Author Archives: grassrootstim

Grassroots Recognizes Nursing Team with Annual Spirit Award

New Beginnings nurses and nurse practitioners distinguish themselves during COVID-19 pandemic. Grassroots has honored the crisis intervention center’s team of nurses and nurse practitioners with the annual Grassroots Spirit Award to recognize their helpfulness, openness, welcoming spirit and respect for colleagues, clients and visitors. The award was presented during Nurses Appreciation Week. The Grassroots nursing… Continue Reading

Volunteers Needed in Columbia and Jessup Centers

Grassroots is seeking volunteers for both the Crisis Intervention Center and Shelter in Columbia and for the Day Resource Center in Jessup, according to Grassroots Volunteer Coordinator Monteith Mitchell.   Volunteers are needed to serve as Office Assistants in Columbia on Thursdays and Fridays for two-hour shifts between 10 a.m.-3 p.m.   Two volunteers age… Continue Reading

Grassroots Cold Weather Shelter Ends Busy Season

Clients receive help applying for housing vouchers and health insurance, finding jobs, screening for substance use, replacing identification The Howard County Government, partnering with Grassroots and local faith communities, provided an expanded Cold Weather Shelter Program for 37 struggling individuals from the end of November until the end of March. People are referred to the… Continue Reading

Opioid Related Deaths Increase in 2020

Howard County saw a 43% increase in opioid related deaths in 2020, compared to 2019, part of a national and statewide trend as the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated opioid and substance misuse, according to information provided by Howard County Executive Calvin Ball.   “Our community, like others, is suffering from the compounding of the coronavirus pandemic… Continue Reading

LGBTQ+ Community Provided Safe Space

More Trainers Needed to Support Program Grassroots is seeking applicants for “Safe Space,” its training and certification program to learn how to provide a supportive environment for LGBTQ+ individuals. The program helps attendees become more culturally competent in providing services and dealing with issues specific to the LGBTQ+ population. Since 2017, over 200 people have… Continue Reading

Grassroots Distributes Rent and Utility Relief Funds

Grassroots is distributing $1 million in Howard County COVID-19 Relief funds to help residents pay past due utility bills and rent payments to prevent eviction. The U.S. Treasury is providing the rent relief and utility assistance funding. In the two weeks since Grassroots partnered with the county to process applications and award the relief funds,… Continue Reading

Howard County Covid-19 Relief – Rental and Utility Assistance

Beginning March 11, 2021, Howard County residents may contact one of the participating providers to complete an application for assistance to pay past due utility bills and rent payments to prevent eviction. Maximum assistance per household is 12 months of rent and utility expenses. Residents that previously received rental assistance are eligible to apply for… Continue Reading

Record Number Served in 2020 by Grassroots

Record Number Served in 2020 by Grassroots

The year 2020 will be remembered for the illnesses and deaths caused by coronavirus, economic hardship, public exposure of systemic racism, and political upheaval.  It will also be remembered at Grassroots because of its record-setting delivery of services. 485 people, 91 of them children, were provided shelter 93 households were given Rental Assistance Funds 1,001… Continue Reading

Howard County Executive Ball Notes Concerning Opioid Trend in 2020

ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County saw a 43% increase in opioid related deaths in 2020 compared to 2019, part of national and statewide trend as the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated opioid and substance misuse. There was a 2.6% decrease in non-fatal overdoses compared to the previous year. Previously, Howard County noted a continued decrease in… Continue Reading

United Way Gives Family Stability Program Grant to Grassroots

United Way Gives Family Stability Program Grant to Grassroots

Homelessness Prevention Funding Helps Keep Families in Own Home and Children in School The United Way of Central Maryland (UWCM) has selected Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center to receive a Family Stability Program grant of $110,000 to operate a Homelessness Prevention Program serving Howard County from Jan. 1, 2021-June 30, 2022, Grassroots Executive Director Dr. Mariana… Continue Reading