Innovative Program to Pave the Way for a Brighter Future for Homeless Students
Homeless students in Frederick County public schools deserve the same chance to succeed as their classmates. We know education is the key to their success and the pathway to opportunity, according to County Executive Jan Gardner. During her public information briefing today, she announced an innovative new program called New Horizons Frederick that promises to pave the way toward a brighter future for students experiencing homelessness.
“We can help teenagers from age 14 and over who don’t have a fixed, regular and adequate residence through New Horizon Frederick’s five-week pilot program being introduced this summer,” said Executive Gardner. “I commend the community partners who are joining together to provide academic programs, job skills, nutritional meals, scholarships, summer camp activities and most of all, caring hearts that will make a lasting difference in the lives of these students.”
During the last school year, more than 800 students were coping with homelessness. To help these students, New Horizons Frederick is a five-week pilot program in partnership with Frederick County Workforce Services, Frederick County Public Schools, the YMCA and the Student Homeless Initiative Partnership (SHIP). Through this collaboration, youth will receive academic programming to include credit recovery and mentoring; job skills training and summer employment opportunities, and summer camp activities and field trips.
New Horizons is modeled after a successful program in Baltimore County that provided a safe and positive learning environment for students experiencing homelessness.
United Way of Frederick County awarded SHIP a grant of $7,500 to help underwrite the scholarship program. Executive Gardner invited the community to help raise additional funds. The goal is to help 25 students and lay a foundation for the future success of the program.
To find out more about New Horizons Frederick or how to fund a child’s scholarship in the program, contact SHIP of Frederick County at 240-415-8917 or via e-mail at info@ShipFrederick.com.
