These are
the some of the real stories of the Community Foundation’s track record
of impact and success through our grants or
distributions from our donor-advised, restricted or field of interest
funds:
Second Street and
Hope
Where can the homeless, impoverished, mentally ill, and addicted turn
to find a helpful, loving, caring community? Through the help of a Community
Foundation grant, Second Street and Hope
is one such place in Frederick County. A new charity housed within Centennial
Memorial United Methodist Church (UMC) on West Second Street in downtown
Frederick, Second Street and Hope offers the disenfranchised not only
a warm meal but also, more importantly, mentoring, friendship and support
services to mend their lives and move forward. To create dedicated facilities
within Centennial Memorial UMC for Second Street and Hope, the Community
Foundation’s grant will be used toward the costs of developing necessary
architectural drawings to install men’s and women’s showers, a laundry
room, a restroom, a community room, an emergency and medical storage
closet, and a sickroom/nurses’ office. The Community Foundation’s grant
is like a seed that will grow a tree, under whose protective shade the
many disheartened who enter Second Street and Hope are healed.
Thurmont Little
League
Through organized T-ball, instructional and minor league baseball play,
Thurmont Little League touches
the lives of boys and girls ages five to twelve. With dedicated coaches
and parents, these children learn the value of good sportsmanship, teamwork,
honesty, and respect every time they meet to practice or take to the
field. To make the experience the best it can be for the young players
on the field and those who come to cheer them on off the field, a Community
Foundation grant makes the purchase of a new set of bleachers and a
backstop possible. “We believe that Thurmont Little League is more than
just kids playing ball. It’s about a community coming together, about
strengthening families, about giving our youth a productive outlet to
build their skills and their characters as they grow into adults. We
certainly appreciate the Community Foundation’s remarkable investment
in our youth through this grant,” shares Thurmont Little League President
Tracey Tylicki.
Frederick County
Job Training Agency
By innovating the concept of the traditional job fair, Frederick
County Job Training Agency (JTA) offers job seekers a fresh alternative
for translating their employment searches into employment offers. Through
a Community Foundation grant, that alternative comes to life in the form
of a reverse job fair. This allows employers to circulate to speak with
job seekers rather than job seekers circulating to talk with employers. As
Frederick County’s one stop shop for assisting youth, dislocated workers,
people with disabilities, and others in need of information, training,
resources, and support obtain and retain jobs so they will become self
sufficient, JTA is planning four reverse job fairs in 2004. Reverse job
fairs benefit not only employers and job seekers but also Frederick
County’s economy by returning job seekers to the workforce sooner. The
Community Foundation works to improve the quality of life of those who
live in Frederick County, and its support of JTA is one way to do just
that.
The Paul L. Stine, Jr.
Memorial Fund
 Alice
Jean Stine of Knoxville turned to the Community Foundation
to create The Paul L. Stine,
Jr. Memorial Fund as
a field of interest fund to honor her brother’s memory. Field of interest
funds allow a donor to specify general areas to which giving should
be directed, and Ms. Stine recommended that The Paul L. Stine, Jr. Memorial
Fund distribute grants to nonprofit groups serving persons with disabilities
who are mentally challenged. One of the first grants approved by the
Community Foundation’s Board of Trustees from The Paul L. Stine, Jr.
Memorial Fund benefits Sarah Stup, a young woman with autism who attends
Frederick High School and receives Special Education Services. The Stine
grant makes an innovative, year-long educational internship at The Arc
of Frederick County possible for Sarah. She is the Creative Writing
Intern, honing her skills and pursuing her passion for writing. Most
of her writings promote disability awareness. Her portfolio includes
a letter to Governor Robert Ehrlich, pieces for The Arc’s newsletter,
a draft of a children’s book about disabilities, as well as a collection
of writings for TASH’s web site, an international association dedicated
to equity, opportunity and inclusion for those with disabilities. The
experience gained through this internship will help Sarah pursue her
dreams of becoming a self-employed author. As if the tremendous impact
on the life of Sarah Stup is not enough, Ms. Stine holds three additional
funds with the Community Foundation. One, in her mother’s memory, provides
scholarships. Another, in her father’s memory, provides grants to promote
agriculture. The fund she started in her own name supports the purchase
of books and reading materials for the Brunswick library as well as
Brunswick and Valley elementary schools.
