For those who don't know Door to Grace, or those who want to know more about us, this post is for you. All others, feel free to keep reading too.... :)
Who is Door to Grace?
We are a faith based non-profit organization found in Portland, OR that is committed to providing restorative care for sexually exploited youth through the provision of physical, mental, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual needs according to each individual.
What does Door to Grace do?
- Our organization provides long term and short term respite homes through out the greater Portland area that are Christian families trained and processed through Door to Grace leadership.
- We currently have a major host of volunteers that will step up beside the girls and their families to provide wrap around care with mentoring, tutoring, arts & adventures, host family support, and life skills.
When will the programs start?
The lovely thing about working with a "baby organization" is that things are constantly changing--time, processes, policies, programs etc. Currently, Door to Grace is shooting to launch our first host home in....get ready for it....September! Woohoo! For those that have been walking this road with the organization, you understand this excitement. For those who haven't, I'm sure you should still be excited :) .
Other things that are currently on the books-
- We are hoping to open a day home around the same timeline as launching the host homes. This day home will serve as a facility for programs to take place, (ie: tutoring, mentoring, and arts) as well as give Door to Grace the opportunity to build stronger relationships with the girls when they come hang out at the house. This will also be the place that our offices will move. Can I get another "woohoo"?!
- Training for another round of volunteers will be taking place this fall. Bring on the masses!
Why Portland?
Portland is currently the second largest network for child trafficking in the United States. Reasons for this:
- The I-5 Track provides easy access for pimps to travel and traffick girls under the radar.
- There is a high percentage of homeless and runaway youth in Oregon.
- Many of the seasonal farms rely on migrant workers who will work for any wage. At times these "farmers" take the opportunity to exploit their workers.
How can you pray?
I am so thankful for each one of you who plays a part in my life, whether by reading this blog, praying for this organization, or being an active part of Door to Grace and my life. If there's anything that you learn from fighting for and loving lives that you have yet to encounter or see transformed, it's that our lives are empty without people to walk along side it with. I count myself as one of the most blessed girls on earth through the constant words of encouragement and support that I have received through this new adventure, and times leading up to now. For those who have asked for prayer requests, thank you. You are some of the greatest advocates for these girls and our staff!
- First and foremost, there are several kiddos that Door to Grace has contact with who are in constant need of prayer. For confidentiality reasons, I cannot share specifics, but I ask that you pray for their safety, choices, and the encounters that they have with the Door to Grace staff, our volunteers, or any of our partner organizations. Their lives count, they are special, and they have a purpose in life; praying that they embrace this truth and never let it go....."Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?" Matthew 6:26
- Door to Grace is looking for a "Day Home" as mentioned above. Pray that one is found quickly and meets all of our needs.
- Host Home families are in training!! HOORAY! Pray for each of their hearts and minds to be prepared, and for the staff training them.
- For the administrative side of things: Please pray for our sanity and strength. As experienced, it is super easy to get bogged down and loose sight of the reason we are working. It's all the process of development- YES!
- Also, pray for the ongoing unity of our staff, volunteers, and families!
Last, but not least, by any means, I have a question for you.....
How can I keep you informed?
In other words, what would y'all like to know? Let me know, and I am happy to write it!
Blessings to you all for reading this entire post. I'm so thankful that you are on this earth!
