In this season of thankfulness, we’re especially grateful for the incredible young people we work with—students like this resilient senior who remind us daily of the strength in hope and possibility.
Our student (let’s call her Julia) came to SHIP at the start of her senior year, after her family circumstances left her alone in the area and staying with a friend to complete high school. At 17 years old, Julia landed a job at a popular local store and planned to work there after high school as her “transition plan” into adulthood. She thought that was her only option. While we know this is a favored place to shop, we could tell after a few short weeks that this student had goals to accomplish. Her world has since opened up in amazing ways. Facing significant challenges, she’s shown incredible determination to shape her future in 2 short months.
This week, Julia met with our FAFSA mentor, completed her needs assessment, and shared a few of her childhood dreams. She had always felt loved and cared for by every nurse she ever met. From the school nurse, to the nurse who x-rayed her wrist when she fell off her bike, to the nurse to cared for her pet–she never met a nurse she didn’t love. This was someone she aspired to be, and she was reminded of this on a Tuesday afternoon, in a tiny conference room of her high school, with a case manager and FAFSA mentor.
By the end of her session, she had applied to Frederick Community College for fall 2025, created an FSA ID and started her personal essay. She then paused before heading back to class and shared her gratitude for having someone take the time to guide her through applications for college and financial aid—things she once thought were out of reach. She was grateful.
This November, we’re thankful not only for her inspiring journey but also for everyone who steps up to support our students as they reach for their dreams. She’s well on her way, and we couldn’t be prouder!