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SHIP of Frederick County

Become A SHIPmateMake a difference in a child’s life.

Laurie Robb

Student Success: Kenneth

This is the story of Kenneth. In September, he experienced the devastating loss of his mom, who had been battling a serious illness. Leading up to the loss, Kenneth had been their caretaker, while living in a hotel with them and a younger sister in the 5th grade. Kenneth was responsible for all aspects of care and care coordination for his mom, and he and his sister swapped days to be present when home healthcare arrived to assist with a few hours of care per week. This fall, Kenneth turned 18 and entered his senior year of high school, and said goodbye to his mom.
This event deeply impacted his sense of stability and future planning. In the months that followed, Kenneth was forced to take on the responsibility of working to help pay all expenses. Understandably, college planning began to feel out of reach.
When approached about completing the FAFSA, Kenneth was initially resistant, expressing that there was no point. He shared that college no longer felt like an option given their current circumstances and financial responsibilities. Beneath this hesitation was a deep sense of grief, hopelessness, and the pressure of stepping into an adult role far too soon.
Each week, a FAFSA mentor checked in, and offered support with the financial aid application, yet each week Kenneth denied assistance, until last week. Kenneth arrived at his case management visit and agreed to begin the process of filling out the application. He made a login, verified his account, and started a needs assessment.
While he is still in the process of completing the application, we are happy to share that he has taken the first step. He also started talking about enrolling in one class at Frederick Community College this fall, a photography course. This plan allows Kennetht to remain connected to their educational goals while moving at a pace that honors their current responsibilities. At the same time, they will continue working full-time to support their sibling, who will be entering middle school in the fall.
This path may look different from that of their peers, but it reflects resilience, intentionality, and a deep commitment to both family and future.
Through consistent, compassionate support, the case manager and FAFSA mentor created space for both emotional processing and practical guidance. Rather than pushing the process, they helped the student reframe the FAFSA as a tool for future flexibility. Step by step, the student began to re-engage, learning about their eligibility as an independent student and exploring options that could fit their current life.

Student Success: Bobby’s Story

Bobby, a 16-year-old student with an intellectual disability, was struggling in school. He had also recently lost his housing due to a house fire, and this caused a significant amount of grief, worry, and sometimes even anger. Bobby’s school counselor noticed he was yelling, refusing to engage in class activities, and leaving class without permission. She recognized his trauma and the need for support, and through the Consortium grant, Bobby was referred to SHIP of Frederick County.
Upon referral, he was paired with a case manager trained in motivational interviewing and behavior regulation strategies.  The case manager did an assessment with Bobby and together they worked on a plan for Bobby to receive 1: 1 case management services in school. Bobby was amenable to services and attended case management regularly. He also set some goals, such as learning his mom’s phone number in case of an emergency. Bobby continued in case management through the school year, but his support didn’t stop there.
Over the summer, Bobby attended the New Horizons Summer Academy and continued to work with his case manager every day.  The case manager introduced connect-the-dots puzzles to help with sustained focus and a sticker book about airplanes to reinforce positive behaviors.  She also taught Bobby to rate his feelings on a scale of 1–10.  With time, Bobby learned to verbalize his emotions instead of acting out, saying things like, “I’m at a 7 right now, I need a break,” and requesting to look at his sticker book instead of running from the classroom. Once Bobby was calm and feeling himself, the case manager used flash cards to teach Bobby his mom’s phone number. A calm mind and heart were all Bobby needed to focus on learning.

After summer break, Bobby’s teachers reported on a follow-up assessment. They observed a notable decrease in classroom disruptions and an increase in his ability to stay engaged.  Bobby is also proud to share that his “sticker airplane is finished,” a symbol of the self-control and confidence he built with support from the Consortium grant. He has also memorized his mom’s phone number, a significant life skill related to safety and connection.

Student Success: Sage

Have you ever had a tiny piece of popcorn wedge itself into a tooth and completely ruin your day, only to feel instant relief the moment you finally get it out with floss? That sharp, nagging pain that won’t let you think about anything else? We have a story for you about teeth, determination, and a student who refused to let pain stand in the way of her education.

In September of 2025, we met Sage.

Sage came to SHIP through her McKinney-Vento liaison, who noticed her attendance was slipping. Since moving to Frederick from New York, Sage had been missing two to three days of school each week. Her records did not show any major red flags. When asked, Sage shared that she often had headaches and stayed home when the pain became too much. Like many students experiencing homelessness, Sage had learned to push through discomfort and keep quiet about what she was really feeling. But she had a goal. She wanted to improve her attendance so she could pass her classes this semester.

Her case manager started by exploring common causes of chronic headaches among students who lack access to routine healthcare. One of the most frequent issues we see is undiagnosed vision problems. Many of our students need glasses but cannot afford an exam or frames.

So the first step was an eye exam. Sure enough, Sage did need glasses, and she received them through a community partnership. For a moment, it seemed like things were on the right track. But even with her new glasses, the headaches continued. During a case management visit, Sage finally described the pain more clearly. It started at her temple, traveled down her jaw, and sometimes made it hard to eat. That raised an important question. What if the pain was not coming from her head at all? What if it was coming from a tooth? Her case manager helped Sage schedule an appointment at our local dental clinic.

That visit changed everything.

The dentist discovered that Sage had eight cavities, two of them nearly beyond repair. Sage shared that she had not seen a dentist since she was eight years old, around the time both of her parents became incarcerated. For years, routine dental care had not been an option.

