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Grace Guest House names new Executive Director

Stephanie Lawson takes over as the new Executive Director of Grace Guest House in South Buffalo.

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Grace Guest House in South Buffalo is a place where families can stay while their loved ones receive medical care. And, it now has a new executive director.

2 On Your Side met with Stephanie Lawson on Monday afternoon to find out what her plans are moving forward.

"I've actually known the founder, Cindy Battista, for several years just through Buffalo professional circles and when she had retired, they started the search for an executive director, and Cindy is currently the board president, and when she and I started talking about the mission, it just really spoke to me," said Stephanie Lawson.

The mission of Grace Guest House is to support families by giving them a safe and peaceful place to stay while receiving medical care at Western New York hospitals.

For Stephanie Lawson, working for non-profits has always been a priority.

"I worked in, for the Food Bank and helped feed people and I worked in housing, and so this really brings two of my passions together," said Stephanie Lawson.

Lawson started her new position as the Executive Director of Grace Guest House earlier this month and is the second woman in the role after founder Cindy Battista switched to her current role as board chair.

Lawson wants to continue what was started when Grace Guest House opened its doors in 2017.

"When you walk through this building, you realize that everything here has been put here with intention. That there was something thought through before a decision was made, and so I'm really trying to build off of the success that was already there. We're so lucky we were founded by somebody who is so passionate about the mission. You can feel the love through the whole house, and the folks who've worked here, volunteered here, sit on our board, they all care so deeply about this work. And so my real ambition is just to continue to grow from there. I think making sure our rooms are consistently full and that folks know this asset exists right here in Western New York, right? We want to make sure that if families are seeking some extra support while they are receiving medical care, they know Grace House is here," said Stephanie Lawson.

Lawson says there are a number of home improvement projects they'd like to do from remodeling a bathroom upstairs to remodeling the kitchen.

"A lot of the folks that are coming into Grace are here facing some of their most difficult days. And so, to be able to ease some of that burden to give them a safe place to stay, a private suite that gives them comfort, a warm meal, it means a lot. It's one of those situations where you don't think about it unless you are personally in the thick of it. And then when you are, you're so grateful that there is a resource like Grace out there," said Stephanie Lawson.

Grace Guest House is always looking for volunteers. You can contact Grace Guest House to find out how individuals and groups can help.

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