Gracewood Mom Receives Much Needed Transportation
How Networking Business and Ministry Helps Others

    Vivian is a single mom with two children who is part of Gracewood's residential program. This program helps single moms get back on their feet when they find themselves without a place to live. Vivan and her children have lived at Gracewood for 18 months while she is pursuing her educational goals, which will lead to a life of self-sufficiency for her family. In December, Vivian was ready to begin her final semester of school, when through a series of traumatic events, she lost her only means of transportation. Without a car, Vivian would not be able to get herself or her children to school.
     When The Get Together became aware of this need, we sent it out to our network of business people who in turn, forwarded it to others. GT Board member, Roger Wernette received a response from Julian Martinez, owner of Bemer Preventive Maintenance (9201 Richmond). Within days, Gracewood staff members Debbie Rippstein and Kiki Carey were sitting in Julian's office answering questions about the type of car Vivian would need.

      Julian told these ladies that he would be calling them in a couple of days with a VIN number for a car for Vivian. "The question, naturally, looming in our minds was "how much" is this going to cost? When we asked, he replied "nothing." He went on to explain that when he first arrived in New York he was helped with transportation and it is his pleasure to do the same for others now in order to help them get on their feet. We were speechless.

     In one week's time Vivian was driving a shiny red '97 Mercury Tracer. She is overjoyed. God is so good! Thank you so much for hearing our need and in turn sharing it with the people you know who in turn felt led to meet it. Our God is truly awesome!" - Debbie Rippstein, Executive Director, Gracewood.