In 1998, there was a child who needed help, but the help he needed could not be found. The boy was removed from his home by court order. He had health issues too complex for placement in traditional foster care, but not serious enough to require placement in a medical foster care facility. He was destined for institutionalization. Several concerned foster parents, guardians ad litem, and responsible caring citizens took the initiative to help the child by providing temporary care for him. From that single act of kindness, Grandma’s Place was founded. Since then, children with disabilities or developmental delays who have been abused or neglected have had a place where they receive 24-hour care in a safe home-like environment. Originally operated from a leased house in Loxahatchee, our organization now occupies a home in the Village of Royal Palm Beach that was opened in September of 2004. Children from birth to 12 years old are accepted seven days a week for emergency and non-emergency placements. We have a capacity of 16 children. So where does Grandma’s Place get its name? BessieOur house mother, at one time: Bessie Gordon. Grandma Bessie — as she was affectionately called — was the heart and soul of our home, a tender, loving figure with deep compassion, kindness, and discipline who worked well with multi-cultural children. All the children loved her and enjoyed her delicious meals. And so, we became Grandma’s Place, where we provide a caring, nurturing environment, just like grandma!
