Grassroots depends upon the generosity of the community to meet the needs of the people we serve. Volunteering at Grassroots is an excellent opportunity to engage with the community and support individuals and families who are receiving support. You will truly make a difference!
We are so thankful to our volunteers who selflessly share their time and energy in order to support individuals and families in their times of need. In Fiscal Year 2025, Grassroots was so lucky to have benefited from the compassion of more than 1,232 volunteers who shared 10,000 hours of their time.
We are so thankful for your support. Please note all volunteers are required to show proof of COVID vaccinations and the date of a recent flu vaccination for positions at our crisis center, emergency shelter and Day Resource Center at Leola Dorsey. A background check is also required for volunteers at the crisis center and emergency shelter. Masks may be required depending on health conditions in the state of Maryland.
If you are interested in a position, please fill out an application. The minimum age to volunteer at the Crisis Center is 15. The minimum age to volunteer at the Day Resource Center at Leola Dorsey is 18. Volunteers for the Day Resource Center can contact Kathy Piet at kathyp@grassrootscrisis.org.
Location: 8990 Old Annapolis Rd, Suite A, Columbia MD
Pantry Organizer: Help sort and organize nonperishable food items and hygiene items for community members assisted by the crisis team
Openings: Currently only short-term positions are available on an as-needed basis
*Volunteers must be 15 years and over.
Location: 6700 Freetown Rd, Columbia MD
Greeters/Clerical: Volunteers are needed Monday through Friday at our Emergency Shelter to greet visitors and guests, accept donations, answer phones and help with office tasks.
Openings: Various shifts between 7a-3p
*Volunteers must be 15 years and over.
Location: 10390 Guilford Rd, Suite A, Jessup MD
Positions: Volunteers are cross-trained to work in the pantry, shower and laundry areas. All volunteers have direct contact with our guests. *Volunteers must be 18 years and over.
Openings: Mondays and Wednesdays, 1:30-6 p.m. Saturdays, 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m.
We prefer volunteers to be available every week but we can be flexible. These opportunities are perfect for college students to retirees.
Joe Eldred joined Grassroots in 2023 as director of Homeless Services where he oversees the emergency shelter programs and the Grassroots Day Resource Center. He started his career in homeless services nearly 20 years ago, having previously worked in education, after participating in a homeless count in Seattle. He has held every position in affordable housing from Onsite Property Manager to Director of Housing and Property Management.
Over his years, Joe has run all types of housing offerings including those for individuals experiencing homelessness and substance use issues, seniors, farm workers, and those with disabilities and HIV/AIDS. He has also worked with many different types of funding programs including HUD, PRAC 202, PRAC 811, USDA Rural Housing funds and funding services designed to break the cycle of homelessness like Continuum of Care and the Maryland Homelessness Solutions Program. Joe has had the opportunity to see how housing programs differ throughout the country, working in Seattle, Chicago, Harrisburg, PA and Ventura, CA, among others.
Nancy Campbell supervises the operations of Grassroots, including HR, finance, emergency shelter, homeless services, case management and facilities. She has more than 30 years of experience in managing organizations’ operations activities, mostly in the human services field.
Community support is a passion for Nancy. She feels that mental health and homelessness often co-occur, and her goal is to develop strong strategic plans that meet the needs of Grassroots’ clients. She looks to make a difference by effectively working with our programs and staff to explore what we can offer to the community. She pays special focus on efforts that help individuals adjust while in the emergency shelter, as well as those that help them achieve stable housing. Nancy has her PMP, master’s degree in Psychology and MBA, and is currently in school to pursue a Doctorate in Leadership and Organizational Management.
Laura Willemin oversees all of the clinical and crisis services at Grassroots, including the crisis line, walk-in services, 988 crisis chat and text services, Mobile Crisis Team, substance use disorder program, urgent care mental health services and Outpatient Mental Health Clinic. She joined Grassroots in 2021 having previously served as manager of the Child and Adolescent Mobile Psychiatric Services for the Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington. She also worked in Prince George’s Child Protective Services, ensuring the safety and wellbeing of children in the community.
Laura’s career has been concentrated in intense, fast-paced, high-acuity, safety-related and high-risk areas of practice. She appreciates the opportunity to support individuals and families during the most difficult or intense circumstances they may experience through the lifespan. She has a bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Social Work and is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW-C).