Free Youth Financial Education Workshop Scheduled for August 9th in Frederick

inte8821 • July 26, 2012

“Youth Financial Education” workshop to be held August 9th

IHA’s Housing First program, which began in Pennsylvania in January, leaped forward with a three-year Community Impact grant awarded from the United Way of Frederick County. IHA is now able to roll out FREE Financial Education classes to our residents and the community. IHA staff member, Jennifer Minnick, will continue to manage our two Frederick properties, Weinberg House senior apartments and Natelli Manor family apartments, in addition to managing the Frederick County Housing First program.

Jennifer is collaborating with financial professionals from the community to present topics such as budgeting, basic banking, fraud prevention, and credit/debt management. Our first workshop, “Living Beyond Paycheck to Paycheck,” was held July 19th from 6:30 to 7:30 PM. The workshop, led by Scott McCaskill, a certified financial planner, was well attended and of course, everyone loved the cookies provided by Uncle Ralph’s.

The next workshop on August 9th from 6:30 to 7:30 PM is also free (as all of the workshops will be) and is targeted for teenagers, but anyone who wants to attend is welcome. The workshop is being presented by Woodsboro Bank’s Assistant Branch Manager, Kellie Putman, and will include information on budgeting for future goals, the purpose and management of checking and savings accounts, and the advantages and disadvantages of credit cards.

Kellie will also be leading a workshop on September 13th on basic banking information for adults.

Please call Jennifer at 301-662-4225 x1216 if you are interested in volunteering as a presenter or if you would like to attend one of our upcoming workshops. For more information on the Housing First program please visit the webpage on our website under Programs-Housing First

2025 Out of Reach

By Jodie Ostoich • September 8, 2025
Maryland and Frederick County: A Growing Housing Affordability Crisis Each year around this time, I share data that highlights the growing challenge of housing affordability in Maryland—and this year is no exception. Maryland now ranks as the 8th most expensive state in terms of wages needed to afford a modest two-bedroom apartment. A worker must earn $39.15 per hour —or nearly $81,450 annually —just to meet that threshold. Unfortunately, the situation in Frederick County is even more severe. Alongside Calvert and Charles counties, Frederick tops the list, requiring a staggering $44.50 per hour —equivalent to $92,560 annually —to afford a two-bedroom apartment.  Meanwhile, the average renter in Frederick earns just $18.25 per hour , which translates to an affordable rent of only $949 per month —far below what the market demands. This stark disparity is exactly why the mission of Interfaith Housing Alliance (IHA) is so critical. We are committed to addressing these inequities and advocating for solutions that make safe, stable housing accessible to all. Below, you’ll find the 2025 data from the National Low Income Housing Coalition , detailing housing affordability across Maryland and its counties.

Fall Newsletter Grant Updates

By Rachel Gardner • September 8, 2025
Interfaith Housing Alliance (IHA) is proud to announce two funding awards received this quarter from community partners. In July 2025, IHA received a $3,500 grant from The Croteau Family Charitable Gift Fund, which is a donor-advised fund (DAF) held at T. Rowe Price Charitable. IHA also received a $5,000 grant from The Natelli Communities Charitable Fund of The Community Foundation of Frederick County. These unrestricted funds will support all of IHA’s endeavors in strengthening the many communities we serve.

Build Confidence With Your Finances at Financial Freedom Bootcamp

By Lacy Allen • September 8, 2025
Money can sometimes feel overwhelming—but it doesn’t have to! This October, Interfaith Housing Alliance is offering our next Financial Freedom Bootcamp, a free, two-part workshop designed to help you take positive steps toward financial stability and confidence.  The bootcamp kicks off with an in-person workshop on October 15th from 5:30–7:00pm, where participants will explore the building blocks of financial health. You’ll learn how to create a budget that actually works for your lifestyle, discover the best practices for saving, and walk away with strategies for reducing debt in realistic and manageable ways. After the first session, participants are invited to take part in an optional virtual Credit Café, a supportive space to dive deeper into questions about credit and money management. This extra resource helps reinforce what you’ve learned and gives you the chance to connect with others working toward similar goals. The second workshop will be held virtually on October 29th from 5:30–7:00pm, making it convenient to join from home. This session will focus on building confidence when communicating with creditors, understanding your credit, and setting SMART goals to stay on track for the future. Together, these two sessions provide practical, easy-to-use tools to support your financial journey. No matter where you are starting from—whether you’re new to budgeting, trying to rebuild your credit, or just looking for ways to feel more in control—Financial Freedom Bootcamp is a welcoming and encouraging place to begin. At a Glance What : Financial Freedom Bootcamp – free, two-part workshop series When: October 15th (in-person) & October 29th (virtual), both 5:30–7:00pm Topics: Budgeting, saving, debt reduction, credit confidence, SMART goal setting Extras: Optional virtual Credit Café between sessions Register: Contact Lacy Allen at lames@interfaithhousing.org or 301-662-4425 ext. 1203
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