Grace Stocksdale Owner
Of More Than a Bed
Born and raised in Ohio, moved to Tucson in ’62- ‘69, attended UofA majoring in education, moved to NY City in ’69 where I was employed with British Airways, and then moved into Wall Street recruiting.
Returned to Tucson in 2007 to care for my 87-year-old mother who just turned 101.
Became aware of the foster care crises while heading up a group of volunteers at my church. Started talking to the foster families at my church to try and find a way to help in some way.
I and 2 families began discussions and More Than a Bed was conceived. After 1.5 years, the time needed to build MTaB became too much for the foster families who had 4-10 children each. Through continuous conversations with the families and teens in foster care, my knowledge and education grew. I began talking to various DCS caseworkers to try and understand the procedures.
I did not personally experience being a foster parent, nor did I plan this journey that I am currently on. The stories and experiences of the children broke and continues to break my heart. When I look into these children’s beautiful faces, I want to make sure that they are finally valued and safe and can see a future.
The first 3 years we worked out of 9 storage units located at Ina and I-10. Then someone heard us on a radio show similar to this telling the audience that we needed a building so that we could offer much more to our foster families.
Six months later, we moved into our current warehouse which was donated and built by an anonymous donor especially for More Than a Bed to serve the children. We have now been in the warehouse almost 4 years and are bursting at the seams.
Website: http://morethanabed.org/
Address: 3637 North 1st Avenue, Tucson, Arizona 85705
Phones: (520) 428-5280
Direct Phone: 917-612-1915
Email: grace@morethanabed.org
Raechel Larsen Marketing Director
Of More Than a Bed
I was born and raised in southern California.
My neighbors fostered kids throughout my whole time in California. Then I moved to Flagstaff, AZ to attend NAU where I
earned a BA in business administration and management for nonprofits.
Volunteered at the local animal shelter and then was hired on to create a foster program and to become the foster coordinator where I created a successful program. Later moved to Tucson, got married and became the foster coordinator at the Humane Society of Southern Arizona.
In 2018, I was involved in a car accident which left me unable to do my current job at the animal shelter.
A few months later I started my own business helping entrepreneurs find and create their brand, then designing a website that resonated with that brand, now known as Modern Bay Designs.
Once I was healed, I was able to fulfil my dream of being a foster parent. My husband Shane and I became licensed in 2019 and received first placement a few days later. I met Grace because I went to MTaB with my first placement! I was so impressed with the warehouse and wanted to give back so I offered my services at a rate that MTaB could afford.
We have now been working together for almost two years now.
Phone: 520-904-0669
Website: www.morethanabed.com
Email: marketing@morethanabed.com
About Your Host
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