COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT: SHIP
Welcome to the latest blog post in our Community Spotlight series, where we highlight the remarkable individuals and organizations that make Frederick a great place to live and work.
Frederick is more than just a beautiful place to live—it’s a community where people truly care for one another. At the heart of this compassionate spirit is SHIP, a nonprofit that has dedicated the past decade to helping Frederick’s homeless students overcome the barriers that stand between them and their education. Through their hands-on support, SHIP is changing lives and providing hope to the most vulnerable members of our community.
We spoke with the SHIP team to learn more about their mission, challenges, and the incredible impact they’ve made in Frederick over the last ten years.
What do you think makes Frederick a great place to live?
This community is truly the best of both worlds. We are big enough to have incredible offerings for living, working, and playing but we are small enough to take care of each other in a meaningful way. As we grow I hope we will continue to evolve without losing sight of the reason we’ve grown to love Frederick so much.
SHIP is turning 10! That’s incredible. Can you tell us a bit about the early days of the organization? How did it come to be?
SHIP started out with a few very motivated volunteers who saw a need and wanted to fill it. A young boy was experiencing homelessness in our community and was struggling to come to school. His shoes were literally falling apart and his family was unable to purchase a new pair. When SHIP’s original “SHIPmates” heard about this story, they sprung into action to find new shoes and clothing for the boy. Without the barrier, the student was able to attend school consistently.
After this experience, the SHIPmates learned that there were (at the time) over 600 students enrolled in Frederick County Public Schools who were experiencing homelessness and facing some of the same barriers to staying in school. The group began assisting these students with basic needs and formalized its work as a nonprofit organization.
Over the last 10 years, SHIP has grown in a variety of ways. What was once a small group of hands-on volunteers has turned into a staff of 10 full time employees, 2 contract positions, and 4 interns per year. What used to be a simple transaction of items has evolved into hands on case management and capacity building, setting our students up to succeed without us long term. What started out as a simple connection to education has grown into an ultimate goal of preventing adult homelessness by intervening during youth and truly breaking a cycle of poverty.
In your experience, what are some of the misconceptions people have about homelessness, particularly when it comes to children and youth?
People often picture someone laying on the sidewalk or sleeping on a park bench when they think of homelessness. While we do see some of that, the reality of homelessness looks very different for most people. The definition we use to determine homelessness status is “lacking a fixed and adequate nighttime residence”. We often see students couch surfing, staying in a different place every night. We see many students living in hotel rooms that they can’t afford to pay for, sleeping in cars without sufficient heating, or sleeping in a storage unit not made to live in.
We also hear often that people who experience homelessness “need jobs”. Most of the students we serve are part of working families. Unfortunately they are very limited in their ability to earn a higher wage. Many lack transportation, healthcare, and literacy skills needed to advance out of poverty.
Homeless students often feel isolated from their peers. How do your programs help them build social connections and a sense of belonging, especially in school environments?
We strive to provide opportunities that are specific to youth experiencing homelessness as well as basic needs and goals that match those of the average student.
Our Youth Action Board brings together students who have experienced homelessness to connect and provide feedback on SHIP’s programs and other community issues. Our New Horizons Summer Academy is a 5 week high school credit recovery program that is only open to students experiencing homelessness. These are places our students can be open and free to feel comfortable among peers who are experiencing some of the same challenges they’ve faced.
We also help students obtain a driver’s license and purchase a vehicle, something so many high school and college students desire. We work with students to participate in social activities in a meaningful way, helping them to feel less isolated.
What are some of the key challenges your organization faces when working with homeless children, particularly in getting them consistent access to services?
For students who are under age 18, there are a tremendous amount of barriers to accessing the services that are provided to adults. Many of the students we work with are unaccompanied, meaning that there is no parent or legal guardian present. In many cases, parents are deceased, in another country, or incarcerated. These students not only lack a natural advocate and teacher, but they are also unable to sign for themselves in many scenarios.
What upcoming events, initiatives, or volunteer opportunities should we know about and how can the community best support SHIP’s mission?
SHIP is working to collect hygiene items for our students to use throughout the year during the months of November and December. You can drop off full sized hygiene items like shampoo, soap, and toothpaste at the SHIP office or in one of the boxes placed in businesses throughout the community.
If you’re a Harry Potter fan, come out and celebrate our 10th anniversary with a themed trivia night at Frederick Social on November 7! Tickets are $35 per team and are on sale now.
Looking ahead to the next 10 years, how do you envision expanding SHIP’s impact on the lives of homeless children in Frederick County?
Our hope is that SHIP will be able to serve more students each year with the same high quality service that we currently provide. As the needs of our population change, we will evolve our offerings to truly fill community gaps without reinventing any wheels. Our ultimate goal is that every student who attends school in Frederick County becomes an adult who never experiences homelessness. By keeping students connected to education and providing them with every opportunity to meet their goals, we can make this happen in Frederick.
Bonus: If you could go back in time to when SHIP was first founded, what advice would you give your team or yourself?
Hang in there! It’s going to be a big job, but it’s going to be worth the work.
As SHIP celebrates its 10th anniversary, their commitment to Frederick’s homeless students remains stronger than ever. With the community’s help, SHIP can continue to grow and ensure that every child in Frederick has the chance to succeed. Whether through donations, volunteering, or events, there are so many ways to get involved.
Together, we can ensure that every student in Frederick has the opportunity to succeed, no matter their circumstances. Here’s to the next 10 years.
Connect with SHIP