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Pillars Of Grace

Team Of Volunteers

Mary T. Rodriguez

Mary T. Rodriguez

Read Mary's Bio

Brian Wedgeworth

Read Brian's Bio

Rebecca Guerra

Read Rebecca's Bio

Carolyn Jones

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Mary Hernandez

Read Mary's H. Bio

Brian Guerra

Read Brian's Bio

Alicia Cruz

Read Alicia's Bio

Cathy Jackson-Smith

Read Cathy's Bio

Since 2019

Saving Phoenix & Surrounding Areas

Right here in Arizona, there are families who need our help. Families without a place to live. Families with young children. Families in need.

Working together, we help provide families and children a stable, safe, and loving environment while they are in the temporary crisis.

 

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To provide opportunities for individuals and families to succeed in life and contribute back to society.

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Mary T. Rodriguez

Mary T. Rodriguez is a founder and director of The Pillars of Grace non-profit 501c.  Not a path she expected to take, she shares “I never imagined myself leading in this capacity, but somehow God did.  God truly has a sense of humor!”

In 1974, Mary found the love of Christ.  At the time she was an 8 th  grade dropout working in the fields, and became a teen mom the following year with the birth of her daughter You see Mary was that person in need receiving welfare looking for help to become a better person for her daughter. “I believe that anyone can be used once you surrender to God’s will,” she says. Serving and helping others that have unforeseen circumstances have become Mary’s main passion in life because of her own trials.

Mary has had a distinguished career in education.   Volunteering for a year in her daughter’s first grade class initially sparked her interest in the field.   She went on to graduate from Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education, and then earned a Masters of Education at Northern Arizona University.  She has been published on the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics website.  Mary has also lead groups of educators in analyzing teaching styles and addressing different modalities of learning. Mary has lead missionary teams to the Dominican Republic, and has assisted in missions to Peru and Mexico. Mary’s teams have also helped build what’s known now as the Center of Dreams Orphanage in Nogales Mexico.

Her interests include writing short stories, Zumba, reading, worshipping, and, most of all, serving in others.  She is dedicated to providing love and help to people in need.

She also has a heart for students who are going through difficult times. She loves to watch others discover their God-given talents. In my journey I will never stop learning about God’s love and His plan for me. I still say, ‘when I grow up I will do whatever God has planned for me’–I just need to listen!”

Brian Wedgeworth

My name is Brian Wedgeworth. I began serving this ministry with my wife Theresa. We served in several ministries together and felt very passionate about Pillars of Grace due to the mission and vision of giving back to the community and helping people in need while serving God. I earned a bachelor’s degree in business management and a master’s degree in business administration. I am two classes from a second master’s in construction management with an emphasis in facilities management. Theresa and I have 4 children and 6 grandchildren. I enjoy spending time with my family, especially outdoors. I enjoy 4-wheeling, hunting, shooting and taking rides on my bike.

Rebecca Guerra

With a bachelor’s degree in Human Services and a minor in Child Development, she has dedicated much of her life to helping others. Over the past 25 years, she has worked in social services, gaining extensive experience supporting individuals and families through a variety of challenges. In addition, she has spent 10 years working specifically in child development, where she has been passionate about nurturing growth, learning, and well-being in children. She also enjoys volunteering with Pillars of Grace, appreciating how local it is and the opportunity it gives her to serve and connect with people in her own community. Outside of her professional life, she treasures her large family and deeply values the time they spend together. Whether it’s sharing a meal, attending events, or simply being together, she enjoys making meaningful memories with any of them, doing just about anything as long as they are together.

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Carolyn Jones

Carolyn Jones is a retired Certified Public Accountant. Carolyn owned a CPA practice for 25 years and served as a Kentucky State Representative, a Bath County Judge Executive and a Chief Financial Officer for the Kentucky Association of Counties prior to retiring in October 2015.

Carolyn always enjoyed giving back to the community and served on many boards such as New Hope Clinic, Christian Social Service Center and the Bath County Literacy Council. Through the Kentucky Governor’s appointment she has served on the Kentucky Law Enforcement Council, Tourism Advisory Council, and the Kentucky Equine Drug Research Council.

During her professional career, she was involved with the local Chamber of Commerce and the Owingsville Kiwanis. Carolyn is currently the Treasurer for Pillars of Grace.

Carolyn and husband Marcus reside in Avondale, Arizona. They are members of the Grace Walk Community Church.

Mary Hernandez

My name is Mary Hernandez I have been with the Church for 8-10 years. I’m in 3 Ministries and enjoy serving the Lord. I was born and raised in Arizona. I am a retired food service worker. I attend Grace Walk Church and have 10 years. My volunteer activities include a dance instructor for the school and president of the PTA. I volunteer at church on the counting team, and in the office as needed as well as pillars of Grace as a member at large.

Brian Guerra

Brian is a well-rounded 16-year-old who is actively involved both in and out of school. As an athlete, he values teamwork, discipline, and perseverance. His participation in Student Council, STEP, NHS, and the Disney Club reflects his leadership, commitment, and wide range of interests. Brian also enjoys giving back to his community by volunteering at Pillars of Grace. He especially appreciates meeting and learning from people of different generations, including veterans whose stories and experiences inspire him. Looking ahead, Brian is excited about the future and plans to attend college. He plans to study medical engineering, to combine his interest in science and innovation to make a positive impact in the world.

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Alicia Cruz

Alicia Cruz is a proud wife of 28 years.  She was a first generation home school mom to four beautiful children. Alicia spent 14 years in the Pharmaceutical industry followed by many years as a cake decorator, baker, caterer and event planner. Alicia has co-led with her husband multiple missionary teams where they traveled to the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua.  They had moved their family to San Jose, Costa Rica where they lived as missionaries for a year and a half. Alicia’s heart is filled with love and compassion and therefore has a strong lifelong desire to continue to make an impact on the lives of as many people as she can in a way that will bring a renewed hope as well as mental and emotional healing.

Cathy Jackson-Smith

Cathy Jackson-Smith is a retired IT Business Analyst who now serves as the Production Director at Grace Walk Church. With a passion for community service, Cathy enjoys giving back whenever possible. She is a proud mother of two and a devoted grandmother to five wonderful grandchildren.