Laura Lores
SHIP of Frederick County
Laura has been with SHIP for 2 years. She works with students and families, making sure that the students finish high school. She also removes barriers such as medical issues, connecting them with doctor’s, helping them get their driver’s license, etc.
Laura loved being able to be there for SHIP’s clients. Most of the students they serve are unaccompanied so for example, when students go get their driver’s license, usually students would have their mom and dad go with them but many of the students they work with don’t, so being there to cheer them on is so rewarding. She works with a lot of medical issues so helping connect them with healthcare and being with them through the process so they’re not alone. Seeing the smiles on their faces when they pass their driver’s test, graduate, or even figure out a stubborn medical issue makes her work worth it.
She says this is the best job she’s ever had. She likes the team work, loves the team. They’re so supportive, making sure that she has the tools she needs to succeed. Plus, getting to see the difference that she and SHIP are having on the students’ lives is the best. Laura wishes the schools could be a little more educated about the work SHIP does to understand the students and why they are doing the things they’re doing. If they could understand what is happening behind the scenes, they may have more grace and understanding for the students SHIP supports.
Laura constantly goes above and beyond to meet the individual needs to students. She is frequently a student’s most consistent, stable adult when they are new to our area and quickly builds tremendous trust that they can rely on.
– Melissa Muntz, Executive Director
Learn more about SHIP of Frederick County
Jax Helms
On Our Own Frederick County, Inc
Jex has been serving On Our Own Frederick for 2 years. She feels that her name suits her well as she is a “jack of all trades” in the workplace. A combination of responsibilities including meeting immediate needs as well as developing reliable and meaningful programming for their clientele. Helping her colleagues maintain and operate their services in the community, and jumping in wherever needed.
Her greatest accomplishment at her job is hearing from clients how they had given up on life until they came to the services at On Our Own. Jax loves instilling and developing hope, and helping folks make better choices for their lives and families.
Jax was drawn to the helping profession because when she needed help earlier in life, there was someone there for her who instilled hope and showed her that there is better “out there” and “inside.” She has multiple certifications and trainings she brings to her position as a certified peer recovery specialist, mammoth empathy and compassion for everyone, and palpable approachability!
Jax is one of our dedicated team members who is “perfectly placed.” Her efforts are enabling healing to happen in community every day in downtown Frederick.
– Neil Donnelly, Executive Director
Learn more about On Our Own Frederick County, Inc.
Shannon Reinhart
City Youth Matrix
Shannon has been serving City Youth Matrix since 2020, and she recently became director of IT! In her new role, the organization recently upgraded their website to a more robust platform that she manages. City Youth Matrix has a lot of security risks when it comes to their social media and website so Shannon provides back end expertise to make sure staff is savvy with technology and internet safety. Shannon’s goal is to make sure our website is secure, looks and functions well, and is seamless with CYM branding.
Shannon considers her greatest career accomplishment to be making the move from a simple do-it-yourself type website to a coded Wordpress environment. This was a big step to make and she got a lot of people involved to provide feedback, as well as ensuring seamless implementation.
When Shannon was first looking for somewhere to volunteer, she wanted something related to kids specifically and for kids who can’t experience everything that her own children get to experience. She found that at this organization as a volunteer, and she feels fortunate that she’s now also an employee! Bob Hosier is Shannon’s mentor. He was the trailblazer for all things IT and website at City Youth Matrix so she’d like to to acknowledge the work he did to get the organization to where they are now.
Shannon has been a sustained and steady force with IT throughout the last 4 years with CYM. She has gone above and beyond to lead our IT development and is the lead for the current CRM transition. Her leadership is allowing CYM to take the necessary steps with infrastructure so that we can serve thousands of local youth, parents, volunteers, and supporters at a much greater level efficiency.
– Aaron Vetter, Founder and Executive Director
Learn more about City Youth Matrix
George Kolensky
Community Living, Inc.
