By Adora Brown, WGC Student Intern

This year, we are proud to feature five (S)heroes Among Us who have led critical efforts on behalf of organizations that we have funded this year through our Emergency Response Network, who are focusing on widespread community needs affecting women, their families, and the broader community:

• Jen Broderick - Bridges to Housing Stability
• Erika Strauss Chavarria - Columbia Community Care
• Bita Dayhoff - Community Action Council
• Dr. Mariana Izraelson - Grassroots Crisis Intervention
• Vanita Leatherwood - HopeWorks of Howard County

The final (S)hero recognized this year is Vanita Leatherwood, the Executive Director of HopeWorks of Howard County. They are dedicated to providing comprehensive services to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and sexual abuse.
With help from the community, HopeWorks tackles the prevention of such violence by changing the attitudes and culture surrounding assault. This organization’s persistence through the pandemic has made a lasting impact on Howard County, and the passion begins with Vanita Leatherwood.

Vanita’s passion for giving back began during her time in college, where she fell in love with the Howard County community.

“Howard County was my first home where I felt safe. When I moved back years later it was a great feeling to do the work I love in a community that I love,” said Vanita.

Through HopeWorks, Vanita has continued to provide services and help to the community during the COVID-19 pandemic. There were many issues that arose due to the new virtual environment, but Vanita continued to serve those in need.

“All of our services and tasks needed to be transformed into virtual platforms. It was a massive feat of research, creating policies, acquiring new or upgraded technology and learning,” said Vanita. She added, “We brainstormed a lot to reach folks who did not have access to technology. Residential services, of course, cannot be virtual. There was a lot to be done to make our facilities safe for our clients and staff.”

Vanita grows optimistic about returning to a safe, in-person environment. She says, “I look forward to getting through the pandemic. We miss each other; staff and clients.”

And yet, despite these challenges, HopeWorks continues to grow and adjust.

“Our work is about healing and the pandemic has added another layer of challenges created by inequities. We continue to address the root causes of sexual and intimate partner violence as we battle COVID-19,” said Vanita.

By Adora Brown, WGC Student Intern
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The Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County is highlighting Howard County “(S)heroes Among Us” this year as part of our March 8, 2021 Virtual Annual Celebration. We believe that all women are (S)heroes in their own ways - women admired for their courage and outstanding achievements. 

This year, we are proud to feature five (S)heroes Among Us who have led critical efforts on behalf of organizations that we have funded this year through our Emergency Response Network, who are focusing on widespread community needs affecting women, their families, and the broader community:

• Jen Broderick - Bridges to Housing Stability
• Erika Strauss Chavarria - Columbia Community Care
• Bita Dayhoff - Community Action Council
• Dr. Mariana Izraelson - Grassroots Crisis Intervention
• Vanita Leatherwood - HopeWorks of Howard County

Recognized as a (S)hero this year is Dr. Mariana Izraelson, the Executive Director of Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center.  Grassroots is a 24-hour center for individuals and families in crisis. They help people with mental illness, give shelter to the homeless, and even provide community education. From their emergency family shelter to their multiple crisis hotlines, Grassroots has been serving citizens of Howard County in need since 1969.
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Dr. Izraelson has been working at Grassroots since October of 2020 following her time as Chief Executive Officer at La Comunidad Hispana in Pennsylvania.  The organization has undergone changes to keep essential workers safe and promote social distancing.

“Tremendous pressure was put upon dedicated and compassionate staff members to keep everyone safe while continuing to provide crisis services,” said Mariana. “Because we provide congregant housing for people who are homeless, our building underwent reconfiguration to divide common areas and double rooms into single rooms to maximize social isolation.”

Due to COVID-19 safety measures, a shift has been made from communal support to individual support. Dr. Izraelson hopes to return to their community-oriented culture in the near future. However, these changes have not stopped Grassroots from continuing to grow.  One of their primary focuses is on mental health support.