08/19/2026
A new school year should mean new backpacks, new teachers, and new beginnings—not wondering where you’ll sleep tonight.
As children across Frederick County head back to school today, we can’t forget the sobering reality facing thousands of children across our country.
According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, 148,238 children under the age of 18 experienced homelessness on a single night in January 2024—a 33% increase from the year before. Children experienced the largest increase of any age group. At the same time, homelessness among people in families with children rose by 39%.
Here in Frederick County, Beyond Shelter is working EVERY DAY to change that story.
Since opening our permanent Emergency Family Shelter in April 2022, we have provided shelter to 276 children—from newborns to 18-year-olds.
That means 276 children who had a safe place to sleep.
276 children who had a place to feel secure.
276 children who had the opportunity to focus on school, family, and simply being a kid.
Because behind every statistic is a child.
A child who deserves to walk into their classroom knowing they have a safe place to come home to.
When you support Beyond Shelter, you are helping make that possible. 💙
Help us provide safety, stability, and hope to children and families in our community:
https://buff.ly/4aYXD8Y
Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), 2024 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report, based on the January 2024 Point-in-Time Count.