Today we’d like to introduce you to Bettina Grzeskowiak.
Hi Bettina, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Hi everyone, my name is Bettina, and I am the founder of Embrace. How did we start? I felt there is so much to do; I wanted to give back to a community that has ’embraced’ me since I came from Germany in 2007. Seeing the challenges that people face, whether depression, sickness, or poverty, I began stepping out to make a difference. But it’s not possible to do it alone, so we decided to host some initial meetings with caring friends in the community to discuss local needs and how we could make a difference.
After sharing my vision with friends, who immediately supported my vision and the project, we came up with a name and mission statement.
In the beginning, it was mostly small community events in which we raised funds, provided clothing and food for our local families who were facing hardship. Eventually, more people volunteered their time with Embrace, and our dream became reality.
Now we feed between 200-500 people each week along 192 in Kissimmee, Florida, and we also support other entities with seasonal help, like ‘back to school’ initiatives, housing projects, and major food initiatives to provide for those less fortunate and put our best foot forward.
It’s all about sharing love and compassion to give hope.
A little about me. I was formerly married to someone who knew fame and a
bright future, but addiction entered in and robbed our family of that future. Being thrust into single motherhood, I was determined to build a life for my son despite the challenge of starting with nothing. Without a car and money, I started a house-cleaning business. A bicycle served as my transportation as I went from house to house while carrying a vacuum cleaner in one hand. This determined me to give my son a future, and now I am giving other families a hand up, offering them food, clothing, hygiene products, feminine products, resources, and hope.
Now, every Saturday in Celebration, we gather a group of volunteers who sacrifice their time to pack food bags for the hungry along 192 where families live in hotels and sometimes even cars. I launched Embrace of Celebration, a non-profit organization that works hard to meet the needs of those just outside of our beautiful community. It all began with packing a few peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for families living in the woods. We became aware of children living in tents, and yes, these children were enrolled in local schools. Can you imagine going to school and coming “home” to a tent or hotel room, sharing that little room with 3,4,5,6 people. It’s real. With a passion to reach every family in need, Embrace of Celebration has quickly gained momentum as they attempt to answer the overwhelming crisis that has grown drastically, fueled by inflation that’s pushing people out of their homes.
Traci Vanderbush
Helped with the writing ❤️
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
There was no support at the beginning. I was divorced due to abuse, addiction, and depression (ex-husband). I had no transportation for 4 years (just a bike). There were many obstacles for me as a single mother without money and support. But those obstacles give us opportunities to learn and grow. It helps to gain compassion and love to empathize and identify with each other.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Embrace of Celebration Inc?
We are supporting between 200-500 people each week. We deliver basic necessities each week and include resources in those bags filled with food and basic necessities. We deliver and serve families along 192 who are living in motels and the Backlot Apartments. Two schools in Kissimmee reached out to ask for our support as well. Our youth volunteers help prepare bags with basic necessities along with uplifting notes of encouragement. These amazing volunteers meet at Celebration Town Hall and our local church kitchen every Saturday.
If funds allow, we help families cover their deposit and first month’s rent, or emergency hotel stays. With the help of others, we’ve been able to furnish apartments for some of these families.
Embrace is beginning to hold fundraiser events to bring awareness of the many needs in our area. Several musicians, like Strings on Fire, have volunteered to perform at these events. Our next big event will be on November 18th in Celebration.
Our biggest need at the moment is more funding, along with a passenger van that can carry food deliveries. My little mini-van isn’t large enough to handle the food and basic necessities that we deliver along 192 every single week.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
I ask people who are in different professions for advice.
Contact Info:
- Website: Embraceofcelebration.org
- Instagram: Embraceofcelebration_youth
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/embrace.celebration
