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Happy Halloween!
Throughout October, you supported 43 of our neighbors by providing them with homes in our safe shelters and transitional apartments. Your support goes far beyond shelter... you ensure that they have access to tools and resources to help them break the cycle of homelessness.
Scroll down to read what YOU made possible at TIS in October!
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Letter from the Executive Director - October 2024 | | |
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This month, our E.D., Julie Lowe, delves into the perennial fight to keep our shelters open and running, kicking off Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Month for the duration of November. Read on to discover her take on how these seemingly invisible issues make up the underbelly of our counties' populations on the
Mid Shore and beyond. Plus, a few words about our upcoming bodacious 80s Night!
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Our guests are thriving in the S4 Program, thanks to YOU! | | |
Devon Hainey visits Evelyn's Place. | |
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As the Money Fundamentals Class led by Mrs. Cyndy Klinger wraps up, our guests have gained essential budgeting techniques and financial literacy that will transform their economic stability. This week, Cyndy covered Certificates of Deposit among other topics, and was joined by Mr. Devon Hainey, local Branch Manager at Truist in Easton on October 28th. Devon offered his expertise and fielded questions to help TIS guests gain a grasp of financial literacy concepts.
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Under the guidance of Dewayne Camper (TIS Case Manager), Wendy and Nia each began exciting new jobs this month! Wendy is working hard to save up as part of the hospitality team at St. Michaels Harbour Inn, and Nia is picking up new skills and making connections daily at Candlelight Cove in Easton. We are cheering them on each day at Evelyn's Place as they move past the training stage and settle into their new professional routines.
Meanwhile, Waldo not only saved enough to purchase a new vehicle but also received a promotion from his previous position at Legal Assets! Additionally, he is on the verge of graduating from living in the individuals' shelter house to a transitional apartment by the end of this year until he's ready to find his own housing. With strategic case management from TIS and his strong work ethic and attitude of gratitude, Waldo is well-equipped for a successful future. Our married couple at Evelyn's Place, the Rawlings, are also prepared to move into transitional housing by 2025!
As the adults at Easton's Promise continue on with the Parenting Class, the Evelyn's Place guests just wrapped up their Untangling Relationships Class, with nine individuals receiving certificates of completion! Next up is the Job Readiness course as they continue to move through the S4 Program on the path to success. Additionally, on December 3rd, Nykol from Wellpoint will be visiting Easton's Promise to share resources and answer questions about medical care access for adults, babies, and children. She will also cover nursing help lines, special programs, specialized services, hospital care, and prescription coverage.
Our TIS Case Manager, Kirstie Kingston, provided an extra learning opportunity in October courtesy of Pat Hervey, who visited the shelter homes on October 12th to give guests a comprehensive House Cleaning tutorial. On October 23rd, David from Caroline Culinary Arts in Denton stopped by for a tour of the kitchens ahead of the January 2025 cooking classes he will be teaching at the shelters, both followed by sit-down dinners with the guests. On November 19th, guests will also have the opportunity to sit in a session with a group from ITCH: Introduction to Careers in Healthcare, thanks to our TIS volunteer and EMT, Bill Wilson. The ITCH team will share information about EMS and careers in healthcare for both adults and teenagers living at TIS. Thank you Kirstie, for this invaluable programming!
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Lastly, we want to acknowledge Hugh, a newer addition to Evelyn's Place. Hugh has a green thumb and a knack for landscaping, and a relentless work ethic. You can often find him outside at the shelter homes keeping things extremely tidy with the leaf blower, or setting out little piles of feed for the birds, squirrels and little critters who call our backyards home. Hugh has a caring and gentle soul, and we wish him an early Happy Veterans Day and thank him for his service. | |
Hugh leaves piles of squirrel food out daily. | |
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Thank you for making all of these successes and learning opportunities possible for our guests at TIS.
You are changing lives every single day!
