The San Jose group accomplishes this through a combination of classes, community and hot, healthy meals — a program known as Grace Art & Wellness that’s held six days a week at the city-owned Northside Community Center.
“Breakfast and lunch aren’t just meals — they’re a point of entry into healing and connection,” said Shawna Scarpitti, president of the nonprofit. She noted that more than 12,000 meals were served in 2024 to hundreds of people who have found or were referred to Friends of Grace.
Many members have developmental disabilities or are experiencing mental health challenges. For others, they’re coping with the loss of a job, housing or family — or the loneliness and isolation that can come with aging.
“We want to decrease the stigma and focus on the individual,” city recreation supervisor Josue Covarrubias said. “We provide an environment where they can feel safe to be themselves.”
The nonprofit, which grew out of the board-and-care home era, was founded in 1971. Several years ago, the program moved from its original home at Grace Baptist Church to Northside but retained the Friends of Grace name.
All are greeted by name when they walk through the door on North Sixth Street.
“For some folks, it’s their second home,” Covarrubias said. “For some, it’s their first.”
Anyone 18 and over may utilize the services. The lifetime membership fee is $5, and an orientation covers the rules of the center.
“We see some people once every year, some every five years, some every day,” said Jo Eclevia, a senior therapeutic treatment specialist who has worked with Friends of Grace for two decades.
Miriam Soto Marquez, 43, joined earlier this year after suffering a health crisis. She said she’s delighted to be back working part-time as a dental assistant; still, she relishes the days she can spend here.
“It helps me for my soul,” she said. “I came here because I didn’t want to stay home. … I love them like my family.”
On this particular Monday, she and table mates Chase Milburn and Kevin Edwards savored a meal of homestyle meat loaf, steamed broccoli and bowls of cantaloupe.
Between bites, the 35-year-old Milburn talked about his twice-weekly trips to the center from Milpitas. As a young adult, he was diagnosed with an autism disorder. “I get nervous a lot,” he said. “But someone told me it’s OK to be a little different. And I do my best.”
Milburn explores a wide range of interests with the Friends of Grace, participates in the Special Olympics and writes in his journal. For him, the center has provided a valuable social outlet. “I like coming here,” he said. “I like chit-chatting with people,”
After lunch, word of birthdays in the room rang out. Led by Eclevia, the attendees — who represent a wide range of ages and races — sang “Happy Birthday” to members Steven Kraft and Lucy Pruitt, then celebrated with ice cream bars.
But those warm and welcoming meals are in jeopardy. The provider, the Santa Clara Valley nonprofit Martha’s Kitchen, is facing increased prices for food and declining funding and has asked the nonprofits it serves to share costs for 2026. A grant of $25,000 from Wish Book readers would help cover that payment and keep the meals coming.
In turn, those meals keep clients coming for the classes and camaraderie.
After breakfast or lunch, members can stay to attend their choice of sessions, with topics ranging from crafts, gardening and “dancing with water” (using water bottles as light weights) to meditation and anxiety support.
“The time goes faster when I’m sewing or making bracelets,” Soto Marquez said. “Or singing. We have karaoke.” She also participates in the “beginning pool table” class, even though she said she’s not a very good player. Turns out, she likes seeing other people win.
“I win more when I lose because everyone is happy,” she said. “I like to see happy faces.”
Longtime member Mercy Wong cuts a familiar figure in her panda-themed attire (today, a headband and socks) both here and at advocacy events, like the recent Disability Awareness Day at San Jose City Hall.
She likes to stay active and appreciates the chair volleyball sessions. “It’s fun, and It’s good exercise,” she said. Like Milburn, she competes in the Special Olympics.
Another member, Julia, chimes in. “I look forward to the women’s group. We go traveling through the world on YouTube.”
The Friends of Grace members know that funding is critical. And they know how rough it was on them personally when the COVID pandemic forced the center to transition to takeout meals and Zoom meetings for months.
Since then, the center has resumed a full schedule of activities and discussion groups and has even taken the members on outings. They recently ventured to Christmas in the Park nearby to decorate a tree with ornaments they made.
“We can’t lose this place. Look at how many of us are here,” Wong said, surveying the room. “We would be lost.”
ABOUT WISH BOOK
Wish Book is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization operated by The Mercury News. Since 1983, Wish Book has been producing series of stories during the holiday season that highlight the wishes of those in need and invite readers to help fulfill them.
WISH
Donations to Friends of Grace will help pay for its weekday lunch program, which provides hot meals to low-income adults living with mental illness, cognitive disabilities, or experiencing homelessness. Goal $25,000.
HOW TO GIVE
Donate at wishbook.mercurynews.com/donate or mail in this form.
ONLINE EXTRA
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