Your generous support of Grassroots means that people in need get a second chance to make something of themselves. A second chance to get back on their feet. A second chance to re-establish their lives and the lives of their family members.
Personal hygiene items to provide cleanliness and comfort to an individual in crisis
Lyft ride to transport someone from Grassroots to a substance use treatment program
New bedding set (sheets, a blanket and pillow) for a client in the emergency shelter
Bag of groceries for a family who cannot afford to purchase food
Keeps a family of 4 from having to sleep in their car by providing them with a motel stay
One hour of Grassroots crisis services, including the crisis line and walk-in counseling
Mental health therapy session provided for free to a community member in need
Documents like birth certificates and IDs so 5 visitors to the Day Resource Center at Leola Dorsey can apply for jobs and housing
One-hour long visit from the Mobile Crisis Team to help someone in the community dealing with a psychiatric crisis
A day’s worth of meals for 70 individuals staying at the Grassroots emergency shelter, many of whom are children
New beds for a family of 5 moving out of the emergency shelter into stable housing
One day of Grassroots crisis services, including the crisis line and walk-in counseling
Recently, an 81-year-old man named James stepped into his new apartment for the first time. James became homeless after the house that he shared with his mother for over 30 years was lost to foreclosure. After her passing, he was no longer able to afford it with just his $800/month social security check. James came into the Grassroots Emergency Shelter where he had a warm, safe bed, nutritious food, and support from a compassionate case manager. His case manager helped him overcome barriers and apply to affordable housing programs. After 4 months, James moved into a 1-bedroom apartment at a Senior Living facility where he will be able to afford his rent and receive the support he needs to live out his life.
Your generosity makes stories like this possible. Last year Grassroots provided emergency shelter services to 579 individuals experiencing homelessness. We helped over 61% of residents in the Emergency Shelter find stable and secure housing. Our crisis counselors answered more than 60,000 calls to our free, 24-hour crisis line, as well as 50,000 chats and texts to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Donations also support our free, 24-hour crisis center which provides urgent mental health care and substance use services and allows the community access a free, 24-hour food and hygiene pantry. Our Mobile Crisis Team helps individuals in the community who are having a psychiatric crisis and our Outpatient Mental Health Clinic ensures that individuals can receive free therapy. In addition, we support those who are homeless, low income or otherwise in need at the Day Resource Center at Leola Dorsey by providing hot meals, as well as access to laundry, showers and a food and clothing pantry.
In total, 89% of the funds we receive directly support our programs that help people in our community. Now more than ever we need your help. We are helping more people than ever before who are suffering from food insecurity, financial concerns, mental health distress and homelessness. Your donation truly changes lives.
Joe Eldred joined Grassroots in 2023 as director of Homeless Services where he oversees the emergency shelter programs and the Grassroots Day Resource Center. He started his career in homeless services nearly 20 years ago, having previously worked in education, after participating in a homeless count in Seattle. He has held every position in affordable housing from Onsite Property Manager to Director of Housing and Property Management.
Over his years, Joe has run all types of housing offerings including those for individuals experiencing homelessness and substance use issues, seniors, farm workers, and those with disabilities and HIV/AIDS. He has also worked with many different types of funding programs including HUD, PRAC 202, PRAC 811, USDA Rural Housing funds and funding services designed to break the cycle of homelessness like Continuum of Care and the Maryland Homelessness Solutions Program. Joe has had the opportunity to see how housing programs differ throughout the country, working in Seattle, Chicago, Harrisburg, PA and Ventura, CA, among others.
Nancy Campbell supervises the operations of Grassroots, including HR, finance, emergency shelter, homeless services, case management and facilities. She has more than 30 years of experience in managing organizations’ operations activities, mostly in the human services field.
Community support is a passion for Nancy. She feels that mental health and homelessness often co-occur, and her goal is to develop strong strategic plans that meet the needs of Grassroots’ clients. She looks to make a difference by effectively working with our programs and staff to explore what we can offer to the community. She pays special focus on efforts that help individuals adjust while in the emergency shelter, as well as those that help them achieve stable housing. Nancy has her PMP, master’s degree in Psychology and MBA, and is currently in school to pursue a Doctorate in Leadership and Organizational Management.
Laura Willemin oversees all of the clinical and crisis services at Grassroots, including the crisis line, walk-in services, 988 crisis chat and text services, Mobile Crisis Team, substance use disorder program, urgent care mental health services and Outpatient Mental Health Clinic. She joined Grassroots in 2021 having previously served as manager of the Child and Adolescent Mobile Psychiatric Services for the Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington. She also worked in Prince George’s Child Protective Services, ensuring the safety and wellbeing of children in the community.
Laura’s career has been concentrated in intense, fast-paced, high-acuity, safety-related and high-risk areas of practice. She appreciates the opportunity to support individuals and families during the most difficult or intense circumstances they may experience through the lifespan. She has a bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Social Work and is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW-C).