Denise Russell's First Day

Date of the Event: June 2017

What's the Gist?

Denise Russell heard about the Grace Welcome Center from her church because they really needed help. She went in and she loved the volunteers and the guest. To this day, she is helping run the Grace Welcome Center.

Denise Russell (middle) is in action talking with and helping two women.
Denise Russell is giving a speech explaining what the Grace Welcome Center is and is creating awareness.
Denise Russell reflecting on her journey at Grace Welcome Center

What are the details?

Denise Russell heard of the Grace Welcome Center from her church and went because they really needed help and she wanted to give.

  • Denise Russell heard of the Grace Welcome Center from her church and heard that they really needed help, so she drove to the Grace Welcome Center and immediately started helping.


Denise Russell knew she had to help because Pastor Barker was so excited when she called.

  • This is important because this shows us that the Grace Welcome Center really needed help at the time and that Denise Russell knew she had to do it. Pastor Barker was so happy to hear from her.


Denise Russell was scared and shy to go in but she faced her fears and went in.

  • Denise Russell was scared and shy to go in but she knew she needed to go because the Grace welcome Center really needed help.

Denise Russell ended up loving the Grace Welcome Center and is still running the Grace Welcome Center.

  • Denise Russell loves to give and that she was very happy that she found the Grace Welcome Center.

Denise Russell said “Walking through those doors changed my life.”

  • The Grace Welcome Center has impacted her life and she was happy she walked in the doors because she still loves helping and volunteering to this day.

Who was involved? How were they were involved?

Denise Russell: It was her first day volunteering and she is now the Pantry Director.

Pastor Jonathan Barker: A pastor at Grace Lutheran Church and runs the Grace Welcome Center.

Grace Welcome Center: A food pantry that helps people who need food, clothing, showers, haircuts, etc.

Why is this event/moment important to the Uptown Community and greater Kenosha?

This event is important because the Grace Welcome Center desperately needed volunteers and through the leadership of Denise Russell, the Grace Welcome Center grew and it has helped feed so many more families.

Sources:

Denise Russel Video.TS.mp4
Denise Russell reflecting
(Recorded April 12th, 2022)
Denise Russell, Grace Welcome Center
(Outreach For Hope March 13th 2021)

Author of Web Page

Maggie King an 7th Grade at Harborside Academy (May 2022)