Heartfelt Family Stories.

“Grace is a place that helps you get through a time that you didn’t think you could.”

Our Founder’s Story

Grace House was founded by Cynthia Battista (Cindy), a lifelong resident of Western New York. In October 2013, Cindy’s colleague, Mike Celej, shared that his son had suffered traumatic injuries from a motorcycle crash in North Carolina. His family traveled from Western New York to Asheville, NC, where they were welcomed at a local healthcare hospitality house. Staying there brought peace and relief during a terrible time.

Meanwhile, for many years Cindy had felt inspired to answer a calling—to help people in her community with lodging. A ministry focused on hospitality. But she was looking for just the right project.

When Mike returned to work, he was animated as he described his experience at the guest house. After a long day at the hospital, his family could return to a clean and comfortable place to rest and share a meal. They would feel restored for whatever the next day might hold. Cindy immediately knew Mike’s story provided clarity on her calling and purpose, and she was called to action.

The very same night after hearing Mike’s story, Cindy started working to create a small healthcare hospitality house in her neighborhood for Mercy Hospital of Buffalo. On February 12, 2014, Grace Guest House was formed. “The name I chose was based upon the Grace of God, because I knew from the start that it was only through Him that this could happen.” With the support of family, friends, and the community, she was able to turn her vision into reality. In November 2017, Grace House opened its doors and welcomed its first families, and Grace House now serves nearly all regional hospitals.

Isn’t it amazing how the simple act of sharing a personal story can profoundly impact others?

From Our Guests

In a time when I didn’t know what the next step was Grace House was there for me. Everyone at Grace became a friend and helped me through my chaos. They are there to listen and a shoulder to cry on. My family was there for me, but distance kept us apart during a rough time. Grace was there to fill the gap! They made me feel at home!

As always, we were welcomed, and all our needs were met. Thanks for all your doing. Grace House is a great ministry for many. After visiting a hospitalized loved one which we have done now for over 4 months we feel like each time we’ve come we are again coming home to wonderful friends.

There are no words to express how much ALL of you are at the Grace House. I was blessed by how calming and caring each of you are. This includes those who volunteered to shuttle me from Grace House to ECMC and back every day. What you have is truly a gift from God for all who are stressed by trauma affecting their families. I can’t thank you enough for your work.

We had a wonderful stay, and everyone was extremely helpful. Everyone’s kindness was appreciated and helped during this difficult time. From the moment I called to make the reservation and we arrived there to check in, until the day we checked out, the staff was great. I would like to thank everyone for being so kind and would highly recommend Grace House to anyone having to stay up there while family members are being treated or they themselves need to go to Mercy for treatment. Thanks again