Frederick Mutual
Insurance Company
 Through its donor-advised fund with the Community Foundation,
Frederick Mutual Insurance Company gives back to the community.
The company was founded in December of 1843 and has been issuing insurance
policies since 1844 through a network of independent agents throughout
the state. In June of 1994, it turned to the Community Foundation to
establish a donor-advised fund—The Frederick Mutual
Insurance Company Donor-Advised Fund—to award grants to local organizations
providing a range of services to Frederick County. The Frederick Mutual
Insurance Company Donor-Advised Fund made its first awards in 1995 to
four local organizations: The Arc of Frederick County, Advocates for
Homeless Families, Heartly House, and Frederick County Mental Health
Association. Each year, the number of awards has increased. The 2003
disbursements from the fund support the worthy endeavors of 14 charities
working in the fields of human services, education and historic research.
Frederick Mutual Insurance Company is well positioned to continue using
its one fund at the Community Foundation to create an impact with multiple
benefits for years to come.
Families Plus!
One organization.
Half-a-dozen grants. Hundreds of families transformed.
While Families Plus! provides direct services to Frederick County families,
The Community Foundation of Frederick County’s behind-the-scenes support
of the agency’s programs is instrumental.
Since 1982, Families Plus! has strengthened families throughout Frederick
County by offering no-cost seminars. Sustained through charitable contributions
rather than government funding, Families Plus! offers family enrichment
programs from prenatal to retirement stages. The nonprofit has turned
to The Community Foundation of Frederick County to apply for grants
to underwrite the costs of program development and implementation.
Over the years, Community Foundation grants to Families Plus! have fueled
a tremendous ripple effect of sustained initiatives. “We are committed
to improving the quality of life for all who live in Frederick County
through our grants,” shares Elizabeth Y. Day, Community Foundation President.
“Helping families is one way to do that.” In addition to Community Foundation
grants that have enabled Families Plus! to purchase much-needed computers
and a copier and to partially cover the costs of printing a resource
publication, the majority of the grants supported specific programs.
Community Foundation grants made the “test-pilots” of these innovative
programs possible and, when their value was confirmed, paved the way
for community partners to step in and continue the good work. Here’s
how:
Nearly 15 years ago, Families Plus! used a Community Foundation
grant to hold two, eight-week seminars to assist children cope with
family changes caused by separation and divorce. The seminar was extremely
well received, and the local court system took notice of it and contributed
further resources to its continuation. As a result, the “Children from
Changing Families” program is now offered to children in first through
eighth grades in an expanded ten-week format.
Another Community Foundation grant provided the resources
for Families Plus! to offer a parent-child anger management seminar
to two groups for one year. Realizing the value of this program, Families
Plus! partnered with CASS to continue this program beyond the initial
Community Foundation funding. This program now serves four groups, and
variations, such as anger management classes specifically for women
and men, are offered.
A Community Foundation grant made a one-time seminar possible
for siblings of children with special needs. To continue serving these
families, Families Plus! partnered with Fort Detrick to create a setting
where children with special needs and their siblings and friends might
meet to interact.
As the only organization in Frederick County to offer parenting and
family enrichment programs for the community’s growing immigrant population,
Families Plus! received a Community Foundation grant to partially
underwrite the costs of groundbreaking ethnic fairs. Representatives
from social service and law enforcement agencies were on hand to discuss
their programs with the Spanish, Korean and Chinese immigrant residents
of Frederick County. Translators were on site, and refreshments were
served. These first, well-attended ethic fairs led to others. In addition,
a series of workshops on topics useful to the immigrant population,
such as legal issues, purchasing real estate, special education services,
and health care coverage, were launched, garnering attention even from
the Governor’s Office on Hispanic Affairs, for instance. These workshops
will be centerpieces of future ethnic fairs and, through a partnership
with the English as a Second Language parent outreach program, are being
held monthly throughout the school system. What started as Community
Foundation-backed ethnic fairs has evolved into model ways of connecting
with the local immigrant community.
