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The 6th annual Women Leaders for Grassroots benefit is going online this year. Set for the Monday after Thanksgiving, Nov. 30, 5:30-6:30 p.m., the fundraiser features remarks by Executive Director Dr. Mariana Izraelson, who joined Grassroots last month. Also speaking will be a woman served by Grassroots. Sponsorships range from $1,000 to $75, and all proceeds fund programs and services for people on the edge. REGISTER HERE.
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Buy a Thanksgiving Dinner for a Family
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Most of us never worry about where our next meal is coming from nor where we will spend the night. Some of our neighbors, however, live with daily anxiety about providing for their families. Grassroots feeds and shelters those who have fallen through the safety net and helps them get on their feet again. During national Hunger and Homelessness Awareness week, Nov. 15-22, Grassroots is asking for financial donations to buy meals – including Thanksgiving dinner – for people in the shelter programs. You can buy a dinner for $6 for regular meals and $10 for a Thanksgiving meal. Donate here.
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Support the Cold Weather Shelter Program
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The Howard County Department of Community Services and Resources is partnering with Grassroots and local faith communities to provide an expanded Cold Weather Shelter Program for struggling individuals and families during the coming winter months. People are referred to the program when Grassroots’ shelter on Freetown Road is filled. The Cold Weather Shelter Program has been operating for 17 years and serves 60-80 people in a season
During this year’s pandemic, guests will be housed in a non-congregate shelter where Grassroots will help implement a cleaning regime to reduce the spread of the disease, and guests will be offered testing on site. Howard County Department of Community Services and Resources is funding the non-congregate space for the 17-week shelter program, and Grassroots has secured funding for 24-7 staffing for supervision, case management to complete housing applications, meal delivery, supplies and other expenses.
“These are unique circumstances, and County Executive Calvin Ball and Howard County Department of Community Services and Resources are leading the way in supporting the ‘best practices approach’ to assist individuals facing homelessness during a pandemic,” said Grassroots Executive Director Dr. Mariana Izraelson. “On behalf of our most vulnerable neighbors, we are grateful for this leadership and support,” she added.
Faith communities will provide three meals a day for guests of the Cold Weather Shelter. Other expenses, such as client transportation assistance, Chromebooks and other supplies for students, are supported by contributions. Donate here.
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The holidays won’t be the same for anyone this year, but you can help create special memories of the season for 80 families served by Grassroots. For safety reasons, holiday gifts from donors will be restricted to gift cards of $10, $20, $25 and $50 from Walmart, Target and Amazon. The cards will be distributed to families to do holiday shopping. If your family would like to share its blessings, you can mail gift cards to Grassroots, 6700 Freetown Rd., Columbia 21044, or you can call ahead, 410-531-6006, for a contactless drop off. The deadline is Dec. 15. More information is available here.
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Online Training and Support Sessions
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QPR Training QPR stands for Question, Persuade and Refer — the 3 simple steps anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide. Just as people trained in CPR and the Heimlich Maneuver help save thousands of lives each year, people trained in QPR learn how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade and refer someone to help.
- Nov. 17 • 7-8:30 p.m. This session is sponsored by the Mount Hebron PTSA and is geared toward youth suicide prevention and intended for youth ages 13 & up and their families.
- Nov. 18 • 7:30-9:00 p.m. This session is intended for adult learners who want information about adult suicide prevention.
- Nov. 30 • 6:30-8:00 PM This session is intended for youth ages 13 & up and their families.
Teen Support After Suicide Loss Designed for youth aged 13-17 who've been affected by suicide loss and need additional support and a safe space to process, this closed, non-clinical-based support group will meet online Tuesdays in December, 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The group is intended for youth who have been impacted by a suicide loss whether a family member, friends or someone they were exposed to within the community. Registration and family intake must be completed to attend the group. Click here to learn more and to register for the series.
Safe Space Grassroots will offer a virtual Safe Space training session on Wednesday, December 9, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Safe Space was designed by Grassroots as a suicide prevention and intervention model that focuses on the LGBTQ+ population and their increased risk for suicide. The training program combines cultural competence with prevention and intervention strategies to reduce stigma, reduce suicidality, and ultimately save lives. Click here for more information and to register for the session.
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Are You a Friend of Grassroots?
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Are you a donor to Grassroots? Have you made a gift this year? Grassroots depends upon the generosity of individuals, organizations and businesses in the community to support its free services to people in crisis, to help provide the 24-7 hotline and suicide prevention efforts, round-the-clock personal counseling, Mobile Crisis Team, the shelter programs and other activities to help people achieve a positive resolution to their crisis situation. Please make a gift to Grassroots today. Any size gift is welcome. If you can afford $50 or more per month, consider joining The Friends of Grassroots who donate $600 or more per year. Thank you for your support.
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