Our Story

The House of Grace began as a vision in the hearts of Marcus and Treena van Rijssel in 1999. For the next two years the van Rijssels dedicated themselves to investigating what was required and gathering resources - including the purchase of an old boarding house which was converted and renovated to accommodate five pregnant teens. It was during this time that they confronted first hand the limited options presented to pregnant teens and the need for a service such as this in the community.

The House of Grace was established in December 2001 as a non-profit organisation providing a supportive home environment for pregnant teens where they could gain the knowledge and skills required to parent confidently and have healthy, well-cared-for newborn babies.

As a functional home for pregnant teens we are seeing changes, not only in the girls who come and stay at The House of Grace, but also those we are able to help in the community. We have a passion and heart for pregnant teens - to see their lives changed for good and to have purpose and direction in life.