G-ROC is an organization for children and adults, and welcomes people of all races, creed and color. It is designed to help youth cultivate values, develop social conscience, and have healthy self esteem, while also teaching critical life skills that will assist them in succeeding in life.
When Dream met Desire! Nina Williams founded G-ROC in 2004 in Normangee, Texas. She recalls sitting on the front porch - around age 6, coloring and talking with her mama who would ask her "what do you want to be when you grow up"? Nina’s reply was "a school teacher, and I am going to buy me a station wagon and my students and I are going to travel the world. Each time they had mommy and me time, which continued until Nina was 16 and her mother went home to be with the Lord, her mother would ask that question and Nina’s reply would always be" a teacher, and so... the DREAM began! Little did she know many years later that the words she spoke as a child would become a reality, and give birth to some of the components in G-ROC – The 50 States + Vacation Travel Club. After graduating high school and moving to Houston, when Nina returned home to Normangee for a visit, she and her uncle Louis Mayes would talk about how much they wished the children in the community could have the opportunities to travel and experience life as they had, both being military personnel. They would discuss the differences they wanted to make in the community and the impact it would have for the children - DESIRE! Tugging at her heart for years, Nina prayed for a way to make that happen and the answer to her prayers was the non-profit - Grace & Reconciliation Outreach Corporation. In 2005 she purchased her grandmother's house, renovated it and turned it into the G-ROC Community Center, and as the saying goes ....the rest is history.
Grace & Reconciliation serves 5 counties – Leon (Buffalo, Centerville, Flynn, Hilltop Lakes, Jewett, Leona, Marquez, Normangee), Madison (Madisonville, Midway, North Zulch) , Brazos (Bryan and College Station only), Grimes (Iola, Bedias, Navasota, Anderson) and inner city of Harris County.
G-ROC is governed by a Board of Directors made up of individuals committed to enhancing the lives of youth in rural communities and inner cities. (see Board of Directors)
Our mission is to unlock the unique potential and impact character development of youth in rural areas and inner city through mentoring, travel and sports.
Goal oriented youth with sound decision making and personal accountability, who are leaders rather than followers.
There is no membership required to be a part of activities and programs offered by G-ROC, it is free for everyone.
