Volunteers and workers of Grace & Mercy have reason to celebrate each time someone walks through its doors, and later returns to society ready to impact others and affect positive change.
But the faith-based transitional recovery home in Hopkinsville for women coming out of incarceration, homelessness or an unmitigated crisis has always needed a financial engine to back its philanthropic efforts.
Friday afternoon was a new chapter, and brought cause for even more celebration inside the organization, when Director Joanna Mack and her staff held a ribbon cutting for its new Thrift Store location and fudge & Hebrews coffee shop “Gracefully Sweet.”
Now located at 2412 Fort Campbell Boulevard after several years at 290 Burley Avenue, Mack said Friday’s friendly celebration only further affirmed Grace & Mercy’s mission to change the lives of women who have simply lost their way.
Mack noted Grace & Mercy’s rehabilitation and recovery program isn’t easy, as it often challenges the physical, psychological and personal hurdles often in front of self-actualization. She added this sometimes requires deep, professional discussions centered around potential childhood traumas or experiences with domestic violence.
Addictive behaviors with criminal activity, alcohol, drugs, food and sex are recognized symptoms of internalized struggles, Mack said, and targeting those concerns is all part of Grace & Mercy’s six-phase process.
One of the more exciting parts of this process for Grace & Mercy is the autonomy ahead. Prior to this move, the not-for-profit was renting at prior locations — unable to truly create a slush fund for administrative costs.
Furthermore, donations have only surged with each passing year, and Mack revealed there is a semi-trailer and a barn full of furniture, books, clothing, electronics, housewares and more ready to hit the Thrift Store floor once inventory wanes.
Owning their property, Mack said, brings permanency — and helps translate a message of ownership to the women they rehabilitate.
Grace & Mercy has already assisted more than 100 women find a different direction, and more than 50 have graduated from its rigorous program. Mack said 17 women are currently in the house, with many of them helping in the thrift store and new sweets shoppe.
The thrift store is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9-to-6, and on Wednesday and Saturday from 9-to-5. The coffee shoppe is open Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9-to-6, and Wednesday and Saturday from 9-to-5.
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