How Grace's Place Came to Be:
At Grace’s Place, the mission is deeply rooted in love, compassion, and the unwavering belief that we can end the cycle of abuse within our lifetimes. Janet Grace created this safe haven with the hope that every woman and child affected by domestic violence will have the opportunity to heal, rebuild, and thrive. Her vision is clear: a world where no one lives in fear or pain, and where love and dignity can flourish.
Guided by a heart full of empathy and a determination to break generational trauma, Grace’s Place offers more than just support; it creates a community where survivors are embraced, empowered, and nurtured. Through long-term mentorship and transformative programs, each person is given the tools to reclaim their life, step into their power, and create a brighter, safer future for themselves and their families.
At Grace’s Place, we believe that every step we take toward healing is a step toward a world without violence. Grace’s Place stands as a beacon of hope, knowing that through love, strength, and shared humanity, we can break the cycle and see the day when abuse no longer exists.
This mission isn’t just a goal—it’s a promise. A promise that, together, we will create lasting, meaningful change, ensuring that the future holds only peace, hope, and grace for generations to come.
Our Plan
Phased Implementation
- Freedom Beyond Abuse virtual program (Established September 2023)
- Flagship site for Grace’s Place residential program
- Development of Grace’s Place training materials and replication plan incorporating lessons learned from phases one and two
- The world
How it Spreads
- There are many people and organizations that want to participate in this type of sustainable solution
- We provide the training and materials to duplicate these programs
- The programs are designed to improve with every iteration based on feedback loops and follow up actions which allow the programs to improve outcomes and adapt to unique cultural needs
Board of Directors
Janet Grace Nelson – Chairman of the Board, Founder
Janet Grace is a passionate leader who founded Grace’s Place Foundation in 2020. As a Domestic Violence advocate & teacher, she saw a deep need for long lasting empowerment programs to help them feel a strong sense of themselves, so they never go back. She has been a servant for God since childhood, feeding the homeless in Chicago, then in Los Angeles. She has served as a team leader on numerous Mission trips around the world. Some of the organizations she has served with are Horizons International, (serving orphans of AIDS in Africa, 2006-2016), a supporter of the Unstoppable Foundation (building schools in Africa), City of Children (orphanage in Ensenada, Mexico, 2010-present) and Pachamama Alliance and the Jungle Mamas (saving the rainforest and empowering safe birth practices in Ecuador, 2018)
Janet Grace is also an ordained Minister serving God, Love and Truth wherever she is called and to grow this mission with God at the helm. She is passionate about helping people to live their dreams, and live their Legacy of Love.
Janet Grace is a Spiritual Life Coach, Teacher, TedX Speaker & Author, Sacred Retreat Leader & Philanthropist as an Ambassador of Love for humanity.
Laurie Halverson – Secretary
Laurie brings over 30 years of experience in advertising, account and project management to the Board of Directors. Laurie changed her career focus in midlife to study the healing arts and kinesiology to move in a more spiritual direction. She is currently the owner of Inner Guided Life coaching and a Senior Team Lead for LifeGuides™. Through her work as a coach she helps people to heal and clear mental and emotional blocks held in the body, mind and spirit. She holds a BS in Business Marketing and is a certified Higher Guidance Life Coach™.
Debra Lauesen – Treasurer
Debra brings over 30 years of corporate financial experience to the Board of Directors with management positions in a variety of organizations ranging from mid-size to Fortune 100. Since her retirement she is focused on the three G’s; grandchildren, gardening and giving back. Her financial guidance to Grace’s Place is a gift.
Kathryn Larson
Kathryn has decades of experience in production and distribution of many products including custom jewelry, aromatherapy and nutritional products. Kathryn’s expertise in the areas of health and personal care product development has led her to launch her current company Body Soothers™. Her passion for helping people overcome addiction, her focus on health and well-being and her training in DV advocacy bring value to the board and the women we serve.
Advisory Council
Dr. Kathie Mathis – Executive Advisor
With over 25 years of administrative experience, Dr. Mathis has been responsible for administration, board development, staff development, public relations, funding development, program development, and volunteer development. She is CEO of California Cognitive Behavioral Institute and is a Doctor of Psychology and Divinity, Domestic Violence Advocate, Certified Batterers Facilitator, Certified Anger Management Facilitator, Nationally Certified Psychologist, Diplomate of the American Psychotherapy Association, Certified Laughter Coach, Certified Sex Trafficking Counselor/trainer, Certified Parenting Instructor/facilitator, Certified Pairs Facilitator for adults and teens, Certified Sex Offender Counselor, Certified Sex Addiction Counselor, Certified Sociopathic Type Relationship Facilitator/trainer, and a Certified Emotional Addiction Specialist. She is the past president of the California Association of Anger Management Providers and current Director for the National Women’s Coalition Against Violence and Exploitation in So. California.
Linda Theriault – Paralegal
I am a victim of domestic violence and a 9th grade dropout, as a way to escape I ran away and chose drugs & alcohol and was homeless. I was able to turn my life around and in 1991 I went back to school and became a certified Paralegal. My calling is to be the highest version of me and to assist Women in need to help empower them to rise above their current situations with compassion and to mentor them on the path to self sufficiency.
As an advocate, I have been able to give legal aid and emotional support to women and children with all kinds of backgrounds and financial situations for a variety of legal problems, including family disputes, welfare and health benefits, poverty law issues such as landlord/tenant disputes, disability support and family benefits payments. I have always done pro bono family law legal help for woman in my community
I am a Mother of 3 boys. I also had custody of my Nephew who was born deaf and a Son with Cerebral Palsy. Through the process of raising my boys along with 4 foster kids I learned to navigate the complicated public school system for children with physical and learning disabilities and to help them succeed. I have shown other parents of children with disabilities how to navigate our school systems.
Volunteering in Orange County, Ca:
* Laura’s House -House Mother
* House Mom for women who gave birth in jail and moved to a community halfway house
* Foster Mom to 4 children and a mentor to 2 boys going from foster care to adoption
* Volunteer for Orangewood Children and Family Center mentoring children
* Thru Banc of California teaching disadvantaged youth the banking system
