Restoring Hope, Restoring Lives - by Saving Grace Ministries

Saving Grace Ministries is witnessing true life change in WNY. During our 25 years of service, we have seen countless stories of God’s faithfulness, from addictions breaking, to individuals finding their life purpose. We are humbled to be a vessel in the Lord’s work.

SGM operates a NYS Certified Emergency Shelter, “Grace House”, along with a Transitional Living Program in East Buffalo. We serve to lift the lost, restore hope, and build community for men across Western New York. Through basic needs, case management, and life skills training, it is our goal to be an organization fighting the cycle that individuals often find themselves in - hopelessness and often in the throes of active addiction. The services we offer are vital to our community. We also serve alongside strategic partners and engage our faith community to meet the needs of clients exactly where they find themselves.

We share the story of Allonzo, who is a current resident in our Transitional Living Program. Allonzo arrived at Grace House Emergency Shelter in December of 2022. Like many, he was angry, lost and hesitant to receive help. Allonzo lost his house after facing some difficult circumstances, was in bondage to addiction, and was ultimately struggling to maintain a healthy quality of life.

Soon after Allonzo arrived at “Grace House”, he realized that his placement at “Grace House” was more than a shelter, but an opportunity to truly turn his life around.

“But once I got there (Grace House), I found that it was one of the best situations I could find myself in, not only under the circumstances, but also in getting my life back on track to being more functional in society. I was able to get clothes. I was able to get a job. I was able to get counseling. I was able to get the things I needed to turn my life around.” – Allonzo.

Allonzo spent some time in our shelter before moving into our Transitional Living Program, where he now resides with housemates who have become friends. He works full time, and when he isn’t working you can often find him making artwork and designs of all kinds with the many computer systems and tools he has collected. He has truly turned his life around and now lives as an encouragement to many other men in our program, involving himself in different activities at Firehouse Church and always offering a hand to our shelter program.

Allonzo is a story that represents many clients finding themselves placed at Grace House in the face of various storms, met with dignity and grace, who make a pivotal turn in their lives. There will always be stories that don’t end like this, and clients who are not ready or willing to accept help, but we will continue to rejoice for those whose stories who do end in a win, and for those who don’t, we remain a safe place ready to help in time of need.

We are grateful that God has allowed us to serve in the way we do. We will continue to live out our missional calling and extend the love and grace that the Lord offers each of us daily.