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SHIP of Frederick County

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Laurie Robb

Student Success Story: KJ

My name is KJ, and I’ve been working with SHIP since January of my senior year. Before that, stability was something I didn’t always know. My journey was shaped by housing instability, responsibility, and learning how to keep going even when life felt heavy.
Growing up, I often had to be more than a child. I stepped into responsibilities far beyond my years, trying to support my family, protect the people I loved, keep my grades up, compete as an athlete, and work to help meet basic needs. For a long time, I believed strength meant carrying everything alone. Eventually, I learned that true strength is knowing when to accept support.
By January 2025, things had reached a breaking point. Thankfully, my school counselor saw through the mask I was wearing and connected me with SHIP of Frederick County. They met me where I was and helped me begin again.
SHIP didn’t just offer resources; they offered hope. They helped me navigate FAFSA, connected me with opportunities, supported my basic needs, helped me secure housing through the host home program, and eventually guided me toward signing a lease for my own apartment and starting college in the fall of 2025. Through the SCG program, I even received a car, giving me the freedom and independence I had been working toward.
Because people believed in me, doors opened. I found new opportunities, new confidence, and peace I had been searching for. I learned that healing is possible, growth is real, and your past does not define your future.
To anyone struggling right now: your roots do not define your ceiling, and someone else’s timeline does not define your journey. Keep moving forward. Even when life feels overwhelming, progress is still possible one step at a time.
I’m not just pursuing success for myself. I want to create a path for those coming behind me. I am deeply grateful for SHIP and for every person who encouraged me along the way. You never know how far one word of support can go. Thank you for helping me find my way.

Press Release: 61 SHIP Students Experiencing Homelessness Graduate from FCPS

61 SHIP Students Experiencing Homelessness Graduate from FCPS

47 Students Will Attend College or Trade Program for Free

Frederick, MD – As the 2025–2026 school year comes to a close, the Student Homelessness Initiative Partnership (SHIP) of Frederick County is proud to celebrate the achievements of 61 graduating seniors who completed their high school education while participating in SHIP programs and services.

SHIP supports youth who are experiencing homelessness through three core programs: New Horizons, Thrive Housing Network, and Basic Material Needs. The New Horizons program provides educational support and case management for students within Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS). Thrive Housing Network offers temporary housing placements for youth while they continue their education. SHIP’s Basic Needs program provides access to essential resources, including food, clothing, and hygiene products.

Throughout the school year, students work closely with SHIP case managers to achieve personal goals and eliminate barriers that could cause them to leave school before graduating.

SHIP supported 61 FCPS seniors in reaching the graduation stage this year.

Following graduation, students have shared their plans:

● 42 students will attend a college or university in Fall 2026

● 5 students will enter apprenticeships or trade programs

● 1 student has enlisted in the military

The Class of 2026 has also secured significant financial support to continue their education. SHIP’s dedicated FAFSA mentors worked one on one with students to ensure that every senior experiencing homelessness accessed financial aid and applied to at least two post-secondary education programs. This school year, SHIP helped the 47 college and trade-bound students receive more than $830,000 in financial aid awards through completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and scholarship opportunities.

 

All 47 students will attend post-secondary education with a $0 tuition cost, meaning 100% of the SHIP students who chose college or trades are getting that education for free.

Of those 47 students, 12 are attending a four-year institution and have received full-ride financial aid packages covering tuition, housing, meal plans, and additional educational expenses, removing many of the financial barriers often faced by students experiencing homelessness.

“This year, the SHIP team was able to help students experiencing homelessness secure a record amount of financial aid. Seeing so many incredible young people realize their dreams and continue their education after high school has been the highlight of our year.” – Melissa Muntz, Executive Director, Student Homelessness Initiative Partnership of Frederick County.

Whether pursuing higher education, entering the workforce, or exploring military service, students receive ongoing guidance and support to help them achieve their aspirations. SHIP of Frederick County congratulates the FCPS Class of 2026 and looks forward to seeing these graduates continue to pursue their goals, build successful futures, and make a positive impact in their communities.

       
        

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The Student Homelessness Initiative Partnership builds capacity in students to reduce housing insecurity, homelessness, and their impact by breaking the systemic barriers facing Frederick County youth. Student Homelessness Initiative Partnership (SHIP) of Frederick County, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) public charity. Information about SHIP submitted under the Maryland Charitable

The Solicitations Act can be obtained from the Maryland Secretary of State. SHIP uses stock photography on this website to protect the privacy of the children we serve.

Student Success: “Family Playlist”

In January of 2026, the program received a referral for two students whose mother had returned home from incarceration. The family was experiencing transition as they attempted to gain housing stability and work to rebuild their life together. The program was able to respond immediately by conducting an intake, assessing urgent needs, and connecting the family to basic needs resources, including food, clothing, and hygiene items.

In addition to meeting these immediate needs, staff began providing therapeutic mentoring to support the students’ emotional well-being and adjustment. Recognizing the students’ interest in music, staff incorporated a creative approach by helping them develop a shared “family playlist” as a tool for emotional expression. Songs such as “Control” by Zoe Wees and “Simple Things” by Teddy Swims supported the development of emotional vocabulary. They provided a meaningful way for the students to process and communicate their experiences. The students engaged in weekly case management and, within a few weeks, reported feeling courageous and expressed hope for their future. The student in high school began applying to colleges, and the student in middle school joined an after-school club to make friends again. Sometimes hope looks like doing everyday things, but with the expectation that it will all work out this time.

45 days after entering programming, the school staff reported that both students were able to focus more consistently in class and that attendance had improved, indicating increased stability and engagement in the school environment. These changes reflect the impact of meeting basic needs while also providing consistent emotional support through therapeutic mentoring.

The program continues to work with the family to support stabilization, school engagement, and connection to longer-term housing and community resources.

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.

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