of human injustice, especially relative to children. Their travels to Thailand clarified their calling to eradicate vulnerabilities of poverty and illiteracy among children at great risk of being trafficked and exploited. They cofounded Global Relief Association for Crises & Emergencies, Inc. (GRACE) and established as a 501(c)3 charity nonprofit organization of America on October 4, 2012. The GRACE mission and vision took form as they began a child sponsorship program in 2013. They moved to Thailand in the Spring of 2016 to expand the program to include after school and day camp programs, adult enrichment classes, and more.  

Mission

GRACE exists to foster social change through strengthening families and eradicating the vulnerabilities of human trafficking and exploitation.

Vision

GRACE seeks to serve others through the use of family resource centers and education to empower families out of poverty and into a sustainable career. Since 2012, GRACE provides support in an encouraging atmosphere provides young adults, teens and children with the opportunity to overcome poverty and illiteracy. Family Resource Centers provide transportation to the facility, after school programs and day camp programs with homework assistance, tutoring, English language skills, problem solving games and fun effectively improve the students attendance and performance in school. Education helps to eradicate vulnerabilities for children at-risk of being trafficking. Educational support combined with nutritional and wellness support provide impoverished and illiterate families with the opportunity to break free of generational poverty. The provision of an encouraging atmosphere for homework assistance and tutoring increases the desire to learn. Children and young mothers (obtaining GEDs - graduate equivocal diplomas) gain confidence and hope of breaking through the chains of poverty and illiteracy. The next generation will impact their community as educated and self-sufficient leaders.