Brian Hart
The Frederick Rescue Mission
Brian has been employed at the Frederick Rescue Mission since 2019. His extensive background in many areas of construction equip him to providing the Rescue Mission with a highly qualified Facilities Manager of both the main building on West South Street and Faith House on North Market Street. Residents in both buildings are seeking a shelter from homelessness and in many cases hopelessness. When they arrive at the Rescue Mission, they are welcomed and provided with a clean, safe, and attractive environment which will ease their anxiety and enable them to focus on moving ahead with their lives.
Brian diligently ensures that the buildings and grounds are well-maintained. His unassuming, humble demeanor puts people at ease. Brian’s work ethic demonstrates that he really cares about those he serves. He often attends the “graduations” when residents complete their programs and are ready to move out into the community. The properties are central to delivering services to those in need. The Rescue Mission cannot rescue people from hunger, poverty, and chemical addiction if the properties fall apart. Brian understands that when one area of the property is weak, it compromises other areas, and he faithfully cares for the Mission’s guests in his unique way. Brian never hesitates to say yes when asked to help. We are grateful that he chooses to share his tremendous talent with the Mission.
“The community of Frederick has been very generous so that we have the needed facilities to serve those in need. Brian’s diligence and hard work ensures each day that we are able to operate effectively.” Arnold Farlow, Executive Director
The Frederick Rescue Mission seeks to rescue lives from poverty, homelessness and chemical dependency. Whether the need is a hot meal, a warm jacket, or respite from the daily challenges of life, the Frederick Rescue Mission serves residents from Frederick County and surrounding areas with grace and love.
Amber Ugorji
SHIP of Frederick County
Amber has worked at SHIP for more than a year in her position as Administrative Assistant and Resource Coordinator. Amber manages the basic material needs program which includes providing emergency hotel stays for families, assisting with specific needs like clothing, shelf stable food, and coordinating rides to schools and medical appointments. When people contact her for assistance looking for a place to stay, they have been living in their cars, hopping from one place to the next. What she enjoys the most is being able to alleviate the worry and stress they face, providing a safe environment where the students can focus on their education.
As a social worker, Amber knew she wanted to do something to overcome barriers and make a difference in people’s lives. “This program makes a real impact in the community, the community sees what we are doing, and the schools are so appreciative.” Amber goes above and beyond to find solutions for families with students experiencing homelessness in the Frederick community. Some of the situations she assists with are incredibly challenging, but she never gives up. Amber always pursues every possible option to improve the lives of the people she serves. Students experiencing homelessness are more likely to stay in school due to Amber’s efforts to meet their basic human needs.
“Amber has improved the lives of countless students experiencing homelessness, providing the tools they need to stay connected to education. SHIP is thrilled to have her on our team.” Melissa Muntz, Executive Director
The Student Homelessness Initiative Partnership [SHIP] builds capacity in students to reduce housing insecurity, homelessness, and their impact by breaking the systemic barriers facing Frederick County youth.
James Hendy
Safe Ride Foundation
James has been working with the Safe Ride Foundation for over four years as Program Coordinator for the SOS Safe Ride program, imparting how to be a good citizen and save lives. He is also director (and co-creator) of the “Steered Straight” DUI Rehabilitation program, helping DUI offenders in Frederick County to see their crime from the other side of the equation, thus becoming a big part of the solution. He helps to train and coordinate a team of about 40 volunteers who work in pairs. He considers one of his greatest accomplishments to be his contribution of 1,000 hours of community service, prior to becoming an employee.
After reopening following COVID when they didn’t have volunteers, James worked with Wayne Dorsey, the founder, to split phone duty and driving. James is directly responsible for safely transporting home over 2,100 Frederick County citizens who were under the influence of alcohol, thus preventing those people from drinking and driving in Frederick County. A certified mechanic three days a week with Frederick Motorsports, James also applies his skills on the occasion when any of the volunteers have issues with their cars. James speaks enthusiastically of his experience working with the Safe Ride Team: “The people, Wayne, and the volunteers are all amazing, and super friendly, which is a product of the culture built from the inside.”
“James is one of our organization’s favorite people, and has quickly become an irreplaceable member of our team in more ways than one. We can’t thank James
enough for his contribution to our organization, and also can’t think of any person more deserving of this honor.” Wayne Dorsey, Founder
The Safe Ride Foundation is Frederick County Maryland’s only 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations taking a stance against driving while intoxicated. Safe Ride seeks to implement and replicate programs that will not only provide our public with the education on the dangers of intoxicated driving, but also a faithful and reliable alternative to those dangers, and a haven of support for victims as well as the families of victims.
Caylee Winpigler
Ausherman Family Foundation
Caylee has worked with the Ausherman Family Foundation for a little under 2 years, following her graduation from Hood College with her degree in history and global studies. Her job consists of marketing and communications with the foundation’s nonprofit and community partners, event planning, social media, website support, and taking part in project planning meetings. Caylee really enjoys working here because of the many diverse projects – from public art projects to the new youth center initiative, to planning the Nonprofit Summit which brings together the whole nonprofit community, to the redesign and completion of the Frederick Rescue Mission’s new parking lot.
Some of her greatest accomplishments include serving as the first student trustee on the board at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and being involved in the accelerated grantmaking occurring at the time, and helping to recruit a “total rockstar” new student candidate to fill this position. Caylee shared that her team has helped her grow and develop and pursue her ideas and passions, including collaborating with the Chamber of Commerce to start a new young nonprofit professionals’ group for networking and professional development. “By far the most inspiring thing about working in the nonprofit sector is the passion everyone has for their work and mission. It is so heartwarming to see how much people care about their community and in making a difference.”
“Caylee lights up any room that she enters and does such a wonderful job helping her coworkers, our grantees, and community groups AFF supports. She is always thinking of others and goes above and beyond to get the job done. The Foundation couldn’t ask for a better ambassador.” Leigh Adams, Executive Director
The Ausherman Family Foundation vision is that Frederick County is a thriving community of vibrant spaces and places, with a superior quality of life, and strong and collaborative nonprofit organizations.
Our gratitude goes out to the Ausherman Family Foundation and Venlu Cloud Consulting for their commitment to helping to recognize our unsung heroes of nonprofits in Frederick County.
Frederick Chamber Insights is a news outlet of the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce. For more information about membership, programs and initiatives, please visit our website.