With the support of her SHIP case manager and our dental clinic partner, Sage began treatment right away. This fall, she had six fillings completed. Last week, she finished her final two fillings and was officially cleared. She does not need to return for another six months.

No more temple pain. No more jaw pain. No more staying home because it hurts too much to sit in class. Today, Sage is attending school consistently and is on track to meet her goal of improving her attendance and passing her classes this semester.

Sometimes it is not just a missing assignment or a late bus that keeps a student out of school. Sometimes it is a toothache that has been quietly wreaking havoc for years. And sometimes, all it takes is the right support, the right partnership, and someone who believes that relief is possible. Sage believed in her goal. We believed in her. And now she is smiling, pain-free, and back in class where she belongs.

A Message from our student: Crystal

“I’m 22, and for a long-time life felt like one challenge after another. Before joining the SHIP Youth Program, I faced heartbreaking losses, including family and friends, while also having experienced a miscarriage. Without support, I slipped into depression and serious health issues while trying to survive homelessness. I couch-surfed, carried everything I owned in one backpack, and often went days without a shower or a safe place to sleep. Everything changed when I connected with SHIP. For the first time, I felt seen, supported, and safe.

SHIP helped me find stable housing, supported me while I searched for a job, and even helped me furnish my space with essentials—food, clothes, and my very first bed.

Once I moved into my apartment, the relief was overwhelming. SHIP continued to support me with rent and college expenses, giving me the foundation I needed to rebuild my life. And recently… I got my first car. Something I never imagined was possible. With stability came healing. I’m no longer the girl who felt scared and alone.

Today I manage my money, pay my bills on time, take care of my health, cook meals, and spend time in nature. I’ve become stronger, more loving, and more resilient than I ever thought I could be. SHIP didn’t just change my circumstances—they changed my life.

 

To anyone reading this:

Nothing stays the same. Better days will come.

Believe in yourself, stay open to support, and don’t let anyone define your worth.

You are capable of so much more than you think. Since joining SHIP, I truly feel more carefree and hopeful, like I can finally breathe again.”

 

– Crystal M.

Thrive Housing Network Student

Student Success Story: Marsha’s story of strength and hope

Marsha started working with SHIP in the fall of her junior year, during a time when life shifted unexpectedly. She suddenly found herself without stable housing when her only guardian passed away in a car accident, leaving her to couch surf with friends as she planned her uncertain future. She was referred to our program by her McKinney-Vento Liaison, who recognized how critical immediate support would be. In addition to experiencing loss, grief, and homelessness, Marsha was also expecting a baby. 

 

From the very beginning, SHIP stepped in to provide basic needs for Marsha, including food, hygiene supplies, and steady case management for her to remain connected to education. The case manager also worked to connect Marsha with community resources focused on pregnancy and postpartum planning. Together, they met weekly at school, where the case manager provided consistent encouragement while helping her stay on track academically. They worked through her classes, checked homework and assignments, monitored her progress, and made sure she had every opportunity to continue toward completing her high school education. 

 

In the summer of 2025, Marsha successfully completed the New Horizons Summer Academy, a major milestone on her journey and soon after, she welcomed her beautiful baby boy, Myles. Because of the thoughtful postpartum plan she created alongside her case manager, Marsha was able to take the time she needed to rest and recover. Her plan included connections to healthcare, emotional support and counseling, and essential resources such as clothing, diapers, and formula for little Myles. He had everything needed for a fantastic start. 

 

But Marsha’s story does not end there. 

 

With careful planning and ongoing support from her case manager and school counselor, Marsha continued to move forward with her education. Today, she has made the courageous decision to return to school full-time, in person, with the goal of graduating in May 2026. Balancing motherhood, housing instability, and school has not been easy, but Marsha’s determination, resilience, and commitment to her future continue to shine through. 

 

Marsha and Myles’ story is one of perseverance, planning, and the power of community support. With steady guidance and unwavering belief in her potential, Marsha is building a future not only for herself, but for her son, one step at a time. When asked about her greatest gift this holiday season, Marsha immediately replied “Myles of course, but also the opportunity to finish my education so he and I can go places one day!” 

Student Success Story: Sandra’s Opportunity to Rise

 

Nobody knows opportunity better than Sandra. At just 17 years old, she was diagnosed with cancer in situ, a localized and treatable form of cancer. The diagnosis was serious but caught early, giving her hope that with care and consistency, she could recover fully.

At the same time, Sandra had no stable home or living parent, making her an unaccompanied homeless youth. She moved between friends’ couches, juggling medical appointments, school responsibilities, and the uncertainty of each day. Even in these difficult circumstances, Sandra stayed focused on her goals and her future.

Sandra also faced out-of-pocket medical expenses that were not covered by insurance. SHIP was able to secure funding to help pay some of these medical bills and ensure she had access to ongoing follow-up care, allowing her to focus on her recovery and education without the constant worry of financial strain.

Once back in school, Sandra began to thrive. Her teachers provided flexible support, and she worked hard to keep up with assignments even during recovery. That summer, she attended SHIP’s New Horizons Summer Academy, where she earned credit toward graduation, gained new friendships, and rediscovered her confidence.

Now, one year later, Sandra is a senior. Her cancer remains in remission, and she is attending school consistently, exploring college options, and looking forward to walking across the stage in May. She truly got the opportunity of a lifetime.

 

And just a heads up! If you see our case managers wearing a pink ribbon on their lanyard, you can remember Sandra’s story, how she fought for her health, her education, and her opportunity to rise with SHIP alongside every step of the way!

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