Grassroots Celebrates Andrea Ingram's 25th Anniversary

Grassroots’ Andrea Ingram Honored at Reception

Executive Director Andrea Ingram recently celebrated 25 years with Grassroots at a reception in her honor. Hosted by the Grassroots Board of Directors, the event brought out 150 friends and colleagues, who praised Ingram’s leadership, accomplishments and character. Bach and Bob Jeffrey, Beverly and Steve Koren and Ellen and Pat Kennedy sponsored the celebration.

County Council Vice Chair Courtney Watson, one of the event speakers, pointed out that Ingram “is known and respected for her outstanding and often courageous leadership in advocating for those who frequently have few advocates.”

Widely recognized in the non-profit community, Ingram is a member of the County’s Board to Promote Self-sufficiency, the Downtown Columbia Housing Corporation Board, and several County task forces. She has served as President of the Association of Community Services, Co-Chaired the Local Board on Homelessness and served on the United Way Community Partnerships Board, among other activities.

Ingram has been the recipient of numerous awards and recognition for her leadership and service to the community. She was presented the Leadership Howard County Distinguished Alumni Award in 2006, recognized with the Audrey Robbins Humanitarian Award in 2003 and was inducted in the Howard County Women’s Hall of Fame in 2004.

Grassroots provides the county’s only emergency shelter and 24-hour crisis intervention services. Professional crisis counselors staff Grassroots’ 24-hour hotline; see walk-in clients in need of immediate counseling; and operate the Mobile Crisis Team, which responds with the police to community emergencies. Grassroots also manages the county’s emergency shelter for men, women and families who are homeless and serves as the single point of entry for the Coordinated System of Homeless Services. In addition, Grassroots operates the Day Resource Center and manages the Cold Weather Shelter during the winter months.

Andrea Ingram’s 25th Anniversary as Executive Director of Grassroots featured remarks by (from l.) Board President Mary Lasky, County Council Vice Chair Courtney Watson, Director of Howard County Department of Citizen Services Lois Mikkila, Executive Director of the Howard County Mental Health Authority Donna Wells, Andrea Ingram, Past Board President Jeff Kassman, Board member Tim Samuel, Police Chief Gary Gardner and Grassroots Deputy Director Deb Popiel. ϵ&F=46