Alice’s Landing nonprofit addresses domestic violence, homelessness in Southern Maryland
After 30 years in the nonprofit world, Phyllis Trouard of Leonardtown was tired of waiting for a solution to the domestic violence and homelessness crises facing Southern Maryland. “A group of us were standing out in the parking lot, and somebody says, ‘You know, we can do better,’” she said. “It went from ‘we can do better’ to ‘let’s just do it.’” This past summer, Trouard founded Alice’s Landing, a nonprofit organization focused on providing domestic violence survivors and unhoused individuals with shelter and resources to heal and thrive. “The problem in Southern Maryland is you can’t knock on a door and get help,” she said. “There’s no place for domestic violence to go, and restraining orders don’t stop anybody.” While the organization looks for a space to operate, Trouard has begun providing services such as safe sleep classes, diaper deliveries and financial counseling. She is working with children of domestic violence survivors, because growing up in that environment can impact not only their mental health but their future relationships, she said. “I think what happens though is that you get to a point in life where you have to either go ‘OK, let’s step in and do something’ because
