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History

The story of Grace Unlimited starts with our founder and program director: Starkey.

Starkey is a recovering drug addict and alcoholic … clean and sober since 1989, by the Grace of God. Speaking of Grace, that’s how Starkey came up with the name of our organization… Grace Unlimited. After being in jail many, many times and to the State Penitentiary twice, she finally found experience, strength and hope and recovery from alcoholism in the 12-step program. After prison, continuing a lifestyle of recovery, Starkey opened her own home to women who were leaving prison and seeking a new way of life. They slept on Starkey’s couch while she fed them, loved them, and introduced them to a life of recovery and responsibility. Several of these very women who slept on Starkey’s couch years ago are now important volunteers with GU. In 2003, Starkey filed for 501 (3) c status on behalf of Grace Unlimited, and she dreamt of the day when an actual home could be made ready and more opportunities offered to women leaving prison.

You Gotta have Friends(or It Takes a Village)

In 2006, Kathleen Cook- Hunter, Co-Executive Director of Grace Unlimited, who has been involved with jail & prison work for over 19 years, contacted Starkey, asking about Starkey’s dream of having a transitional home for female ex-offenders. What was being done to open a safe, loving home?

Kathleen has seen many women over the years be released from prison, with many hopes and dreams but without tools to change their lives. Most go back to prison.

Kathleen was looking for a transitional home for a friend who had served nine years in Gatesville prison and was being considered for parole. Being involved as a volunteer for many years in this field, Kathleen realized that choices for a safe home that actually “loved women sober” and into health with actual recovery tools, life skills, and healthy guidelines were somewhat limited in Dallas.

When she suggested to Starkey that they get together and call some friends, a plan went into action and a dream started to become a reality.

Kathleen called Jacqueline Hartley with the idea that such a home could be established in Dallas, something they had discussed many times as they drove home from Gatesville Prison after bringing in 12-step meetings to the units.

Jacqueline did not hesitate to say she was in – all the way in. Together, Kathleen and Jacqueline made a decision to buy a house to use for Grace Unlimited.

Jacqueline has also been involved with the recovery community since 1987 and has actively volunteered with both adult and juvenile females in State and Federal institutions in California and Texas. In 2003, Jacqueline was named “Detention Center Volunteer of the year” by the Dallas County Juvenile Department.

Mix three women with passion, experience, love, lots of friends, with unlimited Grace, they get things done. The first goal was to lay out a plan and have a larger meeting. People in the recovery community were extremely supportive and still are today. We knew we were on the right track.

Finding our home

The next step was finding a house that could be turned into a home.

Options were limited when we considered renting: coming up with first, last month and landlords not being very open to a transitional home for female ex-offenders.

We needed:

* a safe neighborhood – a family neighborhood
* an ethnically diverse neighborhood
* a house big enough for six women
* proximity to transportation (downtown, mid cities, etc.)
* close to a community college (El Centro)
* close to Starkey, our program director
* front porch and a yard
* affordability

We also needed an investment that would not lose money in an area that would continue to develop.

Consequently, Grace Unlimited is located in North Oak Cliff. Jacqueline and Kathleen stepped out on faith, buying a house, which we were fortunate to find. All of us immediately agreed that 824 Melba was meant to be GU’s home.

Lots of work needed to be done. 824 Melba had been a boarding house previously, and we all were convinced that we wanted to offer women a safe, loving environment that they could call home. With no shortage of volunteers, or donations, or hard work, or laughter, and never with any doubts, GU took shape.

The journey gets real!

The Success of GU Residents

Our first resident, Pepper, who stayed with us six months left clean and sober and self supporting. Sarah was our second resident. Sarah is working as an apprentice for O&E supplies, learning to make orthotics and prosthetics. Sarah is taking classes at Northlake College. She has established relationships with her family and continues to reach out and help others.

Tammy, our third resident is working full time. Tammy has reunited with her family. She continues to grow. She is active in the recovery community.

Nancy and Bridget arrived in December 2007. We provided a safe and loving home for them. Both Nancy and Bridget are living clean and sober; actively involved in the recovery community. Nancy is reunited with her family and working full time.

Bridget graduated after living at Grace Unlimited for six months. She is continuing her education at El Centro College, working full time at a retail shop and has her own apartment.

Virginia, now living at Grace, has gotten her beautician's license and is working full time. Virginia just had her first visit with her daughters, she continues to thrive at Grace Unlimited. Theresa has just joined our family.

Once our residents are picked up from prison, they are bought new pajamas, personal intimate items and introduced to AA or NA, and a sponsor in recovery. They receive appointments for counseling and health care. We help them get identification and a driver’s license.

Grace Unlimited offers classes at the house, such as computer use, financial principles, and life skill instruction, the residents attend workshops and seminars in the area; they become active in the community.

Our residents have made a positive impact in our neighborhood. After a storm knocked down trees in Oak Cliff, the GU residents were the first to help the neighbors clean up the trees and get electricity restored. Unused donations such as food are given to the neighbors along with clothing that is not sold at garage sales. Garage sales greatly benefit our neighbors as this gives many families the opportunity to buy children’s clothing, household items, etc.

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