Grassroots Crisis Intervention Donation Drive

Grassroots Crisis Intervention is a 24/7 single point access for behavioral health, crisis, and homeless services for individuals and families. They have a 24-hour crisis hotline, crisis chat links, a walk-in counseling program, substance use disorder screening, survivors of suicide loss support group, and a mobile crisis team who respond in partnership with the police department to psychiatric emergencies, family crises, and other traumatic events in the community. 

Grassroots operates a 33-bed emergency family shelter, and an 18-bed men’s shelter, and can house up to five families short-term in motel shelter.  They provide comprehensive support services with the goal of helping each individual or family achieve a positive resolution to their shelter crisis.

We are collecting non-perishables and hygiene products to help meet some of their current needs.

They are also in needs of gift cards in increments of $25 or $50 from Walmart, Target, Amazon, Giant Food, Safeway, Aldi, Weis Markets, and gas station gift cards (physical gift cards only, no digital cards).

You can drop your donation off at any Columbia Academy campus between November 29th and December 10th.

Hotline Programs

Grassroots operates a 24-hour crisis intervention and supportive counseling hotline. Individuals may call for a variety of reasons including suicide, family and relationship problems, shelter needs, violent or threatening domestic situations, loneliness or depression, and chemical dependency issues, among others. Callers may remain anonymous. Callers can reach the Grassroots hotline at 410-531-6677. Grassroots hotline/walk-in programs also serve as the Single Point of Entry for Howard County’s Coordinated System of Homeless Services.

Callers from central MD can reach through Maryland’s Helpline by calling 211 and pressing 1, texting your zip code to 898-211, or visiting 211md.org. Additional information about the Maryland Helpline can be found on their website.

Callers from any state can reach a crisis counselor by calling Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

Crisis Chat Links:

Click through the links and follow instructions on landing pages.

• Maryland – M-F from 4-9 pm:   www.help4mdyouth.org/chat/
• Nationwide – 24/7:  www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/gethelp/lifelinechat.aspx

Walk-in Counseling Program

Anyone in need of immediate assistance may walk in to the agency at any time to see a counselor. An appointment is not needed to receive services. There is no fee for the service. Short term follow-up is offered until the client is connected with appropriate ongoing counseling or treatment resources. Walk-in counseling is geared towards the person or family in need of immediate support or crisis intervention services for a mental health, personal, situational or family crisis. They also operate a walk-in counseling program, and are the first point of contact in Howard County for homeless services.  The agency operates the Mobile Crisis Team, in partnership with Humanim, to respond with the Police to psychiatric emergencies and family crises in the community.  Special youth services include the Maryland Crisis Hotline, the Runaway Intervention Program, outreach and educational programs.  Staff also respond to requests from the community for crisis intervention services following a traumatic event.  The Crisis Intervention Service is certified by the American Association of Suicidology.