Join Our Team.

Renee Stewart Bates, M.S.
Founder & Executive Director – Underground Grace

Renee Stewart Bates is a seasoned community leader, trauma-informed educator, and advocate with over 14 years of experience serving youth, young adults, and families across Massachusetts. She holds a Master’s in Forensic Psychology and a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice with a Minor in Juvenile Justice, combining academic insight with hands-on service to marginalized and high-barrier populations.

As the founder of Underground Grace, Renee leads a holistic workforce and wellness program offering life skills, job readiness, and emergency response services for youth, adults, and individuals with disabilities. Her work is supported by a strong track record of grant funding, curriculum development, and culturally responsive program design.

Renee also oversees and collaborates with initiatives under the Raising Royalty Mass platform and Kinship Kollective – Advocacy and support for kinship families in addition to the RMSB Educational Consultant brand responsible for– WIOA, DEI, and life skills curriculum and training.

At Underground Grace, Renee serves as the Founder, Program creator, and Executive Program Director. She leads the overall vision, strategy, and program design for all Underground Grace initiatives.

Renee has secured more than $300K in community-based grant funding, placed over 1,000 youth in vocational pipelines, and led compliant, trauma-informed career systems under state and federal standards.

“My mission is to create sustainable programs, professional pathways, opportunities for healing, and leadership opportunities for all—one life at a time.”

Emely Rosario serves as the Director of Transition at Underground Grace, bringing a strong academic foundation and extensive field experience to the role. She holds a Master’s degree in justice administration and Crime Management and a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice. Her professional journey reflects a deep commitment to helping individuals navigate complex transitions with dignity and direction.

Over the past three years, Emely has led programming that supports more than 300 young adults annually in pursuing employment, college, or military pathways. She has successfully developed and facilitated community resource fairs, transitional workshops, and financial literacy sessions, all designed to remove barriers and increase equitable access to opportunity.

Emely’s expertise lies in workforce development, transitional services, and strategic partnerships. She has built an expansive network of local employers, training programs, and social service agencies, ensuring participants have direct pipelines to meaningful, sustainable futures. Her approach is grounded in compassionate leadership, ethics, and results-based planning.

At Underground Grace, Emely leads wraparound support services for opportunity youth, young parents, and individuals impacted by housing instability, incarceration, and community trauma. 

“To create sustainable career pathways by integrating education, workforce development, and compassionate leadership that promotes long-term personal and economic empowerment.”

Designs inclusive and culturally relevant programs tailored to meet the needs of youth, young adults, and those with disabilities. Leads curriculum creation, oversees accommodations, and ensures our services align with WIOA, Pre-ETS, and MRC expectations. 

Champions access and advocacy for immigrant, refugee, and undocumented youth and adults. This role supports participants navigating TPS, asylum, re-entry, and legal transitions by connecting them with culturally competent resources, legal aid, translation services, ESL referrals, housing access, and transitional case management. Serves as a trusted advocate and system navigator, building partnerships with local agencies and ensuring no one walks alone.