About Us

Grace House is Itasca County’s only homeless shelter. More than 200 individual, families and children who are homeless or transient are served by Grace House each year.

Grace House can house up to 10 individuals per day, 365 days per year. Grace House guests can stay at the shelter for up to 30 days, if needed, to focus on developing job and independent living skills.

Prior to 2006, there had been no homeless shelter in Itasca County, and many individuals and families experiencing homelessness were at extreme risk. Other organizations and agencies in the community assisted with overnight stays in motels and small cash assistance. However, until the establishment of Grace House, there were no consistent services available to those in need of emergency shelter.

With outstanding support from the greater Grand Rapids community, Grace House opened the doors to its new, stand-alone homeless shelter on December 26, 2012. The new facility offers: individual sleeping cubicles; Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessible restrooms, showers, and wheelchair lift; indoor play space and literacy corner for children; work stations where guests can access employment and housing information; and an on-site mini resource center where guests can access information on potential employment and housing opportunities.

Guests meet with Grace House’s trained staff and other professionals on a daily basis. Together, Grace House staff and agency representatives provide guests with referrals to appropriate resources (including mental health and chemical dependency services), assistance in filling out forms; and motivation to realize goals set forth in their individualized plans.

Vision Statement

• Decrease homelessness in Itasca County.
• Improve access to services and resources for guests served by Grace House.
• Create a self-sustaining organization.
• Maintain a permanent home for our shelter.
• Continue to have a committed staff and volunteer base that is supported by the board.