Grace Mission Episcopal Church has served the downtown, French Town and transient communities of Tallahassee for twenty-five years. Our primary function is to provide a space where people can find help, healing and hope as they experience traumatic life experiences. Our aim is to welcome them into our community, walk alongside them as they slowly rebuild their lives, and help them find the resources which will enable them to grow to their full potential.
Practical help we offer free of charge includes:
1. regular meals, food pantry,
2. clothing, bedding, household items
3. hot showers; assistance in locating other needed services
4. connecting people to other needed services in this area
5. An after school program to help children from low income/single parent homes to receive additional tutoring, socio-emotional support, and encouragement.
Healing support includes:
1. Spiritual care and nourishment
2. Weekly visits from social workers of Ability 1st and Big Bend Cares (HIV testing/counseling)
3. Monthly Leon Co Health Department hub for vaccinations
4. Addiction recovery support groups
How we promote hope for the future:
Grace Mission is an intentional community, where people are known and called by name, and can build relationships with the staff, faithful volunteers, and with one another. (Per the Kearney Center: to prevent people returning to the shelter after they have a place of their own, churches and other groups can provide alternate community spots where people can gather.)
The population served ranges from newborns to the elderly, but our primary focus is on adults from 18-senior citizens, and the children in our after school program and their families. All of those we serve are living under the poverty line, some are living on the streets, others are sharing very limited accommodation, others are living at Kearney Center or other shelters. Many of those we serve have spent time incarcerated, many are addicts, all have traumatic life experiences to share. We deal with people trying to escape violence and abuse. We make full use of our social work partners (see above) who use Grace Mission as a hub to meet people, and will see those coming to us on a weekly basis.
Special Placement Information:
Agency is accepting BSW Full-time, MSW 1st year students, MSW 2nd year and Advanced Standing Clinical students, Clinical, Part-time BSW, Part-time MSW. We are within a mile of the FSU campus. Transportation may be reimbursed if required. A stipend can be made available if required. No liability insurance is needed, as our agency is covered. All volunteers are required to take a full background check and undergo the full diocesan safeguarding training. The agency hours are Sundays, 2-6pm; Tuesday-Friday 9-6pm (specific hours vary depending on what is planned for each day).