The RCS Grace House is holding a celebration on Saturday, July 29, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. entitled "Ten Years of Grace" to celebrate ten years of service to homeless families. There will be food, drawings, a "trifles and treasures" rummage sale, carnival type games for children, and tours of the facility. Persons from the general public are invited to bring items for the sale and setup a table for a nominal fee of $5. Additionally, there will be a distribution of backpacks and school supplies for homeless and needy children. Admission to the anniversary sale is free with a nominal charge for food. Children and adults of all ages are invited to attend. Grace House is located at 1552 S. Myrtle Avenue in Clearwater.
Grace House is a program of RCS (Religious Community Services, Inc.) RCS is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to building a better community by feeding the hungry, helping homeless families return to self-sufficiency, and empowering survivors of domestic violence. RCS has been in existence for 38 years. RCS accomplishes its mission through programs at the RCS Food Bank, The Haven of RCS Domestic Violence Center, RCS Grace House and Stepping Stone, and the RCS Thrift Store.
RCS began housing the homeless in 1969 through a network of churches providing emergency shelter. This changed in 1973 when the city of Clearwater vacated mobile homes on Holt Avenue and RCS and 14 congregations paid rent to the city to occupy the property at a public housing facility. The current structure for Grace House was completed in April 1996 and is comprised of 14 concrete block apartments. It is through the generous activities of its partner congregations, numerous donors and benefactors, the city of Clearwater, and a number of grantors, that RCS has been able to continue its services.