Former Young Professionals Group Chair and 2023 Storybook Gala Chair Grace Gosnell began her volunteer journey during college when she helped a nonprofit match students who struggled academically with trained tutors. As Grace was involved in the program, she grew to love working with students and watching the progress in their learning journey.

After her graduation and return to Houston, she brought her volunteering ambitions with her. The discovery of the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation’s Young Professionals Group aligned with her personal mission of helping others.  

Grace loves the sense of accomplishment that comes from volunteering. Giving the time to make her community a better place serves as her driving force. Through her involvement with the Young Professionals Group, Grace has forged lifelong bonds with other members and feels such a sense of pride knowing that her close friends all share a common goal.

The most memorable moments of volunteering to Grace are reading to a classroom full of first graders and distributing backpacks from the annual Tacky Sweater Party. She describes those events as some that never leave you.

“Seeing a room full of young faces light up with joy when you present them with books is something that I wish everyone could experience. It absolutely solidifies why we are all so vested in this mission.”

Literacy played a fundamental role in Grace’s childhood. Growing up, she gained a deep understanding of the importance of early literacy.

“Reading was such an influential part of my childhood. I was very fortunate to have a home filled with books as well as parents who read with me every night before bed. I truly believe that reading from such a young age had a measurable impact on me growing up to love reading and learning.”

Grace’s seven years with the Young Professionals Group have not gone unnoticed. As she continues to lead by example, Grace’s contributions to the Foundation serve as an inspiration to others. Her dedication is evident in her consistent support to the community and her essential role in helping the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation improve lives through the power of Literacy.

Where The Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens is one of Grace’s favorite books that she wishes she could “read again for the first time.”

To learn more about the Young Professionals Group and become a member, please visit: www.BarbaraBushHouston.org/ypg