Category Archives: News

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We Love Our Volunteers!

Grassroots was so excited to host our first annual Volunteer Recognition Celebration. We honored our wonderful and dedicated volunteers who greet individuals who walk into our emergency shelter, help to organize the pantry at our crisis center, assist those who come to the Day Resource Center with things like laundry or showers, or ensure that individuals are supported through our Cold Weather Shelter.

In Fiscal Year 2023, Grassroots was so lucky to have benefited from the generosity of 600 volunteers who shared 8,600 hours of their time. That is nearly one volunteer hour for every hour that Grassroots operates as a 24-7 crisis center, emergency shelter and homeless support system.

We appreciated the support and kind words from our special guests, including County Executive Dr. Calvin Ball, County Council Chair Deb Jung and County Councilmember Christiana Mercer Rigby. Thank you also to our sponsor, KasCon

We love our volunteers – they truly make a difference, and we would not be able to do what we do without them!

Grassroots Awarded Major Accreditation

Grassroots Awarded Major Accreditation

Grassroots recently received a major accreditation from CARF International, the highest level of accreditation that can be awarded to mental health, crisis and substance use disorder programs. According to CARF, “this achievement is an indication of [our] organization’s dedication and commitment to improving the quality of life of persons to be served.” To receive the… Continue Reading

Chat with Us, 24-7

Chat with Us, 24-7

Grassroots now provides support to texters and chatters via 988 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. People contact 988 for a variety of reasons, including loneliness, anxiety/depression, relationship/family problems, financial issues, substance use, mental and physical illness, thoughts of suicide and more. Grassroots counselors answer chats and texts from individuals in Howard County… Continue Reading

Grassroots is Recognized for Changing Lives!

Recently, Grassroots was honored for its lifesaving work and expansion on four separate occasions. This month, Grassroots was recognized for our expansion of services to our new crisis center at 8990 OId Annapolis Road. We were presented with an honorary resolution by County Councilperson Opel Jones. It reads, in part: “[T]he County Council of Howard… Continue Reading

Grassroots Has Moved and Expanded Services!

Grassroots has moved its location in order to substantially expand its 24-hour crisis intervention, mental health, substance use disorder, housing support and suicide prevention services. This expansion helps Grassroots meet the increased demand for urgent and ongoing mental health and substance use disorder services in Howard County. Individuals are able to access enhanced free, 24-hour… Continue Reading

September is Suicide Prevention Month

In recognition of National Suicide Prevention Month – and every month – Grassroots Crisis Intervention encourages community members to learn how they can help individuals who might be feeling suicidal. The number #1 thing to know: Call Grassroots for help on our free, 24-hour crisis line at 410-531-6677. Crisis Line Callers can contact the Grassroots… Continue Reading

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. Outpouring Almost 600 volunteers provided services to Grassroots from July… Continue Reading

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