“Families Plus! is resourceful at identifying the needs of families
and developing programs to effectively address those needs in collaboration
with community partners,” summarizes Barbara Brittain, Families Plus!
Executive Director. The Community Foundation’s role in this process
through the awarding of grants empowers Families Plus! in achieving
its mission of strengthening Frederick County’s families.
Hope Alive
A Community Foundation grant from The Dola Burkentine Nonprofit
Marketing Fund helped Hope Alive, a non-profit all-volunteer Christian ministry working with homeless women and children in Frederick County, to spread awareness about its mission and services. The grant was used to print an information brochure. “Of the 1,000 brochures that were printed, we have shared nearly 800 with
prospective and current donors helping us raise $950,000 toward our $2.5 million capital campaign goal, shares Susan Oehmig, Founder and Board President. “We have experienced an incredible year of progress toward opening a new transitional group home and comprehensive support services for homeless women and children at our ministry site in Sabillasville, MD.”
Frederick County Veterans History Project
Frederick County Veterans History Project is an organization dedicated to recording and preserving the stories of Frederick County wartime veterans and civilian war workers and making these recollections available for the generations to come. Through a grant from the Community
Foundation's unrestricted funds, the organization purchased audio and video equipment to conduct and record interviews with local veterans and those who supported them on the home front.
"Our collection of
video-taped oral history has now grown to approximately 50 interview with
nearly 40 others veterans waiting to be part of the Project. The
purchase of the equipment will allow us to increase our number and rate of
interviews and to provide them for public viewing and research
purposes. It will also allow us to draw awareness to our Project and
the contributions and sacrifices made by our veterans by way of events
such as our "A Tribute to POW's" lecture presentation. I
cannot thank The Community Foundation of Frederick County, MD, Inc.,
enough for its support in this most worthy of endeavors."
St. John's Christian Preschool, Thurmont
Through a grant from the Community
Foundation, St. John’s Christian Preschool was
able to purchase children’s literature and early reading books to establish an extensive library collection and offer a program to help parents enrich literacy in the home environment. The grant is from
The Margaret S. Stauffer Fund, founded by the late Mrs. Stauffer at the Community Foundation to support youth activities in Frederick County.
“The grant from Mrs. Stauffer (Miss Stull) [fund] was very special as many of our Board members remember with great fondness her wonderful teaching ability and the lasting impression she instilled in her students,” shares Chairperson Betty L. Brown.
Basketball Coaches Without Boundaries, Inc.
The Youth Basketball Summer League Program organized by Basketball Coaches Without Boundaries, Inc.
(BCWB) brings boys and girls from 5th to 10th grade within the Frederick County region into a healthy, social, educational, drug-free, and safe environment. A grant from the Community Foundation's
U. Mehrl, Margaret T, and Sharon I. Hooper
Fund helped the Youth Basketball Summer League Program purchase more than 200
youth summer basketball league t-shirt jerseys and more than 300 youth
summer basketball summer league trophies. “With the help of your fund for our 2005 Youth Basketball Summer Program, we have been able to provide the opportunity for our youth to build on social skills, teamwork, communication skills and health maintenance. It allows us to maintain an affordable and free program to youth who otherwise would be subject , perhaps, to other unacceptable behaviors. It provides the small incentives and rewards which builds confidence and commitment in our
youth,” shares President Dwayne Whiten. "Your 2005 grant played a very important function in BCWB’s ability to implement...community based, family oriented Summer Basketball
programs and provided the perfect avenue for our youth’s physical, educational and mental development.”
