In 2012, Christy Betz, a volunteer with Remerge, had a simple but profound idea: “What if I rallied my friends and friends-of-friends to respond directly to the needs of my friends in the Remerge community?” Rather than fundraising for a broad social challenge, such as ending homelessness, Christy started to ask her friends to help a particular friend of hers with an immediate, solvable need. One by one, needs of the Remerge community were being met, while another community was becoming more familiar with the stories and challenges facing those in less-resourced environments than their own. From this spark, Giving Grace was born, and to this day personal connection and personal response remain the center-piece of Giving Grace. Last year, the project benefited 379 people financially including a family living in their car who were then able to find permanent housing and pay the first month's rent and deposit. A single father needed help with housing and was able to move his son out of foster care into their new home, thanks to Giving Grace. Another neighbor, a single mom depended on her car for transportation to work (a location not served by public transportation). Giving Grace found her a vehicle so she could continue providing for her family.
This year, Christy hopes that number climbs to 500.
The approach is simple:
- Financial or in-kind assistance for community members facing acute emergency needs.
- A support and sustainability plan is created with the community member to help move them beyond the need.
- Network members and/or staff walk alongside the community member to offer support and encouragement.
Giving Grace's purpose is to provide support for individuals in our communities with acute needs, along with support for ongoing community programs, while inviting the larger Atlanta community to participate in the work of reconciliation. Remerge.org
REMERGE facilitates collaborative opportunities that accelerate belonging & flourishing in local communities. They are particularly attentive to relational connections, place-making and culture. The non-profit's RECONNECT, RETHINK, REIMAGINE strategy is implemented through a variety of programs offered by our Community Building Studio, Sweet Auburn Friends, The Sweet Auburn Community Museum, the Giving Grace Network, the Community of Reconcilers, and Color ATL.
Venmo: givinggrace12345
Rather than fundraising for a broad social challenge, such as ending homelessness, Christy started to ask her friends to help a particular friend of hers with an immediate, solvable need.
