Mission Moment with Sara Chandler, Executive Director of The Grace Period

Meet Sara Chandler

Some of the most impactful nonprofit leaders don't arrive at their work through a carefully planned career path—they arrive because they've lived the challenges they're now helping others overcome.

For Sara Chandler, Executive Director of The Grace Period Inc. Transitional Housing, her mission is deeply personal. After experiencing homelessness while working multiple jobs in her early twenties, she understands firsthand the difficult reality of being employed yet still unable to make ends meet. Today, she's dedicated to helping others facing the same circumstances find stability, hope, and a path back to self-sufficiency.

We recently sat down with Sara to learn more about her journey, the lessons that guide her leadership, and what keeps her inspired every day.

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What inspired you to pursue your current role?

My pastor first inspired me to step into this role, but my own life experiences ultimately led me here.

In my early twenties, I was working three jobs when an eviction left me without stable housing. I found myself moving from couch to couch, staying in hotels, and even sleeping in my car. When I sought state assistance, I discovered that because I was working so many hours, I didn't qualify for help—even though I was homeless.

That experience stayed with me and shaped the work I do today.

Was there a defining moment that solidified your passion for mission-driven work?

Absolutely.

While serving in our church's Neighbor Helping Neighbor ministry, my pastor and I began receiving calls from people who were working full-time but still couldn't afford basic necessities. Inflation, childcare costs, unexpected car repairs, and family emergencies were pushing hardworking people into crisis.

Many didn't qualify for government assistance because of their income, yet they were still struggling to pay rent, buy groceries, or keep up with bills.

That's when I realized my story wasn't unique. It became clear that my purpose was to help people navigate these challenges, share the resources that helped me rebuild my own life, and guide others back toward self-sufficiency.

What does a typical day look like?

In addition to leading The Grace Period, I also work full-time at 80-Twenty Studios, a coworking space in O'Fallon, Missouri.

Outside of my day job, my time is dedicated to supporting our residents through budgeting, transportation planning, life planning, and teaching our seven core wellbeing classes. These include financial literacy, relational wellbeing, community life skills, employment goals, emotional wellness, and spiritual wellness.

Every day is different, but every day is centered around helping people move forward.

How do you balance so many responsibilities?

Organization is everything.

I rely on a detailed calendar and a planning template I've created around the five fundamentals of each of my roles. My goal is to accomplish at least five meaningful tasks each day for every job I have while also making time to strengthen my relationship with God through prayer.

My favorite part of the work is spending time with our residents in person—listening to them, encouraging them, and helping them feel seen, heard, and valued.

What leadership principles guide your work?

One of the biggest influences on my leadership has been Aaron Montgomery's FUNdamentals of Business Success framework.

It emphasizes finding your purpose, understanding the principles of sustainable growth, and creating an environment where both people and organizations can thrive. Those ideas continue to shape how I lead and how I serve others.

Who has been most influential in your career?

Aaron Montgomery has been an incredible mentor. He taught me that when I stay focused on my "why" and my top priorities, almost anything is possible. He's also shown me what healthy work-life balance can look like while staying connected to your purpose.

Another important influence has been Amie Martin. She has encouraged me to embrace my faith fully and reminded me that I can be a teacher, listener, and disciple while remaining true to who God created me to be.

What challenges have you faced along the way?

One of our biggest challenges is helping people understand the reality of the working homeless.

The Grace Period operates entirely through individual donations—we don't receive government or state funding. That means we constantly need to demonstrate the impact of our work.

At the same time, we believe our residents deserve dignity and privacy. They aren't marketing materials or social media content—they're people rebuilding their lives. Sharing our impact without compromising their trust is a balance we take seriously.

I've learned to tell those stories responsibly by protecting identities while still educating audiences through speaking engagements and presentations. I also share my own personal experience whenever I can because it helps people understand that homelessness doesn't always look the way they expect.

What advice would you give someone interested in nonprofit leadership?

Start by learning how nonprofits operate as organizations.

Understanding topics like board governance, fundraising, serving your community, and networking provides a strong foundation before diving into the day-to-day work. Those skills make a tremendous difference in creating long-term impact.

What's something people might not know about you?

I'm a guest author in two books: The Gratitude Shift by Kylene Montgomery and Perfectly I'mperfect by Nina DeAngelo and Tara Hurst.

How do you unwind after a busy week?

My dream weekend would be spending the entire day wrapped in a blanket with popcorn while watching Sandra Bullock movies.

These days, though, I usually give myself 15 minutes of TikTok each day to completely disconnect, laugh, and recharge.

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Sara's journey is a powerful reminder that lived experience can become one of the greatest tools for creating meaningful change. Through compassion, resilience, and a deep commitment to helping the working homeless, she's building opportunities for others to regain stability and rediscover hope—one person, one family, and one story at a time.