Epilepsy Foundation of the Chesapeake Region
The goal of the Epilepsy Foundation of the Chesapeake Region is to help the community understand and live with epilepsy. Through a
grant from the Community Foundation's unrestricted
funds the Epilepsy Foundation of the Chesapeake Region purchased a laptop and LCD projector to prepare and improve the quality of epilepsy educational presentations. It now has eight epilepsy educational programs tailored to meet the informational requirements of different audiences.
“The opportunity to purchase a laptop and LCD projector has made a substantial impact on the delivery of epilepsy awareness campaigns and educational programs in Frederick County,” says Margaret Seebald, Education Coordinator. “Whether we are attempting to provide information to a newly diagnosed individual or educating a large group, having an effective information delivery system made a difference. Portability of highly diverse sources of information was our goal and we could not have successfully achieved it without the generosity of
The Community Foundation of Frederick County.”
Food Resources, Inc.
Food Resources, Inc., together with
the Brunswick Food Bank, works to improve the quality of life for low-income families in the
greater Brunswick area. Through a grant from the Community Foundation's Brunswick
Area Endowment Fund, the Brunswick Food Bank purchased a computer and a printer to help store and track information about their clients and the frequency of visits to the
pantry to better serve those in need. “On behalf of the Board of Directors of Food Services, Inc., the professional staff, and the families and agencies we serve, I want to thank you for your generous award in support of the Brunswick Food Bank,” says Executive Director Ruth Anne Callaham.
Maryland Public Broadcasting Foundation
Maryland Public Broadcasting Foundation received a grant from the Community Foundation's
unrestricted funds to support coverage
on Maryland Public Television of the weekly show, ArtWorks This Week, presenting arts activities and artists in Frederick County.
“ArtWorks This Week is watched by approximately 18,000 viewers weekly," says Theresa Michel, Director of Foundation Support. “On behalf of my
ArtWorks This Week colleagues, thank you and the trustees for your generous support.”
National Museum of Civil War Medicine
Through its rich collection of exhibits and artifacts, the National Museum of Civil War Medicine increases public awareness about the technological and procedural advances made in the medical field between 1861-1865. The Museum
applied to the Community Foundation for a grant from its unrestricted
funds to sponsor the research and installation of information panels
to be placed in the museum’s lobby. The panels will present important medical innovations that originated on the battlefields and in
wartime hospitals. “The panels have enhanced the appearance of the lobby, and have broadened the interpretation of the Museum’s mission to our many visitors. It is important for the public to understand the scope of the Civil War’s impact on the military and civilian medical personnel. The many visitors to the
National Museum of Civil War Museum will leave with a greater appreciation for the many individuals who participated during the landmark conflict,” says Executive Director George
Wunderlich.
The Federated Charities Corporation of Frederick
The mission statement of The Federated Charities Corporation of Frederick is: “We help people to help people.” By maintaining a free loan closet of homecare medical equipment and by facilitating tenant leasing for nonprofit agencies, the organization improves the lives of those in need. A
grant from the Community Foundation's unrestricted
funds made possible the purchase of a computer and monitor to enhance the agency’s operational system.
“With the grant monies, we purchased a new computer and monitor. This new system is
wonderful...I was able to expand our software applications,” shares Beverly Sharrer, Executive Director. “I upgraded our current applications and added new software to the system. Our computer system is operating at a more efficient speed and has enabled me to improve the quality and quantity of my office procedures, resulting in a more effectively managed office.”
Four County Little League of Mt. Airy
Four County Little League of Mt.
Airy received a grant from the Community Foundation’s
unrestricted funds to purchase a
batting cage and pitching machine for their little league program. They
had the batting cage and pitching machine in place and operational by
April 2005 and continue to use it on a regular basis. Players from their
rookie, minor, major, and junior divisions have been able to utilize the
equipment to improve their baseball skills. The travel and all-star
teams use the cage and pitching machine to prepare for tournament play.