George has been serving Community Living for 2.5 years. In his role, he cares for individuals with disabilities in a residential home, and manages the day-to-day operations of the house. The men George supports are mostly wheelchair-bound and unable to do many things for themselves, so his role is to make sure all of their needs are met. That includes cooking for them, helping feed them, assisting with their daily routines, and making sure they stay active and engaged. George also helps coordinate their schedules and ensure everything runs smoothly in the home. Right now, he works with three men, ranging in age, who require a high level of care.
George’s greatest accomplishment has been building relationships with the individuals he supports and truly understanding their needs. He had never worked in this field before, and because many of the residents are nonverbal, it takes time, patience, and attention to learn how they communicate. Over time, he’s been able to understand their behaviors, anticipate their needs, and earn their trust. That trust means everything—it allows him to care for them in the best possible way.
After George retired, he was off for about two years. He still felt strong and healthy, and he thanks God for that. A friend introduced him to this field, and once he started, he never looked back. George says this work has given him a new sense of purpose. This is a very rewarding job. George feels like he serves as a voice—or a “third eye”—for people who can’t always express themselves. Being able to understand them and advocate for their needs is something that means a lot to him.
George works in a home that has traditionally had significant turnover due to the heavy workload and significant responsibilities. George has been there for 3 years working holidays and weekends as needed, always making sure every need of the residents is met.
– Michael Planz, Chief Executive Officer
Learn more about Community Living, Inc.
Serena Balassi
United Way of Frederick County
Serena has been with the United Way of Frederick County for just over three years, serving in several capacities including a seasonal assistant supporting the Unity Campaign, Volunteer Coordinator, and Ride United Network Coordinator.
A key part of her role is building and maintaining partnerships with nonprofit partners while developing creative, sustainable solutions to help clients access essential services. Through the Ride United Network, Serena helps ensure access to essential services such as employment, education, medical care, and food, is available to individuals across all demographics in Frederick County. As the Ride United Network Coordinator, she oversees the program and provide training to partner organizations so they can effectively integrate transportation support into their services. This includes working with nonprofit ride providers who operate their own vehicles and drivers, coordinating with our 211-concierge call center to expand access for veterans and the broader community, and managing a monthly distribution of ride credits that offer flexible, on-demand transportation options. In addition, Serena collects and analyzes demographic and geographic data, using these insights to identify gaps in transportation access, inform program improvements, and strengthen advocacy efforts across the community.
This year, Serena has taken on an expanded role in the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. With her background in finance, she’s passionate about helping individuals better understand their income and make informed financial decisions. Working one-on-one with families and seniors to reduce the stress and confusion often associated with taxes has been incredibly rewarding for her. She is particularly proud to contribute to a program that helps return significant funds back to ALICE households in Frederick County, and to witness how those refunds are used as steppingstones toward long-term stability.
In her role, Serena has the opportunity to support hundreds of individuals and families from a wide range of backgrounds who are all navigating different challenges, but share the common need for greater financial and transportation stability. Being part of an organization that not only addresses immediate needs but also supports long-term stability and opportunity is what makes the work especially meaningful to her. In addition, the United Way has given her many opportunities to grow as a nonprofit professional. She’s been able to build skills in program coordination, data tracking, and working with community partners. Each part of Serena’s role continues to challenge her in new ways and helps me grow more confident and effective in the work I do.
Serena would like to take the time to thank the UWFC team for the opportunity to work alongside such dedicated and caring individuals. She feels it was an honor to have been mentored so closely by Erin Lawson, especially as she was fresh out of college. Erin has helped her to grow my communication, marketing, and conflict resolution skills that have served her not only in her role at United Way but as a foundation for her continued professional development.
It is an honor to have Serena as such a vital part of the United Way of Frederick County team. She is a passionate and dependable professional whose kindness and hard work continue to transform the lives of thousands of ALICE households and volunteers in the Frederick community.
– Ken Oldham, President & CEO
Learn more about United Way of Frederick County
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