Staff

Meet Desnéige VanCleve, Founder and Executive Director of Grace Place Ministry, Inc. Desnéige has a background in small business marketing, a college degree in Christian Ministry from Trevecca Nazarene University, and worked as the Benevolence Coordinator for Long Hollow Baptist Church before organizing and opening Grace Place.

Now, in the daily operations of Grace Place, she strives to show the love of Christ to each woman and child by offering guidance, support, and numerous types of training to help fulfill the mission of Grace Place. Desnéige also spends a great deal of time sharing the story of Grace Place and the future vision of Grace Place out in the community whenever opportunities arise. 

Lisa Jo joined the staff of Grace Place in December 2021.  She manages all aspects in the office that keep things running behind the scenes.  She has a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Western Kentucky University and a Masters in Educational Leadership from Trevecca Nazarene University.  She has been teaching elementary and middle school for the past 19 years and has made an impact on so many young lives in the community. 

Lisa Jo spends down time with her husband and their two daughters. She loves cheering on her girls at their ballgames, camping and boating at Dale Hollow Lake, and spending time with her family.  She is energetic and eager to serve the families of Grace Place.

Lisa joined the staff of Grace Place in the Spring of 2019. She shows up every day with a smile for every mother and child she greets and embarks on whatever adventure she can each day with the families at Grace Place. She supervises all house operations and makes sure that all families have transportation all week long. Lisa is known for her positive attitude and nurturing spirit. She loves serving the families at Grace Place and reflecting the love of Christ. 

Helen joined Grace Place as the Development Manager in February 2023. Prior to coming to Grace Place, Helen worked in marketing in both Tennessee and Alabama. 

In her down time, she loves spending time with my family, including her beautiful grandchildren Inman and Ava May.  At home, you can always find her with a craft project in hand or pots and pans ready to create something yummy.

Helen says, "I am grateful Grace Place gives me the opportunity to live out the verse, "Jesus replied, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind'. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' - Matthew 22:37-39."

Autumn is the Program Manager at Grace Place Ministry. She is passionate about serving our moms who come to us in times of crisis and helping them to find their stability once they graduate from Grace Place.  She is a member of the Tennessee Counseling Association and the American Counseling Association. Before joining Grace Place Ministry, she worked at Mental Health Cooperative for 3 years. During that time, she grew in her clinical skills as an Intensive Care Manager, and a Resident Counselor in the Emergency Psychiatric Services unit. She also was an intern at the Babb Center where she learned how to build and maintain therapeutic relationships, how to develop and implement treatment plans, how to use different therapeutic techniques, and how to work with a variety of clients. She has a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Lee University-Pentecostal Theological Seminary, and a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband, family, and friends, hiking, kayaking, swimming, traveling, playing with her dogs (Pancake and Maggie), reading,
and cooking.