Author Archives: grassrootstim

Volunteers and Donors Rise to the Challenge

Grassroots faced many challenges during the past fiscal year, as record numbers of callers, clients and residents turned to us in their time of crisis. In addition to the best efforts of talented and dedicated team members, those challenges required the help of Grassroots supporters.

A painted bench offers a message and a view of a resident sitting outside.

Outpouring Almost 600 volunteers provided services to Grassroots from July 1, 2022-June 30, 2023.  Of those, the 99 shelter volunteers contributed 1,143 hours of service, and the 498 volunteers at the Day Resource Center contributed 7,620 hours, according to Monteith Mitchell, Volunteer & In-Kind Donations Coordinator.

The volunteers’ hours are inspiring. In-kind donations were also remarkable. Donations to the shelter totaled $236,404, and donations to the Day Resource Center totaled $227,776.

Among the highpoints of the year were donations of Back-to-School supplies for children’s backpacks, Thanksgiving meals and Holiday Giving gift cards. Groups brought Mother’s Day gifts and Easter baskets. Columbia Links donated blankets, Faithful Circle Quilters provided their own creations, and Home of Our Own contributed furniture and household items for residents moving into their own places. Others  cooked, painted, gardened and gathered for shelter residents and visitors to the Day Resource Center.

Faith Community Special thanks go to the many faith communities supporting efforts at the shelter and Day Resource Center through volunteer service, in-kind donations and financial help on a regular basis. Among the standouts were Church of the Resurrection, First Lutheran, Glen Mar United Methodist, Jewish Federation of Howard County, New Hope Church, Orthodox Church of St. Matthew, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, and St. Mark’s Episcopal Church.

Bethany United Methodist Church Pastor Cathryn Vitek delivered lunch kits to GrassrootsOperations Manager Anna Katz. To help, contact info@grassrootscrisis.org.

Student Support While the student philanthropy and community service initiative, Change Matters, was derailed during COVID and hasn’t fully rebounded yet, efforts on behalf of Grassroots continue.  VolunTeens at Howard High School raised $1,500 to purchase nonperishable and hygiene items from the Grassroots wish list, as well as purchasing household supplies on the Target charity registry for shelter residents moving into new homes. Special thanks to projects leaders Lily and Sofie Douglass, faculty advisor Molly Hart and the school’s bookkeeping staff led by Peg Miller.

Grassroots Volunteer Physician Retires After 20 Years of Service

Dr. Joe Gagliardi led a volunteer staff of 3 doctors and 10 nurses to provide treatment, advice and counseling to the “routinely neglected” Dr. N. Joseph Gagliardi, who served as a dedicated and beloved volunteer physician for Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center since 2004, has retired from practice. Dr. Gagliardi began his tenure with Grassroots as… Continue Reading

Egg Hunt Fundraiser for Grassroots is Sunday, April 2, 1-3 p.m.

The weather forecast promises sunny skies and almost 60 degrees for this Sunday’s Egg Hunt Fundraiser for Grassroots on the Kittleman Family Farm in West Friendship. The benefit will include a Petting Farm, Chocolate and Mimosa Bar. Games and other activities for children and adults will be featured. The egg hunt will start at 2 p.m.“ Our… Continue Reading

Marriotts Ridge High School Fills Empty Bowls for Grassroots

Marriotts Ridge High School Fills Empty Bowls for Grassroots

Benefit on Feb. 23 includes all the soup you can eat and a paint-your-own ceramic bowl created by students in the National Art Honor Society The National Art Honor Society, the Black Student Union and Culinary Department at Marriotts Ridge High School are hosting “Empty Bowls 2023,” a community fundraiser for Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center,… Continue Reading

Coalition to End Homelessness to hold Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day Event Dec. 21

Coalition to End Homelessness to hold Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day Event Dec. 21

On Wednesday, December 21, the first day of winter and the longest night of the year, the Howard County Coalition to End Homelessness will hold a gathering to remember those lives lost in Howard County in 2022 who were homeless or had a history of homelessness. Limited in-person seating is available at the Oakland Mills Interfaith Center, 5885 Robert Oliver Place in Columbia,… Continue Reading

The Mall in Columbia Hosts Thanksgiving Food Drive for Grassroots

The Mall in Columbia Hosts Thanksgiving Food Drive for Grassroots

Non-perishable food and financial donations sought to provide meals for individuals and families in Howard County’s shelter for the homeless The Mall in Columbia is hosting a Thanksgiving Food Drive on behalf of Grassroots, Howard County’s 24-7 crisis intervention center and shelter for the homeless, during November, national Hunger and Homelessness Awareness month. Non-perishable food… Continue Reading

Grassroots Answers 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

Grassroots Answers 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center is one of eight Maryland centers selected to answer calls to the new 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. 988 calls, chats and texts connect to trained professionals with expertise in mental health and substance use treatment. Counselors immediately help those reaching out through 988 with their emergencies. In some cases, counselors… Continue Reading

Good News Round Up

Good News Round Up

Resources for Youth County Executive Calvin Ball has announced the expansion of Howard County’s School-Based Mental Health Program to all 77 public schools, as well as plans to subsidize mental health resources in the community for vulnerable youth. The SBMHP’s funding of $1.7 million for the next two years includes $980,000 of American Rescue Plan… Continue Reading

Howard County Health Department Expands Mental Health Campaign

Howard County Health Department Expands Mental Health Campaign

It’s OK to Ask suicide prevention campaign raises awareness and reduces stigma about mental health and suicide across all ages and cultures The Howard County Health Department today announced an expansion of the “It’s OK to Ask” suicide prevention campaign to raise awareness and reduce stigma about mental health and suicide across all ages and… Continue Reading

Grassroots Experts Share What They Know

Grassroots Experts Share What They Know

As experts in crisis services and intervention, Grassroots representatives are frequently invited to speak at conferences and other opportunities to share their expertise.  Most recently Executive Director Dr. Mariana Izraelson has been a featured participant at several events. Dr. Izraelson was one of the speakers at the inaugural Light the Night 5K for Suicide Prevention… Continue Reading

Grassroots Cold Weather Shelter Serves Record Number of Children

Grassroots Cold Weather Shelter Serves Record Number of Children

Local faith community helped with emergency shelter program which housed 23 children, aged 6 months to 17 years, during winter season Howard County Government, partnering with Grassroots and local faith communities, has served 59 people this season in the soon-to-close annual Cold Weather Shelter Program. This year’s program has been distinguished by the high number… Continue Reading