www.gracehousems.org

On Thursday, October 6 at the Old Capitol Inn in Jackson, hundreds turned out to Rock the Red in support of Grace House. Guests enjoyed a cocktail hour, a 4-course

dinner prepared by Chef Bruce Cain, and both live and silent auctions. Entertainment was provided by featured performer, James Martin and The Capital City Stage Band, local singer/songwriter, Stevie Cain and the Raphael Semmes Band. Crowd pleaser, Marshall Ramsey served as Master of Ceremonies and kept the event moving, along with Board President, Philip Grisham and Executive Director, Catherine Sullivan, who presented the 2016 Grace Awards. Receiving Grace Awards were, Richard Macsherry, Rev. Molly MacWade, Marcia and Bob Weaver, Northminster Baptist Church, St. Andrew’s Cathedral, St. Dominic’s and St. James Episcopal Church. The featured art work by local artist, Tammy Cook, the moving testimony by former Grace House resident, Phillip Morgan and the surprise contribution by Grace Award recipient, Richard Macsherry were highlights of the evening. Grace House would like to thank the Rock the Red committee volunteers, corporate sponsors, board members, and staff who worked together to make our first “Rock the Red” signature event a huge success.

2016 Grace Awards Presentedat first Rock the Red Benefit

Dinner and Auction

GRACE NOTESSUMMER/FALL 2016

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Marshall Ramsey, emcee

Rev. Jamie McElroy and Rev. Ann McLemore/St. James Episcopal Church

Rev. Chuck Poole, Northminster Baptist Church

Rev. Jennifer Deaton/St. Andrew’s Cathedral

St. Dominic’s receives Grace Award from Board President, Philip GrishamBob and Marcia Weaver

Richard Macsherry and his daughter Rev. Molly MacWade Featured entertainer, James Martin Dr. Bob and Olivia Thompson and Anne Riley

Dear friends,

We are in the middle of the holiday season, a time when we acknowledge our abundance, give

thanks for what we have, and celebrate the gifts we have received. We celebrate you, Grace House’s friends and supporters, for your many gifts. The Grace House Board of Directors, the staff, and most importantly our clients and residents extend our deepest gratitude for all that your gifts have made possible this year. In 2016, your support allowed our outreach efforts to flourish. Our food pantry provided over 250 food boxes to local, low income families living with or affected by HIV who experienced episodic periods of greater need. Night after night, and day after day, Grace House’s outreach staff member was able to meet people where they were, both literally and emotionally, to address their most immediate needs, and to allow trust to grow. Thanks to all of you, we completed a 734 square foot addition to the main house, which houses a commercial grade kitchen, a laundry room, and a guest bathroom. We partnered with Engaged Recovery to provide GED classes on campus for clients and other community members. As the number of people we serve has increased, we have doubled our transportation services. Following our mission, Grace House provided housing and supportive services to 230 individuals. Last but not least, your gifts of time and talent brought joy and sharing, improved landscapes, and much needed structural renovations. We are looking forward to even more success in 2017!

Living Our Mission…..Celebrating Success

Commodore’s life was over. The 33-year-old drug dealer and addict lay in a coma at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, the result of a heart attack caused by lack of treatment for a diagnosis of HIV.

But a praying and believing grandmother kept vigil at his bedside. He recov-ered from the coma and his health began to improve over the following months. In February 2006, Commodore was referred to Grace House. Here, he received the support, stability, acceptance and unconditional love to begin a new life – a life of health and the support to manage his disease. Today, he continues to live at Grace House. Drug free. Healthy. But now, he is on the giving end – providing acceptance and support to those who once felt as hopeless and desperate as he once felt.

From the Executive Director

CATHERINE SULLIVAN

Grace House resident, Commodore Barnes (left) and Executive Director, Catherine Sullivan (right), are interviewed by WAPT news anchor and reporter, Ryan Houston

New Kitchen and Dining Room Addition Dedication

Sharing meals together is now possible at Grace House. A new 734 square foot addition to the main house, which houses a commercial grade kitchen, dining room, a laundry room and quest bathroom was dedicated in January 2016.

