Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Butterflies, blooms boost ‘Grace’
Farm provides for growth
Saving Grace’s 15th annual Butterflies & Blooms benefit boasted a sold out event March 28 at the Rogers Convention Center. The luncheon is the nonprofit organization’s largest fundraiser and is the source of approximately one-third of its budget each year. More than 1,400 luncheon guests helped raise some $365,000 toward their goal of $457,000, Kamber Henson, development director tells me.
Saving Grace, a Christ-centered nonprofit organization, works with young women 18 to 25 who have “aged out” of foster care or group homes. “Residents receive safe housing, educational assistance, career guidance, personal coaching and professional counseling while encouraging girls to continue their education with an educational incentive program,” according to the group’s website. The nonprofit organization is 100% privately supported through donations and grants, with no federal funding.
More than 230 young women have called Saving Grace home since opening their doors 15 years ago in Poplar House at the Center for Nonprofits in Rogers. Demand has exceeded capacity from the beginning, growing to approximately more than 150 young women applying annually for the program that until this year could only accommodate only 12 at a time.
Saving Grace leaders purchased the 50-acre Grace Farms in 2020 in Centerton and completed phase I in 2021, which included the renovation and opening of Grace Cottage, allowing them to move all operations to Centerton and serve 50 young women at a time in their multi-faceted program.
Fundraising for Phase II, the renovation of Grace House, continues and will provide room for
20 more young women. The agricultural setting presents additional avenues for therapeutic activities such as the equine program, the “Hen Den” and vegetable and flower gardens to tend to and enjoy.
“‘Grace’ gets the experience of starting small and watching growth occur around her. In the process, growth and healing happens within her, too,” states a news release.
“I had the privilege of calling Saving Grace my home and my safe haven,” Autumn Lilly, Saving Grace alumna told luncheon guests. “I came to Saving Grace very lost. I was confused about who I was and what I was worth. What I encountered when I got there challenged all those doubts and ultimately gave me the foundation to be who I am today.”
Lilly ended her remarks expressing gratitude to supporters, saying that throughout her stay at Saving Grace, “Every life skills session, every dinner with friends, the emotional support, the financial gifts — as each of you walked with me, I experienced God. And I honor you for the role you play now, day in and day out being Jesus to the young ladies of Saving Grace.”
Platinum sponsors for Butterflies & Blooms were The Coca-Cola Company; Greenhaw Development — Neil and Lauren Greenhaw; and Sam’s Furniture. Other B&B boosters included Brandi Mallard Team; Clear View Enterprises; Grand Savings Bank; Premier Dermatology; United Federal Credit Union; Chad and Ashley Goss; Dible & Woods; Ellingson Contracting; Lost Bridge Community Church; The Methodist Foundation for Arkansas; Peggy Malatesta; and Ryan Hansen. Columnist Carin Schoppmeyer can be reached by email at cschoppmeyer@nwaonline.com.