IHA’s Director of Programs and Community Relations Wins Prestigious Leadership Award

inte8821 • May 30, 2013

Mary Ellen Mitchell was selected as the recipient of the 2013 Kitty Reed Outstanding Leadership Award!

Here is the article published in the Frederick News-Post on May 30, 2013:

Mary Ellen Mitchell’s service to the community through nonprofit and educational organizations was highlighted Wednesday when she received the third annual Kitty Reed Outstanding Leadership Award at the Leadership Frederick County Graduation & Alumni Celebration.

Kathryn “Kitty” Mercer Reed was the first female chairwoman of the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce’s board of directors and served as the chamber’s executive director from 1980 to 1993. Reed also initiated the Leadership Frederick County program and was known for her enthusiastic and passionate dedication to the chamber, the community and its members.

Many nominees for the award have impressive records of volunteering and public service, said Diane DeMarco, who nominated Mitchell for the award.

“What makes Mary Ellen stand out is that she has founded or co-founded a number of successful fundraising events and these events continue to this day,” DeMarco said.

Through her career, Mitchell has raised more than $4 million for Frederick County nonprofit organizations and has recruited and trained thousands of volunteers in her 20-plus years in Frederick County for nonprofit employers and for causes near and dear to her heart to expand awareness, educate and improve the lives of the less fortunate in the county, DeMarco said.

Mitchell, who is director of programs and community relations at Interfaith Housing Alliance, is a 2008 Leadership Frederick County alumna and member of the LFC Council. She is the first woman to win the Kitty Reed Leadership Award. The previous winners were Fred Genau and Michael Boyd.

“Leadership Frederick County is probably one of the most significant impacts on my life, both personally and professionally, and I am very honored to receive this award,” Mitchell said. “I can hardly walk downtown without running into someone affiliated with Leadership Frederick County.

“Fredericktonians are so interested in making our community better. We take so much pride in our community and I’m happy that each graduate has committed to making a difference.”

Keynote graduation ceremony speaker Bill Graham encouraged the 43 new Leadership Frederick County graduates to lead with passion and emotion.

Leadership is not a promotion and being in charge does not make you a leader; it’s a responsibility, said Graham, a corporate and organizational trainer.

“As leaders, you have to find a way to get into people’s heads,” Graham said. “Be in a constant state of being better. There’s no reason to accept the status quo in what we do. Change is the only way we get better.”
Leadership is not just about taking in information, said Graham, who is on the faculty of Seton Hall’s communications department, George Mason’s sports management department, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Institute for Organizational Management.

“You take the information so you can lead passionately,” Graham said. “As leaders, you get to say, ‘Now, I get the chance to set a course, to row faster and better.’

“You’ve been given the opportunity to imagine a better Frederick, and I challenge you to do so.”
The new LFC class has given more than 1,200 hours of volunteer service to six local nonprofits, which amounts to about $80,000.

Credits: Ike Wilson, Staff Reporter, and Graham Cullen, Staff Photographer

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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