Community News

July 15, 2023

“Asbury United Methodist hosts annual block party, receives county proclamation”

“At the start of Asbury United Methodist Church’s 11th annual block party, Frederick County Executive Jessica Fitzwater took to a small stage alongside members of the church, holding a blue folder.

Fitzwater recognized Asbury for being “an entry point to the entire community” and bringing people together. As a ‘thank you’ to the church and acknowledgment of their work, she delivered a proclamation: July 15, 2023, was officially declared Asbury Community Day.”

Read more on The Frederick News-Post.

July 3, 2023

“Summer programs have transformative impact on youth development”

“City Youth Matrix, a nonprofit founded by teacher Aaron Vetter in 2018, helps families with limited resources access all types of extracurricular activities that empower young minds and nurture children’s potential. Through an array of supports and services, the organization works to eliminate financial, transportation and cultural barriers to activities and programs.

According to Vetter, 40% of Frederick County’s youth do not experience ongoing extracurricular activities between the ages of 4-18. Studies have shown that extracurricular activities provide countless benefits including reducing stress, improving mood and providing a sense of fulfillment, in addition to supporting social, emotional, cognitive and academic development.”

Read more on The Frederick News-Post.

November 19, 2022

“Boat festival brings lights, colors to Carroll Creek”

“Aaron Vetter, of the City Youth Matrix, watched as his organization’s boat, the Ribboncutter, was prepared for the water. The organization works to remove fees and other barriers for children to participate in extracurricular activities. They teamed with the construction firm Morgan-Keller, whose employees constructed the boat.

A lot of employees volunteered their time to work on the boat, said Matt Trendell of Morgan-Keller. They wanted to make it kid-friendly, and something that people of all ages could enjoy, he said.

The boat features a Lego theme, since one of their main points of interest is getting kids involved in activities that promote science, technology, engineering and mathematics, Vetter said. “We love Legos,” he said. “That’s a big thing.”

Read more on The Frederick News-Post.

February 8, 2022

“City Youth Matrix hosts woodworking workshop with Frederick Police Department”

“City Youth Matrix hosts a 4-week woodworking series in partnership with Frederick Police Department.

‘As a longtime public education teacher myself and still doing that, we recognize the need to connect children with these opportunities and remove the barriers that exist,’ said Aaron Vetter, Founder and Executive Director of City Youth Matrix.

‘The woodworking is merely a vehicle for teaching kids how to use their hands so that they can problem-solve and fix problems themselves,’ said Lt. John Corbett, Commander, FPD Special Operations Division.

‘There’s a lot of kids who don’t have dads who could teach them how to make stuff, so the fact that people could come here to learn how to make stuff just really makes me happy,’ said Liam Kalbskopf, 9-year-old Woodworker.”

January 13, 2022

“Market Street Mile raises $8,000 for local runners”

“On Sept. 11, the Frederick Steeplechasers hosted the 39th running of the Market Street Mile, kicking off Celebrate Frederick’s In The Streets festival… Five hundred dollars of the proceeds benefited the Lincoln Elementary School Panther Running Club, which is managed by the Frederick Steeplechasers Running Club. The free after-school Panther Running Club introduces running to students in grades two through five. The remainder of the proceeds, $7,529.48, went to City Youth Matrix (CYM). CYM provides access to after-school enrichment programs by eliminating financial, transportation and cultural barriers for Frederick area children.

‘Market Street Mile’s mission is to put on a quality race while supporting Frederick area children in need. City Youth Matrix and the Panther program certainly fit the latter objective,’ Lou King, race director for the Market Street Mile, said. Highlighting the race’s sponsors, King also added, ‘We couldn’t do this without our generous sponsors. This year we welcomed our new Premier Sponsor, Rehab2Perform. We’re so happy for their support.’

The Frederick Steeplechasers Running Club has been supporting the local running community since 1975. The four Signature Races hosted by the Steeplechasers in 2021 raised more than $63,000 for the wider Frederick community, reflecting the club’s commitment to making Frederick a better place for all its residents.”

November 21, 2021

“Sailing through winter solstice launches in Carroll Creek”

“Stulz’s forklifts dutifully buzzed up and down the side of the creek, helping the sailboats into the water. One of those boats being launched was sponsored by Morgan-Keller Construction, who were using the boat to raise money for City Youth Matrix. The relatively new nonprofit organization has a goal of helping local families break down the barriers standing between their children and a number of enrichment activities.

Aaron Vetter, founder and executive director of City Youth Matrix, said the boat is the physical representation of a ‘wonderful partnership’ between his organization and the construction firm. The sailboat was decorated with Lego and Tonka trucks, and Vetter said the decorations are ‘perfect synergy’ between the two groups’ goals.

“The center of our mission at City Youth Matrix is to connect at-risk youth and their families with enrichment opportunities so they can reach their full potential, so it’s a perfect combination,” he said.

Vetter said this sailboat is the first time his organization has been represented in the annual event, and his group was ‘right on board’ when approached by Morgan-Keller Construction…”

This article was also featured in The Frederick News-Post.

Do Good-er Awards

Please join us in congratulating our founder and Executive Director, Aaron Vetter, for being nominated as a Do-Gooder! He is in great company with many community partners. We are excited for him to receive this honor!

August 27, 2021

“City Youth Matrix Receives Support From Impact Club of Frederick”

"City Youth Matrix, a nonprofit in Frederick, was awarded a $31,600 check from the Impact Club of Frederick at its May meeting at Idiom Brewery in Frederick. Aaron Vetter, executive director of City Youth Matrix, was invited to speak to members of the club about his nonprofit. Upon notice of the award, Vetter said, “We love what the Impact Club of Frederick is about and how they fill a need and a gap. This is an incredible blessing.

We are grateful and charged up for what is ahead.” The nonprofit was one of three local charities who competed for the quarterly club award with a five-minute speech….”