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Dine to Donate: Legal Assets | Every Thursday in November is a Dine to Donate day at Legal Assets in Easton during Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Month! 10% of proceeds will be donated to TIS, so invite your friends to enjoy a fantastic meal and a perfect opportunity to indulge in great food while making a positive impact in our community. Make a reservation today and join TIS in fighting hunger and homelessness on the Mid Shore. | | |
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Dine to Donate:
Doc's Downtown Grille
| If you're more in the mood for casual dining, drop by Doc's in Easton every Thursday in November, while 10% of proceeds will be donated to TIS! Gather your friends or coworkers to indulge in delicious food while making a real difference in our community. Don’t forget to mark your calendar! | | |
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Join us at the Ivy Cafe in Easton on
Friday, November 15 from 11 AM - 2 PM! Enjoy a delicious lunch while supporting TIS, as 20% of the proceeds will be donated directly to helping our neighbors in need. Rally your friends and family for a day of community impact at The Ivy!
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Big Hair, Big Hearts:
TIS 80s Night Fundraiser!
| Come bust a move at Dancing Through the Decades: Big Hair, Big Hearts! On November 23rd at 7:00 PM at the Elks Lodge in Easton, MD, we’re going to party like it's 1985, serving up a live 80s band, arcade games, delicious food, signature cocktails, an 80s photobooth courtesy of Fotoberry and a silent auction - bidding is open now! See you there, dude! | |
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Saturday, November 23
7:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Elks Lodge
502 Dutchman's Ln
Easton, MD 21601
Join TIS for a bodacious night of dancing at Big Hair, Big Hearts: TIS 80s Night! We're dancing through the decades at the Elks Lodge in Easton, MD, and serving up neon lights, BIG hair, a live band playing all the 80s hits, arcade games, a Costume Contest, a Big Hair Contest, gourmet hors d'oeuvres, signature cocktails, an 80s photo booth, and an INCREDIBLE silent auction - bid early HERE!
Get your tickets today before they sell out, put on your raddest outfit, grab your friends, and tease up your hair to help support local families and individuals in need!
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We need YOUR help!
Join us in impacting our community by volunteering at Talbot Interfaith Shelter in Easton, Maryland. By dedicating just one day a month of your time, you could contribute to meal preparation, accepting donations, and answering the phone and doors while our team is hard at work. Volunteering with us is a rewarding experience and a powerful way to demonstrate your commitment to social responsibility and community support.
Our dedicated Volunteer Coordinator, Jesse Johnson, will be delighted to provide information regarding upcoming volunteer opportunities and other helpful details. To get involved, visit talbotinterfaithshelter.org, call 410-690-3120 or click the "Email Jesse" button above. We look forward to the possibility of partnering with you to create positive change throughout our community!
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October flew by for Team TIS, in what has been a month brimming with community events! A ton of people showed up to the Talbot County Resource Expo where TIS handed out resources for families and spread the word about the S4 Program. That same Saturday, Laura held down the fort at Oxford Community Day at the Oxford Community Center, where she fielded questions about TIS's S4 Program and connected with several new eager volunteers!
Hudson attended the OBA's Picket Fence Auction later that same evening at the Oxford Community Center along with a crowd of local nonprofits and their supporters. We give an extra special thanks to local artist and naturalist Sue Stockman, who painted the TIS's 2024 picket fence with a beautiful butterfly theme representing transformation and growth. Her fence raised $425 at the live auction event, and we could not be more grateful the generous support!
Speaking of Sue, she dropped by the shelter houses in Easton to meet with Julie Lowe and Kirstie Kingston to discuss a TIS mosaic signage project at Easton's Promise planned to be completed 2025. Upon completion of the initial project, Sue will design and execute one next door in Spring 2025 at Evelyn’s Place. We can't wait to have her beautiful work on display at our shelter homes!
Our guests are blessed daily with delicious meals, prepared with love by our dedicated volunteers and shared around the dinner table with gratitude and joy. Our house sitters and new volunteers like Ralph DeMarco and Dr. Carl Johnson continue to provide relief and stability for our hard-working staff. Rise Up Coffee Roasters once again gifted the shelters with delicious coffee beans, fueling our shelter guests and support staff for Success!
TIS' maintenance dream team, Will and Jesse, have installed a new upstairs toilet and plumbing at Evelyn's Place, and are readying a vacant room for a new family over at Easton's Promise. Other progress they've made this month includes getting apartments ready for inspection, and completing home maintenance repairs for our residents living in transitional apartments.
Take a look at the slide show below to see just a few of our Team TIS highlights from the month of October!
