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Grassroots Celebrates Volunteers at Third Annual Volunteer Recognition Celebration

Grassroots was honored to celebrate our amazing volunteers last week at our Third Annual Volunteer Recognition Celebration! We had the opportunity to recognize the commitment they’ve made to serve those who are most in need in our community.

In Fiscal Year 2025, Grassroots was supported by an all-time high of 1,232 volunteers who gave 10,551 hours of their time to our organization and those we serve. Our volunteers served three meals a day during the Cold Weather Shelter, helped organize our pantry at the crisis center – a tall task when it was overflowing during the holiday season – and greeted our many emergency shelter guests with smiles and kind words. They also ensured that our visitors to the Day Resource Center at Leola Dorsey were able to compassionately and efficiently access critical services like hot meals, showers, laundry, food, clothing, case management and so much more with dignity.

Our volunteers have been at the heart of Grassroots since day one, more than 57 years ago. Our clients look for these special people when they visit each day, and they truly make a profound impact on their lives.

We also felt so fortunate to have the opportunity to hear from our clients about how our volunteers change their lives, as well as honor several of our amazing volunteers, including:
– John Gilbert who hosts monthly food drives
– Susan Gordon who hosted an amazing food drive for the Day Resource Center
– Michelle Yearwood who volunteers at the front desk of the DRC
– Jennifer Dunson, Barb Fasteau, Beth Harkins, Cindy Mumford, Laura Woods, Judy Robbins, April Wallace and Amanda Burgess who helped keep the DRC running during an especially busy time
– Frank Campbell, our resident handyman and Santa Claus
– Robin Balter and Karen Geiser, lobby greeters at the shelter
– St. Louis Catholic Church and St. Francis of Assisi Parish, which combined gave 235 hours of service from 102 volunteers during our Cold Weather Shelter
– Girl Scouts Troop 1508 who created our children’s counseling room

Thank you so much to all of our volunteers! We couldn’t do it without you! Click here to learn more about how to volunteer at Grassroots.

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Joe Eldred

Director of Homeless Services

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

Sr. Director of Operations & Corporate Compliance Officer

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, LCSW-C

Sr. Director of Clinical and Crisis Services

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).