People of Housing Security:
Sarah Grace

As one of Heading Home’s Diversion and Prevention Case Managers, Sarah Grace has the opportunity to walk alongside individuals and households who are at risk of experiencing homelessness. “I’m amazed by Heading Home’s work and honored to be working in this field,” she shared.

Sarah graduated from Broad Ripple High School and later went to Ivy Tech State College. She has had a diverse work history that ranges from early childhood education, insurance navigation, dental assistance, case management, addiction consulting, and property management. Her experience with apartment leasing and case management has become especially valuable in the work she does today.

In her current role, Sarah splits her time as a Diversion and Prevention Case Manager embedded at Bloomington Township and Perry Township trustee offices, where she actively works to assist individuals and households at risk of experiencing homelessness. Her role is part of a larger community initiative working to address unsheltered homelessness in Monroe County. Learn more about that initiative here.

The ability to work with households in imminent crisis is deeply personal to Sarah. Sarah shared that she struggled with addiction and has found a passion for the recovery community and is involved in service work at the local meeting club. “If you need information on recovery options or meetings, please reach out,” she said. “No one should suffer alone.”

Sarah’s lived experience guides the way she approaches her work, strengthening her ability to empathize with the people she serves. She feels determined to empower others to overcome housing instability as quickly as possible, and find the resources that really matter. “I know what it feels like to need a second chance and I believe everybody deserves the opportunity to rebuild [after a crisis],” she said.

“I know what it feels like to need a second chance and I believe everybody deserves the opportunity to rebuild [after a crisis]”

Many of Sarah’s clients are referred to her by the township trustees where her position is embedded. Once referred to her, she meets with the individual or head of household to discuss what is jeopardizing their housing stability. From there, they work together to create a stability plan to overcome any present challenges that could lead to homelessness. 

Often, this work includes helping a household pay off past-due rent to prevent eviction. Sarah also supports clients by covering utility arrears or required deposits to prevent shutoffs and maintain housing stability.

In some cases, assistance may extend to housing-related barriers like transportation costs that allow someone to maintain employment, caregiving expenses that support work stability, relocation to more affordable housing, or legal costs that directly impact housing retention. By taking a flexible, individualized approach, Sarah is able to respond to each household’s unique circumstances and intervene early to keep housing crises from escalating.

An important part of Sarah’s role as a Diversion and Prevention case manager is also helping her clients develop necessary skills to maintain stable housing. Sarah works hard to empower her clients and provide them with tools they can carry into the future. “I have a chance to walk alongside individuals for as long as they want me to,” she said. 

Sarah shared that her position has taught her to slow down and truly take the time to get to know someone. “My work is rooted in building community, trust, and being honest with the people I serve,” she said. “So much healing and growth can come from opening up and being honest. Many feel stigmatized if they do, but I am here to help stop that and empower individuals to be transparent without repercussion or judgement.”

Sarah also reflected on someone in the past who had been kind to her and treated her like a normal person with a job and a home. That impression has stuck with Sarah, and she continues to pay it forward with kindness to others. “Having someone be kind to you and knowing that they believe in you is life changing,” she shared. 

Sarah’s story has allowed her to feel a deeper connection with the clients that she serves and continues to motivate her in her role with Heading Home. “I have so much compassion for the people who have suffered because I’ve also suffered,” she said. 

While this work can be extremely difficult, Sarah finds strength to get through the hard days by finding humor in life and focusing on the positives no matter how small. “Life is beautiful and joyful, and I’m grateful to be able to experience things,” she said. 

Outside of work, Sarah loves spending time with her family and enjoying the beautiful nature in Bloomington. Sarah shares how self-care is so important and de-stresses by exercising and attending sound bowl healing sessions. She loves playing musical instruments and painting with her two younger children, and spending time with her daughter who is pursuing a degree in English Professional & Technical Writing at Indiana University.