“Four County Little League of Mt. Airy, Maryland would like to take this
opportunity to thank the Community Foundation for the generous grant. We
were able to purchase a batting cage and pitching machine for our little
league program. The use of this equipment has also allowed us a solution
for lack of field space by allowing teams to practice batting on a night
they would otherwise not have field space,” says Traci Davis.
Advocates for Homeless Families, Inc.
Advocates for Homeless Families is a nonprofit organization whose
mission is to empower motivated families to overcome homelessness. The
organization offers these families a structured two-year program of
education, housing and support services. Through a grant from the
Community Foundation’s Sharon I. Hooper Fund for Children, Advocates for
Homeless Families will provide 21 children of homeless families with
funds to enjoy extracurricular activities through their school or
through other youth-oriented community organizations. “On behalf of the
board of directors, staff and participants of Advocates for Homeless
Families, Inc., I wish to extend my sincerest thanks to you for your
contribution,” says Executive Director Elizabeth Galaida. “Thanks to
generous supporters like you, Advocates is able to serve families who
are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Your contribution will help our
participants and their children achieve self-sufficiency through
education and career training, to end the cycle of poverty.”
The Historical Society
of Frederick County
The Historical Society
of Frederick County offers a variety of educational programs and lecture
series that celebrate the rich history of Frederick County. Through a
grant from The Roger Brooke Taney House Endowment Fund, the
Historical Society of Frederick County will support the preservation and
interpretation of the Taney house. Through a grant from The Phillip
and Janis Miller Wertheimer Fund, the Historical Society has
supported the Society’s museum and library programming. The Society also
received a grant from The Frances Delaplaine Randall Endowment Fund
to purchase reference materials in support of historical and
genealogical research in their library. Contributions to The Parsons
Newman Memorial Fund founded by Mr. and Mrs. John D. Hendrickson II
for grants to the Historical Society of Frederick County will be used to
support expenses associated with the Parsons Newman Lecture Series.
“As always, we embrace the wonderful partnership we have with The
Community Foundation of Frederick County. We are pleased to join with
you as you strive to make Frederick County a great place to live, and
congratulate you on all your success,” says Mark Hudson, Executive
Director.
Autism Society of America
For some it is just a bracelet, for a family it is the reassurance that
their loved one is safe. Project Lifesaver is an organization that has
created devices to reunite those who are missing with their families. By
attaching a bracelet with a small receiver to the person’s arm, a radio
signal is transmitted to local law enforcement and the person can be
tracked and rescued. Through a grant from the Community Foundation's
Frederick Medical Foundation Fund, the
Frederick chapter of the Autism Society of America was able to purchase
this equipment. “Thank you so much for the money you gave us for Project
Lifesaver. We believe that the equipment will keep children with autism
safer in our community,” said Shawna Capotosto, Co-President of the
Autism Society of America.
IMPACT...IN
THEIR OWN WORDS
"Hospice of
Frederick County serves many patients and families throughout each
year. The funds that you have forwarded to us have been used to help
support a family who has very limited funds and excessive medical expenses
and did not know how they would be able to cope with all of these
expenses. We were also able to assist a young couple with the
expense of special food required for feeding their terminally ill
child...the...funds forwarded to us will be used to help with the expenses
of Camp Jamie, our bereavement camp for children of ages 6 through 14 who
have experienced the death of a loved one. We continue to offer this
camp at no charge because of gracious donations such as yours."
Hospice of Frederick County on receipt of a disbursement from The
Hospice of Frederick County Endowment Fund
"Evangelical Lutheran Church is very grateful for the
distribution...from The Philip and Janis Miller Wertheimer Fund. The
Evangelical Lutheran Church Council decided...that the Wertheimer
distributions would be used to help finance the church's new campus in
southern Frederick County. The money is critically important to the
continuing development of that new ministry..."
Evangelical Lutheran Church on receipt of a disbursement from The
Philip and Janis Miller Wertheimer Fund.
"We are delighted to have this
new interpretive resource available for the benefit of Frederick County
citizens and others who visit the battlefield. The support of the
Community Foundation in bringing this project to fruition is greatly
appreciated."
