This past year House of Grace has helped more than 3000 family members from the local area through services such as counseling, workshops, food packages, medical aid, and the 2nd hand clothing store. In addition to providing material aid where needed, House of Grace has refocused its efforts to provide families with guidance and counseling that will help strengthen them and provide them with the tools necessary to improve their situation. One woman who receives guidance from our social worker, Tamara Shaer, is Magida (alias), a loving mother of four. Because her husband receives a minimum salary, the family finds it very difficult to survive: their home is bare, the children have almost no toys, and their refrigerator barely functions.

Even before the economical world crisis House of Grace found it difficult to cope with the number of families asking for assistance. One of three children in the Arab community suffers hunger, and over 60% of Galilean families live under the line of poverty according to the Bureau of Statistics. Unfortunately, the collapsing economy hits the weak segments harder, and more families are pushed to seek assistance. Trying to request aid from local associations and ministries is an intimidating task in no avail, and organizations such as House of Grace are also suffering from frustratingly low income this year.