Crystal Bowens
Mental Health Association
Crystal has been with the Child Care Choices (CCC) program for just a year, but because she volunteered prior to employment, it feels way longer. For 30 years, Crystal has worked in the childcare profession, working her way up to becoming a center director. During that time, she always took advantage of the resources the CCC center had available for providers. Crystal shared, “I have a true passion for helping people, regardless of the time of day. If someone needs me, I am there. I was born and raised in Frederick, giving back to my community makes me happy.”
She is a Family Resource Specialist and focuses her efforts on helping meet the diverse needs of families, particular around navigating resources and services that are available to them. Some of the families she supports are from underserved communities, they may not have a computer and are not tech savvy. Crystal helps families find providers, guides them through the process, and helps with applications for social service programs that help families address what they need to survive, such as SNAP and TCA benefits. One of her favorite activities is partnering with other service providers in the community to bring services and eliminate the transportation barrier. I love that all the services can be in one place, and I have the opportunity to really talk and educate families about what is available to them.
“Crystal has been a wonderful addition to the MHA team. She is a bundle of positive energy and consistently goes the extra mile to help everyone she comes in contact with!” Shannon Aleshire, CEO
The Mental Health Association of Frederick County builds a strong foundation of emotional wellness for the whole community by preparing resilient children, securing vulnerable families and standing with people to face crises together.
Kim Brown
Literacy Council of Frederick County
Kim began working with the Literacy Council in 2018 after relocating to Frederick, building on many years of experience with adult literacy programs. She saw an opportunity to help locally to grow the organization’s Workplace Literacy Program. She meets with different businesses to help them find a way to bring this professional development opportunity to their staff. Language and reading skills are not often thought of as professional development, but they very much can be a barrier to an employee’s ability to grow and thrive both personally and professionally. Investing in their employees often results in increased employee retention and satisfaction.
She shared the story of an individual she assessed a few years ago and recently had the opportunity to reconnect. She was amazed with the amount of language they had gained and newfound confidence. Their employer mentioned that they too were so proud. This individual is now able to express himself, be more assertive and not so reactive, and can seek out and initiative communication. “Success for me is when I can bring a new business into the program. It’s a heavy lift to convince a business that it’s in their best interest to spend money to help their staff learn language skills. Being able to help them to see the value this service provides to their employees and business will always be something I am proud of.”
“Kim’s experience, leadership, and commitment to adult literacy programs are an enduring contribution to the growth of the Literacy Council’s programs at a critical time in the implementation of its new strategic plan and expansion of the Workplace Literacy Program. She willingly gives of her time for the benefit of our students, mentoring new staff, problem solving, and supporting the needs of our organization across all program areas.” Laurie Fisher, Executive Director
The Literacy Council of Frederick County provides Frederick County adults with pathways to essential literacy skills.
Angela Eyler
YMCA of Frederick County
Angela “Angie” has worked at the YMCA a little over five years as the front desk coordinator. She greets members as they arrive and leave, provides tours, and works on memberships. She is often the last person the members see. She describes her greatest accomplishment to be creating relationships with the younger members. One of her biggest pleasures is helping to create a place where they can feel safe and loved unconditionally. Part of the YMCA’s mission is to strengthen the community through healthy living, youth development and social responsibility — including everyone and allowing them to reach their full potential.
Angie shared her reaction to learning she is being honored with this award, “I find it amazing that I should be getting an award for something we should all be doing which is trying to make a positive difference in the world.” Angie is described as being compassionate towards every person who walks in the door. She builds relationships with the members and acknowledges them by name as they arrive. Angie enjoys working in this field and with the YMCA because she wants to make a difference in the community. Her involvement has become more than a second job, she feels that she is helping kids to lead good lives and make good choices by creating a positive environment.
“Angie is like a mom to all of the youth that enter the facility. She loves them as her own, supports them in athletics and other endeavors, and treats them as part of her family. She always takes time to get to know members, and knows when times may be tough. She is a great listener and always remembers the tiny details.” Chris Colville, CEO
The mission of The YMCA of Frederick County is to strengthen and enrich the development of individuals and families.
Megan Shaine, Ph.D.
Hood College’s NeighborHood Counseling and Training Center
Dr. Shaine (Megan) has been at Hood College for seven years, starting off as an Assistant Professor for the counseling program. In January 2022, the College opened a training program within the counseling Program. It is essentially a community mental health agency, allowing advanced masters students to see clients, including Hood College students. The service is free of charge and includes twice a year mental health screenings. Megan shared that “our multipronged approach not only encourages our counselor trainees to work with underserved populations, but also provides a new low-cost option for mental health services for the College and the Frederick community.” These services can be accessed by emailing nctc@hood.edu.
Megan worked to secure grants so that NeighborHood Counseling and Training Center (NCTC) would be able to deliver mental health services to those who need it most. The counseling program was awarded more than $5 million in grant funding to increase the number of behavioral health professionals by strengthening the recruitment and retention efforts and graduation rates of students from disadvantaged backgrounds, including underrepresented minorities, while also improving distribution and access to behavioral health services within medically underserved communities. Working in this field allows Megan to teach and have a greater impact on the community and her students. She can follow students all the way through the end of their field placement which often shows a ton of growth from when they started their work. It is rewarding to see former students out in the community using what they’ve learned.
“This is such a great program, and I am proud that Megan’s great work supporting the mental health of our community will be so recognized.” – Dr. Andrea Chapdelaine, President, Hood College and Professor of Psychology
NCTC is a counselor training facility and community mental health services provider operated by the Counseling M.S. Program at Hood College. NCTC operates to provide counseling to those in Maryland.