Our Shelter Programs.

Grassroots operates the only general emergency shelter in Howard County at 6700 Freetown Road in Columbia, MD.  The program has 33 beds for families and single adult women experiencing a shelter crisis.

All clients are accepted into the emergency shelter program on a provisional basis for a period of no more than three months. Each resident is assigned a case manager who works with them to develop a case plan designed to address their particular needs and challenges. Prior to the end of their 3-month stay, residents may apply for transitional shelter status which would allow a continuing stay for up to an additional 15 months. Acceptance into transitional status is dependent on the resident’s progress achieving the goals in their case plan (such as getting a job, saving money, attending addictions treatment, applying for benefits for which they may be eligible, meeting regularly with their case manager, etc.), their ability to function cooperatively in the group living setting, and their adherence to basic shelter guidelines.

Housing alone does not resolve the cycle of homelessness for the majority of our residents.  Staff also provide supportive counseling; assistance in seeking jobs and apartments; help with budgeting and parenting skills; and referral for mental health services, social services, or addictions treatment.  Transportation and limited financial assistance are also available.

 

As a back-up to Emergency Shelter, Grassroots has a capacity to house up to five families for up to fifteen days in motel when the shelter is full and there are no immediate alternatives. Staff work intensively with these families to help them find more permanent arrangements including other shelter, their own apartment, or relocating to be with family members or friends.

The  Randy Sands Men’s Shelter can serve up to 18 single adult men. The program serves about 55 - 75 men per year. Each resident has a primary counselor or case manager and an individualized case plan which could include employment, a savings plan, addictions treatment, psychiatric treatment, training or GED, and debt management.  All of the support services available to families are also provided to our male residents. The structure of emergency and transitional status applies to the men’s shelter as well.

 

The cold weather shelter is a partnership with the faith community and Howard County government which provides overflow shelter from November through March. Congregations host the shelter for one or two weeks and provide volunteers for transportation, meals, laundry and to work shifts in the shelter. Grassroots provides administrative coordination and a staff person to act as the team leader during the hours that the shelter is open.  For more information on the Cold Weather Shelter program, please contact Anna Katz, the CWS Coordinator at 410-531-6006 or .

 

 

Day Resource Center

The Day Resource Center is located at 8826 Washington Blvd. in Jessup and is open 3 days a week. The Center provides meals, showers, limited laundry, fellowship and other social services to homeless individuals in the Howard County Route 1 corridor.   For more information on this new center visit the the Day Center's  web site http://www.daycenter.org or call the business line at 410-531-6006.