Meet Grace Hockley, Member & Guest Services Coordinator

If you’ve stopped by the front desk at the Park Heights JCC lately, chances are you’ve met Grace Hockley, our warm and welcoming Member & Guest Services Coordinator. Whether she’s helping members with a request or greeting guests with a smile, Grace brings curiosity, kindness, and enthusiasm to every interaction. 

We caught up with Grace to learn more about what she loves about her role, her unique hobbies, and what brought her to Baltimore. 

Q & A with Grace Hockley 

Q: What is your role at the JCC, and what excites you most about it? 
A: As Member & Guest Services Coordinator, what excites me most about my role is that I get to be a helpful part of the J. I never know what a member is going to ask me, so it’s always an adventure. I enjoy being friendly and helpful—and when I get to say “Yes!” to a request. I get to work with so many amazing people; it’s a joy to come to work each day. 

Q: What inspired you to join the JCC of Greater Baltimore? 
A: I’ve been a member for years and had a friend who worked at the J. When I was looking for a career change in 2024, she encouraged me to apply for a part-time role at the front desk. It was a no-brainer. I love the way it feels at the J. 

Q: How would you describe the JCC community in just a few words? 
A: Warm, welcoming, supportive, tight-knit. 

Q: How do you see your work at the JCC making a difference in people’s lives? 
A: You never know what someone is going through. Sometimes just being there to offer a smile can make a difference. I hope I can be that reliably cheerful and upbeat person to members and colleagues at the JCC. 

Q: What’s one goal you hope to accomplish in your first year here? 
A: I’m just happy to be part of the team, and my “how can I help?” setting is at 11. 

Getting to Know Grace 

Q: Where did you grow up, and what brought you to Baltimore? 
A: I grew up on an island in Washington State, where I met my childhood friend who now lives in Baltimore. I’ve lived in cities up and down the West Coast, but after visiting her and getting a feel for the Park Heights JCC community, I knew I wanted to move here. There’s so much to love about this city and this community. 

Q: Do you have any hobbies or special interests outside of work? 
A: When the weather’s nice, I love doing macro photography of insect faces. Some are so small—about the size of a quinoa grain—that we never really see them. But magnified, they’re fascinating! You can see tiny hairs, pollen flecks… some are even cute! 

Q: What’s a fun fact about you that most people wouldn’t guess? 
A: I would always be barefoot if that were an option. 

Q: If you could have dinner with any famous person, who would it be and why? 
A: They say you should never meet your heroes, and I believe them—so I would sadly decline dinner with Jon Stewart. As for someone I don’t admire… why waste a dinner? And then there’s the valet—do I tip on top of the fee? It’s a lot. 

Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why? 
A: I’d go to the deepest unexplored parts of the ocean just to see what’s there. Kraken? Bioluminescent squiggles? Nothing? After that, Madagascar—to see all the lemurs. 

Welcome, Grace! 

With her creativity, sense of humor, and genuine spirit of helpfulness, Grace Hockley has quickly become a valued part of the JCC family. Be sure to say hello the next time you’re at the front desk—especially if you’re wearing shoes (or not).