United Way’s Summer Serve Youth Volunteers Built a Waist-High Planter Box for our Seniors
inte8821 • July 27, 2012
Seniors at IHA’s Weinberg House Apartments in Frederick are looking forward to planting flowers and vegetables in the new waist-high planter box that was built especially for them by some of the youth volunteers participating in the Summer Serve program managed by the United Way of Frederick County.
Brian Duchon, the Community Impact Director for the United Way, worked right along with the teens to build the planter from scratch. Pictured along with Brian (in the hat) is volunteer Sean Gribben.
Jennie Williams, an American Studies major at UMBC, assisted Brian with the volunteer program. Here she is (on the left) with some of the volunteers as they study the plans for the project.
Some of the volunteers sanding before the final paint is applied.
The volunteers also planted flowers, washed off the plastic patio furniture and painted the wooden rocking chairs.
All of the building material was generously donated by Lowe’s.
Thanks to everyone for making this project so successful!
A quarter of grant wins, community partnerships, and small moments that remind us why this work matters. Here's what's been happening at Interfaith Housing Alliance since the summer. GRANTS & FUNDING: Four New Grants Fuel IHA's Work This Quarter Interfaith Housing Alliance is proud to announce four funding awards totaling $220,000 during the last quarter from our community partners. In June 2026, IHA was awarded a $30,000 grant by Ausherman Family Foundation. This capacity-building grant will provide funding support for the organization during its transition to new leadership. It will also support IHA's work with key community consultants with the goal of recentering IHA's programs and services in Frederick, MD. In July 2026, IHA was awarded a $125,000 grant from Morgan Stanley. This operational grant supports IHA in its ongoing quest to create and provide affordable housing opportunities for low- to moderate-income (LMI) community members. It also supports IHA's continued community programming, which provides access to financial education and affordable homeownership opportunities. In August 2026, IHA received two funding awards in support of IHA's Financial Dignity and Empowerment Services. IHA was awarded a $30,000 grant from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development's (DHCD) Maryland Housing Counseling Fund (MHCF). IHA was also awarded a $35,000 grant by Rural Maryland Council (RMC) through their Maryland Agricultural Education and Rural Development Assistance Fund (MAERDAF) program. These grants will support the full spectrum of community programming IHA offers, including group educational workshops on financial health, individualized financial coaching and housing counseling, and pathways to affordable homeownership. We are deeply grateful to these partners for their continued investment in this community.
Exciting, the final renovations of the last two units are underway at Weinberg House, a long-standing affordable senior living community in Fredrick, Maryland. Originally built in 1994, the property provided safe, stable housing for older adults for decades. Renovations began on May 1, 2023. At that time, they had a total of 23 units to renovate. The renovations included freshly painted walls, new carpet in the bedrooms, new flooring in the other rooms, new cabinets in the bathroom, as well as new kitchen cupboards, fixtures and new appliances. The final two units will be ready for lease up June 15, 2026. The renovation of Weinberg House represents a meaningful investment in both people and place. By modernizing the property while protecting its mission, this project will help ensure that affordable, welcoming housing remains available for seniors for years to come. It is an encouraging example of how thoughtful redevelopment can strengthen communities and honor the residents who call them home.
In March 2026, IHA was awarded a $50,000 grant through the Frederick County Government’s Helping Empower Area Resources Together (HEART). These one-time operational funds were awarded to mitigate the effects of the longest federal government shutdown in history. This grant has allowed IHA to continue providing essential programs and services to Frederick County residents despite challenges at the federal level. IHA was also awarded a $5,000 grant from the City of Frederick through the Community Promotion Grant program. This grant supports aging in place and youth development needs among City residents through IHA’s Supportive Services. The program serves residents of IHA’s senior and multi-family affordable rental communities at 222 Broadway Street (Weinberg House) and 520 N. Market Street, respectively. In April 2026, IHA was also awarded a $25,000 Community Partnership Grant from Frederick County Government. This grant supports IHA’s full range of Financial Dignity and Empowerment Services, including our homeownership and financial education programming. IHA’s Purchase-Repair Program provides an avenue to homeownership for those who otherwise would not qualify for a traditional home loan. In Credit Café, participants work specifically on improving their credit. Financial Freedom Bootcamp helps participants improve their skills in budgeting, saving, debt reduction, and financial goal setting. The Frederick Affordable Housing Incubator (FAHI) brings multiple sectors together to increase the affordable housing inventory in Frederick County.