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In Loving Memory of Keith Camp
It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of our beloved house supervisor, Keith Camp. Since joining Team TIS in 2014, Keith has been an integral part of our community. His dedication and warmth made him a familiar face at Easton's Promise, where he truly "held down the fort" on weekends. Julie Lowe, TIS Executive Director, shared these heartfelt words:
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"Keith has been the staunchest supporter of our Program, as he and his son were a part of it back when we were a rotating cold weather overnight shelter. His family was TIS's first success. Keith was always welcoming and talkative to anyone who came into the houses—guests, volunteers, and staff alike. We had many talks about gratitude and how if people would just be more grateful, their lives would be much better. He was a true shining star and loved by all. He is sorely missed."
Keith’s kindness, spirit, and insights touched so many lives. Let us honor his memory by carrying forward his message of gratitude and support for one another, and by supporting his only son, Jason.
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November is Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Month
#HHAM
Each year, as winter approaches and the temperatures drop, TIS and many other nonprofits, community groups, and caring neighbors take the month of November to observe Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Month.
The most common reaction of someone learning about the hungry and homeless populations here on Maryland's Mid Shore is genuine surprise; because of our rural surroundings, homeless people are often "invisible" to the general population as they blend in with the general population during the day before seeking shelter on church porches, park benches, and under bushes each night.
The good news is that you have the opportunity to take meaningful action right in your community. Whether it's organizing a food drive, volunteering at a local shelter, or simply spreading awareness about the challenges faced by our neighbors, your effort counts. This month, let’s come together to support those in need and create a stronger, more compassionate community. Your involvement can bring hope and tangible relief to those who are struggling.
Ways to Support HHAM
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Consider volunteering with TIS, donating to TIS, or sharing information about TIS and local food pantries with your friends and family. Together, we can create lasting change and ensure that everyone has enough to eat and a safe place to call home. | |
We hope you will consider joining the TIS Promise Keepers as a monthly or quarterly donor. We currently have 68 amazing Promise Keepers, with a goal to reach 100 by the end of this year. | |
By becoming a TIS Promise Keeper, your recurring support provides stable, predictable funding, which helps ensure that our guests receive uninterrupted services 365 days a year. We are so fortunate to partner with our recurring donors in the fight against homelessness in our community! | |
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Have you heard about our 2024-2025 Board of Directors? TIS is lucky to have these talented individuals as ambassadors for our mission to fight homelessness on the Mid-Shore. Each Board Member brings immense talent and dedication to their role, and we are so grateful for their selfless service and effort!
Peter Woicke (Board Chair)
Ross Benincasa (Vice Chair)
Lawrence Neviaser (Treasurer)
Ben Jensen (Secretary)
Ann Davis
Debra Kamsheh
Ingrid Diaz-Lopez
Charlene DeShields
Rudy Reyes-Delcid
Michele Dappert
Meghann Rauch
Jim Reed
Sharon VanEmburgh
Craig Postlewait
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We would be so grateful for your help stocking up on any of the following items:
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Paper Towels
Swiffer Wet Cloths
Fresh Fruit
Mouthwash
Dishwashing Liquid
Hair Conditioner
Vacuum-seal Storage Bags
Laundry Hampers
Bleach
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Q-tips (Small Packs)
Mr. Clean Spray Cleaner
Body Wash
Twin Mattresses + Bed Frames
Laundry Detergent Pods
2025 Planners
Bed Sheets (Size Full)
Pine Sol
Trash Bags (Industrial Size)
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These and other items can be found on our Amazon Wish List by clicking the button below.**Please include your name on the Amazon order so that we can thank you for your generosity!**
Donations can be dropped off or shipped to the address below:
Talbot Interfaith Shelter
107 Goldsborough Street
Easton, MD 21601
Thank you SO MUCH for helping us to provide our guests with basic essentials!
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Follow our Facebook page or check the donate page on our website for weekly updates on our most pressing needs each Wednesday. | |
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We are fortunate to have the support of our wonderful business community. Thank you to our amazing Business Partners!
To learn more about becoming a TIS Business Partner, please contact
Laura at lauraricheson@talbotinterfaithshelter.org or 443-786-6962.
Visit Business Partner Page
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Raise the Roof Level Partners | |
Home Builder Level Partners | |
Foundation Level Partners | |
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Blue Heron Catering
Blue Heron Coffee
Eastern Shore TItle Co.
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Scossa Restaurant
Shoreline Pest Solutions
Wawa
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Get in touch!
Phone: (410) 690-3120
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