About Us
Our Mission
The GRACE Project works within our community to support and enhance the social and emotional wellness of those in need. We strive to give courage to the discouraged and empower children, families, school, and community organizations.
We embrace and strive to practice the philosophy of the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu: “Do your little bit of good where you are. It’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.”
Guiding Beliefs
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Resiliency is a lifelong process and resiliency skills can be taught.
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Mutually respectful relationships build healthy, optimistic and resilient cultures.
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Flexibility and creativity are essential elements for sustaining a respectful and resilient culture.
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All stakeholders in a community have value and the potential to contribute to the community.
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With effective preparation, people in a community can navigate challenges and changes.
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With respectful dialogue, challenging people can contribute to a group or culture.
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When diverse people are included in respectful groups, anything is possible.
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Small, focused projects can make a big difference to members of a resilient organization.
Our History
The GRACE Project became a 501-C3 non-profit in 2014. For several years before that, GRACE existed as a group of volunteers - with time and talent donated by a small but energetic cadre of retired educators. As a non-profit, we began to seek funding from community partners to broaden and sustain opportunities within the community to gather groups together, with emphasis on building Resiliency Skills.
We are especially grateful to the Austin-Bailey Health and Wellness Foundation, Arts in Stark, and The Women’s Fund (Stark County Foundation) for funding our initiatives. In addition, the following organizations have provided spaces for GRACE programs and projects: Heartbeats to the City, Christ Presbyterian Church, Stark County Re-Entry Court, Canton Harbor High School, and Yoga Central.
The diverse experiences, knowledge and talents of our Board of Directors and Advisors have expanded GRACE projects into a broader scope of available trainings and presentations that focus on Resilience focused leadership.
Meet the Executive Board
President/Co-Founder
Christine Haymond
Educator | Author and Columnist | Trauma and Resiliency Consultant | Franklin B. Walter Outstanding Special Educator
Christine Haymond currently works for the Stark County Educational Service Center as a consultant, trainer and resiliency coach with CARE Team and the Trauma and Resiliency Education Collaborative.
Project Advisor
J. David Daniels
Executive Director | Healthcare Advisor | Nurse Executive (ret.)
J. David Daniels is the Executive Assistant for The HELMS Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides Art Therapy services to the Mahoning Valley Region. He was a nurse executive for over 30 years having a wide variety of responsibilities and experiences.
Executive Director / Co-Founder
Dr. Martha Daniels
Educator | Kent State Faculty | Peer Mentor | Reading Specialist
Working with students first in K-12 public education and now as full-time faculty for Kent State University, Dr. Marty Daniels has 48 years of educational experience working with at-risk and first-generation students.
Meet Our Advisors and Consultants
Trauma Expert / Consultant
Dr. Margaret DeLillo-Storey
Licensed Clinical Counselor | Leadership Coach | Retired United States Army Officer and Combat War Veteran
Dr. Margaret DeLillo-Storey is a Licensed Clinical Counselor/Supervisor currently working in the Perry Local School System in Stark County, Ohio.
Treasurer / Financial Consultant
Carol Gravilla
Financial Administrator | Church Treasurer | Youth Advocate
Carol has served as a trusted administrator for the Ladies' Auxiliary Fund and treasurer of her church for over 20 years. She has extensive experience working with youth in schools and church youth groups.
Art Consultant / Illustrator
Tamara Johnson
Art Educator | Artist/Illustrator | Life Long Learner
Tamara Sue Johnson, M.S. in Ed. (Tami) was an Art Teacher for Elementary and High School students for thirty two years. Her original, poignant artwork is used throughout GRACE Project educational materials.
