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Thank You For Your Support!

There has been an outpouring of support for Grassroots in the last couple of months, so we are devoting this post to thanking our generous contributors.

Service Van

A special “thank you” to George and Shahra Toth, members of the Christ Episcopal Church Outreach Commission, for their efforts in creating a successful matching-fund campaign to acquire a service van to assist transport of Grassroots clients at the Day Resource Center.  With their support, $20,000 has been raised.  We thank them for their generosity and leadership.

 

Safe Space

Grassroots has been awarded a $30,000 grant from The Horizon Foundation to create a “Safe Space” for LBGTQ youth and to train partners and fellow providers about best practices in working with youth who are coming out, transitioning or struggling with their gender or sexual identity or orientation.

Empty Bowls

The Bet Avid Sisterhood at The Meeting House in Columbia raised $850 at an Empty Bowls event to benefit Grassroots.

 

Rocking for Grassroots

The Covenant Band recently presented “7 Decades of Rock” benefit concert at The Church at Covenant Park in Ellicott City. The event raised over $2,500. Meeting at the show were (from l.) band members Kevin Suffecool and Paul Marshall, Anna Katz of Grassroots and band member Jonathan Crow.

Breakfast Food

Howard County Councilmember Calvin Ball led a drive to observe National Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week with the “Breakfast for Grassroots” campaign to feed shelter residents.  Also assisting were Matt Madera, Facility Director at North Laurel Community Center and Park, and Lori Conforti, Teens’ Instructor and Research Specialist at the Glenwood Branch Library and other members of the Horizon Community Councils. Hundreds of cans of coffee, boxes of cereal and other items were collected. Accepting food donations from Councilmember Ball was Grassroots Executive Director Ayesha Holmes.

 

Shakespearian Tea

The National Art Honor Society and the Art Club at Marriotts Ridge High School raised $300 at a Shakespearian Tea to benefit Grassroots. Attendees received a hand-made tea cup, homemade sweet and savory treats made by both the National Arts Honor Society and the school’s Culinary Arts Department. Among those at the tea were (seated from l.) Maia Dunchak, Erica Johnson, Alyssa and Jen Theimer.  Servers were Emmy Mako and Bisma Awan. At the back table is Fan Zhand, server Nina Wyckoff and guest Jacqueline Lewis.

 

Holiday Food & Wine Tasting

Almost $8,000 was raised at the 3rd Annual Women Leaders for Grassroots Holiday Food and Wine Tasting hosted by Whole Foods Market Columbia, which donated the space and the food.  Decanter Fine Wines donated the wines for sampling.  Presenting sponsors included Lisa Hussman, Jean Moon of Jean Moon & Associates and Barb Van Winkle of Nancy Adams Personnel. Applauding event speaker Shanell Harris at the event were (from l.) Libby Boswell, Esen Paradiso, Andrea Ingram, Kathy Flanagan, Sandi Berman, Courtney Moon and Carolyn Kelemen.

Suicide Prevention Benefit

The 3rd Annual Spin in the City fundraiser at Quest Fitness to benefit the Grassroots hotline and suicide prevention services generated over $6,000.  Sponsors included Elaine Gossage State Farm, Aziza Doumani Reiki & Wellness,  Decisive Communications, Dorsey Homes, Katherine Farrell, Katrina Tagget Memorial Fund, Bob Lucido Team of Keller Williams, MCCS Fund, Jean Moon & Associates, Neubauer’s Auto Repair, and West End Service, Inc.  In-kind sponsors included Bristol Sounds DeeJays, Carrabba’s, Classic Catering, Grand Rental, Maggiano’s, Maggio Family, Rowe Family, Quest Fitness, and Whole Foods Market Columbia.  Participants included (from l.) Terri Doan, Beth Connor, Debbie Stout, Andrea Dorsey, Chelsea Keane, Wendy Rumrill, and Linda Zacharias.

 

Breakfast with Santa

Youngsters, their parents and grandparents had a wonderful time at two sold-out “Breakfast with Santa” events presented as a benefit for Grassroots by Seasons 52 restaurant at The Mall in Columbia, which provided Santa, hostess Miss Julie and gifts for attendees.  The Pandora store donated a bracelet with charms for a raffle. Student volunteers from Howard County high schools, pictured with Santa, served as greeters and wait staff.


Shake Shack

Opening Shake Shack, which calls itself a “modern day roadside burger stand,” hosted an invitation-only preview before opening its new store at The Mall in Columbia and encouraged guests and staff members to make contributions to Grassroots. Over $6,400 was raised. Bob Lopes is the general manager of Shake Shack.

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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).