It has been a long-time dream of Gracenter to increase the number of women we could serve. The San Francisco Women’s Rehabilitation Foundation, Inc. also known as Stepping Stone, awarded us with a half-million dollar capital grant in November 2018. The grant covers capital expenses only. It does not support operations such as food, staff salaries, or program costs. Therefore, we will use the money to build an additional four bedrooms, add another bathroom and widen our narrow driveway. With these four additional bedrooms, we will be able to serve 17 women at a time. We presently have space for only 13 women.

Gracenter and Stepping Stone

Stepping Stone was founded in 1962. It was the oldest alcohol and drug recovery program for women in Northern California. During the past 55 years, more than 1,000 women resided at Stepping Stone. Due to unforeseen difficulties, the Board of Directors of the San Francisco Women’s Rehabilitation Foundation, Inc. (Stepping Stone) decided to dissolve its operations and distribute their assets to several qualified nonprofits.

We are so grateful to Terry Hennessy, President of the Stepping Stone Board, for seeking out Good Shepherd Gracenter through the internet. She invited us to submit a proposal and advocated for us to receive the grant.

Sadly, she developed lung complications after her hip surgery and died on October 26, 2018. This tremendous woman was so instrumental in helping Gracenter grow in its mission of helping women break free from addiction to create a hopeful future for themselves and others. We give thanks for Terry and praise and gratitude to God for this tremendous gift!