The Heart Behind Grace’s Place
At Grace’s Place, our mission is rooted in love, compassion, and the belief that every woman who has left abuse deserves the tools, support, and community to rebuild her life with strength and dignity.
Leaving an abusive relationship is a brave and life-changing step, but the journey does not end there. For many survivors, the hardest part comes afterward. Finding the strength, support, and resources to rebuild a life from the ground up can feel overwhelming. Too often, women leave a shelter only to face isolation, uncertainty, and the challenge of starting over alone.
Grace’s Place was created to change that. Founder Janet Grace built these programs with one clear purpose: to support women who have left abusive relationships and are ready to rebuild their lives with dignity, strength, and hope.
Guided by empathy and a commitment to breaking generational cycles of trauma, Grace’s Place is more than a support network. It is an online community where women are welcomed, empowered, and encouraged to step into their next chapter.
Through long-term mentorship, personal growth workshops, and connection with others who understand their journey, participants gain the tools to heal, grow, and define what a thriving future looks like for them and their families.
At Grace’s Place, we believe that every step toward healing contributes to a stronger and more compassionate world. We stand as a beacon of hope, showing that with support, love, and shared strength, lasting change is possible.
This is more than a mission statement. It is a commitment to walk beside each woman as she builds a future filled with peace, purpose, and grace.
Our Plan
Phased Implementation
Phase One: Freedom Beyond Abuse Virtual Program
Launched in September 2023, this online program provides survivors with immediate access to mentorship, personal growth workshops, and peer support. Its virtual format allows us to reach women beyond geographic boundaries and serve those who may not have access to local aftercare services.
Phase Two: Grace’s Place After-Shelter Residential Program
Building on the success of the virtual model, this phase will establish a physical site dedicated to supporting women transitioning out of emergency shelters. The residential program will provide a safe, stable environment where participants can continue their healing journey while developing the skills needed for long-term independence.
Phase Three: Expansion and Replication
We will refine and expand our training materials, creating a comprehensive replication plan informed by the lessons learned from phases one and two. This phase will position Grace’s Place to grow sustainably, extend our reach, and partner with other communities to replicate the model and support more survivors nationwide.
Expanding the Impact
The Grace’s Place model is built for both scalability and adaptability. Many individuals and organizations are eager to be part of a sustainable solution that nurtures partnerships at the local and global level. We provide comprehensive training and ready-to-use materials that equip partners to replicate our programs in their own communities.
Each implementation benefits from a built-in feedback loop and ongoing follow-up. This ensures the programs evolve with every iteration, consistently improving outcomes and adapting to the unique cultural and community needs of the people they serve.
As the network grows, so does its collective strength. Partners share their insights, challenges, and successes, creating a living knowledge base that strengthens the program for everyone involved.
This collaborative approach not only improves the quality and reach of each individual site but also fosters a global community united by the shared goal of helping survivors rebuild their lives with dignity, security, and hope.
Board of Directors
Janet Grace Nelson – Chairman of the Board, Founder
Janet Grace founded Grace’s Place Foundation in 2020 to help survivors of domestic violence rebuild their lives with confidence and lasting strength. A lifelong servant leader, she began helping others as a child, feeding the homeless in Chicago and later serving on global mission teams in Africa, Mexico, and Ecuador.
Her work includes partnering with Horizons International, the Unstoppable Foundation, City of Children, and Pachamama Alliance, always guided by love and purpose. An ordained minister, teacher, TEDx speaker, and author, she leads with faith and compassion.
Vicki LoBianco Peake – Marketing & Media
Vicki brings more than 25 years of marketing experience, blending traditional advertising with modern lead-generation strategies. Her career began with AT&T and Southwestern Bell in Houston before expanding into digital and community-based marketing across Chicago.
A former professional cheerleader for four Chicago sports teams, Vicki channels that same energy into lifting others up and helping them succeed. Her volunteer work includes serving on boards for Grace’s Place Foundation and her local community association, and mentoring youth through local programs.
Vicki believes in living from love and above, combining creativity, enthusiasm, and connection to empower every project she touches.
Cathy Wadsworth, MA – Treasurer
Cathy holds a Master’s in Clinical Psychology and is a QuickBooks Certified ProAdvisor, combining a strong background in business operations, accounting, and mental health. She spent over a decade supporting at-risk youth before moving into 24 years of leadership in sales and operations.
Now semi-retired, Cathy runs a remote bookkeeping business while traveling across North America with her husband. Her balance of compassion and precision makes her a trusted steward of Grace’s Place resources.
She believes change happens one person and one family at a time and brings both heart and strategy to helping survivors rebuild their confidence and stability.
Rileagh T. Chase – Board Chair
Rileagh Chase is a Master Certified Coach with the International Coaching Federation, the founder of Chase Leadership & Coaching Academy, and creator of Chase Business School, accredited in both the UK and the USA. For more than 20 years, she has helped people and organizations lead stronger, live freer, and build lives they’re proud of.
Her clients range from global brands to everyday leaders who want to create meaningful change. She is also the creator of Anxiety Free in 30 Days and the upcoming book by the same name.
Rileagh brings warmth, strategy, and action to everything she touches, walking alongside others to call forward their potential and help them rise into the life they were made for.
Advisory Council
Dr. Kathie Mathis – Executive Advisor
Dr. Mathis is CEO of the California Cognitive Behavioral Institute and a Doctor of Psychology and Divinity with more than 25 years of leadership and clinical experience. She has advanced programs in board and staff development, funding, and volunteer training across California and beyond.
A Domestic Violence Advocate and Certified Batterers and Anger Management Facilitator, she holds multiple certifications in trauma recovery, parenting, and behavioral therapy. She is a Diplomate of the American Psychotherapy Association and a respected educator in violence prevention and emotional wellness.
Dr. Mathis is the past President of the California Association of Anger Management Providers and now serves as Director for the National Women’s Coalition Against Violence and Exploitation in Southern California.
Linda Theriault – Paralegal
Linda is a survivor of domestic violence who overcame homelessness, addiction, and early school dropout to rebuild her life with strength and purpose. In 1991, she earned her Paralegal certification and began providing free legal and emotional support to women and children in need.
A mother of three sons, including one with cerebral palsy, and guardian to her deaf nephew, she also fostered four children. Her advocacy includes teaching parents to navigate the school system for children with disabilities and guiding families through legal and social challenges.
Linda has volunteered with Laura’s House, Orangewood Children and Family Center, and Banc of California’s youth programs, serving as a mentor, house mother, and advocate for women finding their path to self-sufficiency.