Western Maryland Interpretive Association and Monocacy National
Battlefield on receipt of an Community Foundation grant from unrestricted
funds to produce the Thomas Farm Trail brochure for Monocacy National
Battlefield
"We at Emmitsburg Osteopathic Primary Care Center
(EOPCC)...gladly
express our thanks to...The Community Foundation of Frederick County...for
your gift...for the electrical connections and paper needed for the
Schiller EKG machine so graciously awarded through The Frederick County
Medical Foundation Endowment Fund. Each time we have an eligible
patient with chest discomfort and in need of an EKG, we are eager to give
them the service of a no charge EKG. We gladly share with them that
this EKG is made possible by the grant we received through your wonderful
foundation. This gift means so much to us, the members of EOPCC, and
the community we serve."
Emmitsburg Osteopathic Primary Care Center on receipt of a Community
Foundation grant from The Frederick Medical Foundation Endowment
Fund
"On behalf of the Historical Society of Frederick County, I
wish to...thank you...for your recent grant...for the purchase of tables
and chairs. The new furniture has been wonderful to use for public
programs, rentals and meetings. We greatly appreciate your continued
support of our organization and for all that you do to make Frederick
County a great place to live and work."
The Historical Society of Frederick County on receipt of a Community
Foundation grant from unrestricted funds
"The digital camera package provided from the Frederick
Community Foundation grant has assisted the Boys & Girls Club in
capturing the club members during their times of fun and
volunteerism. During the annual fundraising dinner, the camera
allowed for a slide show of the youth (purpose of the dinner) to be
displayed while patrons ate. In addition, a Boys & Girls Club/Monocacy
Middle School soccer team was formed by means of a need assessment and
community outreach. The digital camera served as a way for staff to
photograph youth playing soccer as well as for a team picture. Youth
were also able to learn how to use the camera (with staff supervision) and
photograph some of the pictures utilized. A newsletter is being
created to keep interested community members on top of current Boys &
Girls Club news and events. The camera has allowed for photographs
to be included so that sponsors and donors can picture the youth in
action."
The Boys & Girls Club of Frederick on receipt of a Community
Foundation grant from The Margaret S. Stauffer Fund
"I'd like to take this opportunity to thank you for the funds through the grant from the Frederick County Medical Foundation to purchase collapsible cup pill containers. These portable pill carriers will permit over 450 seniors to transport their medications in a sanitary container and also provide them with a personal drinking cup to swallow adequate amounts of water with their dosage. As you recall, we also use funds from this grant to purchase a portable scale to better monitor weights of our meals on wheels clients. We have determined in several incidences that clients had lost significant amounts of weight between visits from our nurse/case manager. This allowed us to contact the client's family and/or health care provider for further evaluation and treatment.
We also purchased a pulse oximeter to monitor blood oxygen levels. Our nurse has found it to be extremely helpful when a client's physician requests follow-up monitoring for specific conditions and to establish baselines for future reference.
The addition of this equipment continues to assist the Department of Aging in providing a quality, professional service to our clients."
Kitty L. Devilbiss, Community Services Manager, Frederick County Department of Aging
on receipt of a Community
Foundation grant from The Frederick Medical Foundation Fund
 "I
would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the grant Parkway
Elementary received for the xylophones. They have contributed to
quality lessons that Parkway music students receive intertwined with the
Frederick County curriculum. The students really love having the
chance to experience playing them." Kristen Barone, Parkway
Elementary School on receipt of a Community Foundation grant from The Dan
Crozier Music Trust Fund, with the students pictured here at their May 8th
Spring Concert playing the xylophones.
“Emmitsburg Osteopathic
Primary Care Center (EOPCC) thanks The Community Foundation of Frederick
County for the gift of waiting room computer stands and computers… these
computers continue to bring education and fun to our patients while they
wait for their doctors visit.” Emmitsburg Osteopathic Primary Care
Center on receipt of a Community Foundation grant from unrestricted funds
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