Lizbeth Rios first learned of Mutual Ground while pursuing her undergraduate degree in social work at Aurora University. Lizbeth and some of her classmates toured the historic mansion that houses Mutual Ground and its emergency shelter and spent time organizing clothes in Miss Fannie’s Room, a clothing closet named after a longtime volunteer. Lizbeth felt a connection with the organization and began volunteering on a regular basis caring for children—playing with and reading to them and putting them down for naps—while their parents or caretakers attended group therapy sessions.