Women Leaders Raise $32,000 for Grassroots Crisis Intervention

The 6th Annual Women Leaders for Grassroots benefit raised almost $32,000 for Grassroots, Howard County 24-hour crisis intervention center and emergency shelter. Over 100 women sponsored the virtual fundraiser.

Presenting sponsors included Rochelle Michaux Conway, Kirsten Coombs, Ellen Flynn Giles and Alice Giles, The Howard Hughes Corporation, Lisa Hussman, Lisa Kittleman, The Mall in Columbia, Courtney Moon, Jean F. Moon, Mary Kay Sigaty, Elizabeth M. Singleton, Robin Steele, and Barb Van Winkle.

Grassroots Executive Director Dr. Mariana Izraelson provided an update on activities at Grassroots during the COVID-19 pandemic. The program also featured remarks by Felisha Wilson, a former client of Grassroots; Wilde Lake High School Principal Marcy Leonard and Hammond High School junior Uma Ribeiro.

Izraelson chose to share stories of women who had used Grassroots services during the past year. She noted that over 20,000 calls had been received by the crisis intervention center since July. Of those calls, 1 in 15 was about financial and housing crisis, 1 in 10 was about substance use, and 1 in 20 was from people thinking about taking their own lives.

“You probably have a safety net,” Izraelson told the women watching and listening to her speak. “The people who call Grassroots are without that kind of support. They have few personal resources other than their own sense of self-preservation and determination to provide a better life for their children.”

Cited hotline callers included a 16-year-old who was harming herself, a grandmother heading a family of 7 who didn’t earn enough to pay her bills, a 25-year-old mother of two who was fleeing intimate partner violence, and a woman, her child and disabled relative who were living in their car.

“You could say that Grassroots sees and hears people when they are at their most despairing, where they are desperate and frightened about the future,” Izraelson said. “This is what we do with your help and without your support this would not be possible.”

Wilson noted that her tenure at Grassroots had allowed her to get back on her feet after she and her son lost their housing when the grandmother Wilson was caring for died. “I stayed on top of my goals, paperwork, phone calls and was determined that I would do everything in my power to move forward,” she said. “Thank you, Grassroots, management and staff, for taking care and loving my son and I during our time of need.”

Leonard’s presentation, “The Power of Yes, And,” focused on leadership and equity. Debunking earlier models, Leonard called upon women leaders seeking change in society today to listen to, learn from and lead with others and also question spaces where voices are not being heard that should be heard. Her presentation included definitions of diversity, equity and inclusion and a call for justice.

Ribeiro’s remarks, “From Family to Feminism: The Women Who Inspire Me,” focused on her personal history of having inspiring role models. She noted her multi-ethnic ancestry and the legacy of “a strong work ethic.” Her advocacy has been motivated by the example of others, as well as concerns for a younger sister. “I want to see her live in a world free of gender inequality and misogynistic stereotypes and a world where women can feel safe,” she said.

Grassroots clients are disproportionally women. “You are giving women and their families a second chance through your support,” Izraelson told the event attendees. “You are giving desperate women hope that they can improve their lives and the lives of their children. You are giving your neighbors the stability and security they need in order to change.”

About Grassroots

Grassroots provides the county’s only emergency shelter and 24-hour crisis intervention, suicide prevention, and support for individuals and families with a mental health, substance use or homelessness crisis. During the last year, Grassroots served 485 people in its emergency shelter programs and 921 individuals at the Grassroots Day Resource Center, handled 37,903 calls to its Hotline, and made 2,656 face-to-face contacts. The Mobile Crisis Team made 857 community responses, and 163 clients were enrolled in the Substance Use Treatment program. Grassroots is located on Freetown Road in Columbia. For information, call 410-531-6006, or visit www.grassrootscrisis.org.