New Horizons Summer Academy

Our New Horizons Summer Academy is a programming partnership between SHIP and FCPS that provides local high schoolers experiencing homelessness access to learning opportunities as a pathway out of poverty. This program provides the student a safe space and food security for a majority of their summer so that they can access core academic courses required for graduation as well as life skills workshops …without having to choose between work and school. Student breaks are filled with staff-led programming, life skills, and lots of connection to other students experiencing similar situations.

All students are supported by SHIP’s New Horizons Case Managers. These crucial members of our team work with students to access community services including medical and mental health services, economic assistance, and social emotional supports. They also help students to identify and achieve their own personal goals while staying on track to high school graduation.

This summer, New Horizons Summer Academy welcomed 73 students!

THANK YOU to our New Horizons Summer Academy 2024 Sponsors!

“In Frederick County Public Schools, we have a simple mission: We support every student, every day. Every student has different interests, passions and needs. Without question, the homeless students who attend FCPS need so much. Our team of dedicated educators go above and beyond to support them.

Since 2014, the Student Homelessness Initiative Partnership of Frederick County has been an invaluable community resource for students and families. It’s a comfort to know Frederick County is home to a nonprofit so dedicated to lending helping hands.

We wish every student could return home to a comforting and safe dwelling every night. The reality is, we have students who do not have that luxury. It is vital to do all we can as a community to lift up students who are facing significant challenges.”

Dr. Cheryl L. Dyson
Superintendent
Frederick County Public Schools

Childhood experiences, both positive and negative, have a tremendous impact on future violence victimization and perpetration, and lifelong health and opportunity. As such, early experiences are an important public health issue. Much of the foundational research in this area has been referred to as Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs).

Adverse Childhood Experiences have been linked to

– risky health behaviors
– chronic health conditions
– low life potential, and early death.

As the number of ACEs increase in a child’s life, so do the risk for these outcomes.

SHIP is working to help alleviate the impact of poverty and homeless upon our local students.

For more information on ACEs in Frederick County, visit https://www.unitedwayfrederick.org/ACE

How can you help or get involved?

P.O. Box 1629Frederick, MD 21702, USA

(240) 415-8971

(c) 2019 - All rights reserved. Student Homelessness Initiative Partnership (SHIP) of Frederick County, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) public charity. Information about SHIP submitted under the Maryland Charitable 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.

This website made possible through a grant provided by the Ausherman Family Foundation.

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