Detroit Tigers recognize staff at Grace Centers of Hope
Detroit Tigers representatives, along with their mascot Paws, recently visited Grace Centers of Hope in Pontiac to recognize five staff members who went above and beyond during the COVID-19 shutdown.
Honorees received baseball bats signed by Al Kaline, the Hall of Fame outfielder known as “Mr. Tiger” who died earlier this year.
The five staff members recognized were:
• Gary Roberts, head of the transportation department, made sure all those served by Grace Centers had transportation to and from appointments, such as doctor visits and work.
• Terri Waltsgott, who leads the Women’s Kitchen, was responsible for feeding about 70 women and children three meals a day. She worked full- time plus during the shutdown to prepare, cook and serve those meals.
• Jager Carmos, who leads the Men’s Kitchen, was responsible for feeding about 65 men and staff three meals a day and supplies lunches for the children in Grace Centers’ daycare program every day. He worked full-time and then some during the shutdown to prepare, cook and serve those meals.
• Sheila Smith worked as a support staff member at Grace Centers’ Hands of Hope Daycare Center. She worked alongside the director five days a week to keep the daycare service up and running during the shutdown, cleaning and sanitizing classrooms each day. She changed diapers, prepared meals, took children outside for playtime, read stories and more.
• Joe Curtis, the Men’s Aftercare coordinator, worked nearly every day during the COVID shutdown to provide the support necessary for the men in Grace Centers’ Aftercare Program to continue to thrive and progress in their recovery. He also managed housing issues and helped men without cars go to the grocery store, pay phone bills, get to appointments and more.
Grace Centers of Hope is a faith-based nonprofit serving those afflicted by homelessness, addiction, and abuse in southeast Michigan. The organization provides help and hope to those in need without any government funding.
For more information, visit www.gracecentersofhope.org.