CLEARWATER - RCS Grace House is now extending its hours in order to better serve homeless families in Pinellas County. Effective October 1, 2006, the new hours are Monday through Friday 9 a.m.-9 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Grace House is located at 1552 S. Myrtle Avenue in Clearwater. Since there is a process in entering into the program, all those wising to get information should call 727-446-5964.
Grace House is a program of RCS, Religious Community Services, Inc. Religious Community Services, Inc. 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 yrs. 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 as 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.