Grace Pointe Church Opens New Enrichment Center

Story by LaTasha Hewitt

The Grace Pointe church in Montclair, N.J., recently hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new facility—the Grace Pointe Community Enrichment Center, located adjacent to the church.

The enrichment center represents the culmination of dedicated planning and collaboration by Joan Perry, elder and project manager, and Chris Jones, elder. The initiative was supported by former pastor, Dewaine Frazer, and current pastor, Errol Stoddart, whose leadership helped bring the vision to life.

The center will offer a comprehensive range of holistic services focused on community wellness and recovery needs, including a food pantry and soup kitchen; mental health support and counseling; stress management programs and wellness initiatives; and employment and personal development coaching.

Several community officials were in attendance to mark the occasion and offer remarks, including Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr., county executive of the Essex County Division of Housing and Community Development; John M. Soares, division director; Salvatore Carnovale, program monitor; John Cataldo, coordinator of contractual operations; and Craig Lombardi, housing coordinator.

Following a prayer of dedication, officials gathered for the ceremonial ribbon cutting. Guests were then invited to tour the new facility and enjoy light refreshments.

Grace Pointe is looking forward to their grand opening when their services will be open to the community at large. “We are excited about the needs we will meet and the resources we can provide to those in our church’s neighborhood,” says Perry.