Instrumental in making all of this happen is long time Grace House supporter, Mr. Richard Macsherry. Pops, as he is lovingly known by those who know him, is the father of Grace House board member, Reverend, Molly MacWade.

p. 601.353.1038 f. 601.969.6049 www.gracehousems.org

Richard Macsherry shares a meal with members of the Grace House club.

Rev. Molly MacWade and husband Darden celebrate with residents of Grace House.

Community Partners From the President

PHILIP GRISHAM

Ashton William Heath of Boy Scout Troop 18 at First Presbyterian Church in Jackson performed his Eagle Scout project at Grace House by creating a new Memorial Garden and 2 wooden benches for our residents.

SummerHouse donates furnishings and accessories for our Grace House residents.

Native Mississippian and current New Yorker, Allen Payne bikes across the State of Iowa in support of Grace House

Seeds of Grace: Unit Practice Council of the Nursing Units from 2 North and 3 South at UMMC raise funds for Grace House.

Comcast Volunteers donate toiletries and cleaning supplies for Grace House residents.

Trustmark volunteers, paint and make needed electrical repairs at 3 of our houses.

Miskelly and Tempur-Pedic donate new mattresses to Grace House for Women

Greetings!

As the Holiday season approaches, it is only fitting that those of us who rou-tinely work and give of our time and tal-

ents to the Mission of Grace House Services offer our sincere gratitude to all who have given so freely to the sustainability of this enormous community service. The support for Rock the Red was absolutely tremendous. Your devotion through consistent giving helps to ensure that the services provided will continue for many years to come. “Giving is the beginning of grace.” –Rachel Wojnarowski I do not believe that the naming of Grace House was a process without substantial thought, prayer and meditation. Grace House is a place of giving and gratitude. Bill Giovan-netti writes. “The English language joins the club with the words gratitude and grateful, preserving the Latin word gratia, at the core. Gratia means grace in Latin just as charis means grace in Greek. To be grateful is to recognize yourself as having been filled with grace. Even our words retain the distant memories of the linkage between thanksgiving and grace.” 4 Links Between Grace and Thanksgiving –max-grace.com On behalf of the residents (who are the most grateful people I know), the staff, and the directors, it is my distinct honor to wish each of you a Happy Thanksgiving, and to Thank You for being a member of the Community of Grace!

Sincerely,Philip Grisham, President

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Campbell’s Bakery delivers donated sweets for our residents

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

OFFICERS

Philip Grisham, President

Allen Barnes, Vice President

Kenosha Robinson, Secretary

James Martin, Treasurer

DIRECTORS

Melverta Bender

Dr. Ben Brock

Jeff Davis

Annette Hitt

Reverend Molly MacWade

Phillip Morgan

Catherine Sullivan, Executive

Director

OUR MISSIONTo serve homeless Mississippians living with and affected by HIV/AIDS, by providing and maintaining housing in which clients may live with dignity, safety, and care; by providing supportive services that meet the physical health, mental health, educational, employment, and spiritual needs of individual clients thereby empowering each to achieve the highest quality and most independent life possible; and, by providing education and awareness to the public.

Grace House, Inc.P.O. Box 68924

Jackson, MS 39286-8924

Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDJackson, MS

Permit No. 134

Volunteer Spotlight SISTER DOROTHY ANN KUNDINGER

Our volunteer spotlight shines on Sister Dorothy Ann Kundinger. Sister Dorothy has been with Grace House from day one! She

was part of a group of amazing folks who had a vision and made Grace House a reality 21 years ago. In the early days she and Executive Director, Bob McGowan carried the load: caring for our residents, taking them to doctor appointments, sitting with them in the hospital, supporting family members and always holding their hands when their earthly journey had ended. Today she is still a huge part of our daily life at Grace House. She does all our grocery shopping, runs our food pantry, provides transportation for our residents to and from doctor appointments and stays with them if they are hospitalized. We honor Sister Dorothy Ann, for all you have done and continue to do for Grace House and all those you have cared for in our community. We love you!

p. 601.353.1038 f. 601.969.6049 www.gracehousems.org