Sacred Places Fall 2011 | Page 13

The project created a 2,500-square-foot, five-examroom facility complete with a small pharmacy and waiting room. Today the clinic serves more than 3,500 patients yearly and maintains partnerships with area universities and other community organizations to provide Agape patients with primary care, specialty care, social services, and community health events such as mammography screenings. The value of services provided by the clinic now exceeds $500,000 a year. Grace also hosts the Open Door Preschool and a legal clinic, and provides space for Alley’s House, an organization that empowers teen mothers and their children to achieve independence through support services, education, and mentoring. The $25,000 gift for Grace will go toward the church’s current capital campaign. According to Reverend Reedy, “When the announcement of Partners for Sacred Places’ gift was first made, I looked out to behold a uniform smile on all those faces [of the congregation] and to hear a thunderous applause from their grateful hands! The gift…affirms a congregation whose missions provide over $4,000,000 in services to the community each year.” Although the donors would like to remain anonymous, the overall message is clear: Oak Lawn and Grace are making a real difference in the lives of their community and people are taking notice. Grace United Methodist Church in Dallas, TX, will receive a grant of $25,000 from Partners for Sacred Places, thanks to anonymous donors who recognize the important role that the church plays in its community. Sacred Places • Fall 2011 • 12