Happy fall y’all! Our October newsletter builds on last month’s theme of Autumn change. As the cold chill continues to settle in and the leaves begin to fall from the trees, our guests continue to see lots of positive changes in their lives, thanks to you! We are also making some changes with our monthly newsletter, as you may have noticed! We hope this new structure will give you access to even more news about the impact of your generosity and help you identify those TIS topics that speak directly to your heart. Please take a moment to complete the one-question survey below to let us know if you like it!
Scroll down to see the amazing changes that YOU made possible for our guests this month!
Letter from the Executive Director
In her October letter, Executive Director Julie Lowe discusses the importance of Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Month, which we commemorate throughout the month of November.
We have tons of incredible news from our guests this month, but we want to begin by celebrating our newest S4 Program graduate, Waldo! Waldo started in our singles shelter, Evelyn’s Place, worked incredibly hard, and took advantage of all of the resources and assistance he was offered. For the past several months, he has been living in one of our transitional apartments.
Waldo is so appreciative of the help you have provided him that, while he could have stayed longer in transitional housing, he chose to move out early to make room so that another guest could have the same opportunity that you provided him. We could not be more proud of Waldo and all that he has accomplished!
But that’s not all… We’re celebrating TWO S4 Program graduations this month! A family of five graduated from Easton’s Promise into the brand new Doverbrook development in Easton. We are thrilled that they were able to move directly from the shelter into their own housing, and we wish them lots of continued Success!
Another guest, Ashley, took the next step in the S4 Program, moving from Evelyn’s Place into transitional housing. Ashley will continue to receive guidance and encouragement as she gradually works towards full self-sufficiency!
Guests have been busy taking two of our most important life skills classes. Eight participated in a financial literacy and resume building class in partnership with the Neighborhood Service Center, while another seven completed Job Readiness training. These classes are paying off, with three guests obtaining employment in October! Please join us in congratulating Shiniqua, who is now working at Bayleigh Chase, Autumn, who secured a job at Panera Bread, and Ella (name changed), the newest employee at FedEx!
In addition, one of our senior guests submitted his application for Social Security benefits with the help of his Case Manager.
Our children had a spookily good time during our TIS Halloween Party at Vine Street over the weekend, where they watched a movie, did crafts, and enjoyed special treats! It was totally fa-boo-lous!
Your generous and compassionate support makes these successes possible. We are so grateful!
It has been another busy month for Team TIS, and we are so grateful for all of the wonderful volunteers who give of their time and talents to ensure that our daily operations run smoothly. Whether they are house-sitting, delivering meals for our guests to share during their nightly “family dinner,” helping organize supply donations, assisting at community events, or a multitude of other tasks, we could not carry out our mission without your help! You are our heroes every day!
Read about a few fun highlights from the month of October below:
Life Saving Lessons
We want to extend a special thank you to TIS Volunteer and hospital volunteer Bill Wison for hosting a CPR class for some of our staff and guests.This program is made possible by Easton Memorial Hospital, and provides Team TIS with crucial skills that help ensure the safety of our guests, staff, and volunteers. Thank you Bill, and thank you Easton Memorial!
A Visit To Fello
TIS is fortunate to partner with many local organizations to provide our guests with the resources and tools they need to succeed.This month, Executive Director Julie Lowe visited one of our partners, Fello, for a “fireside chat” with Judi Olinger. The two spoke about our valuable housing partnership.
We are excited to continue partnering with local arts organizations! This month, we had the pleasure of meeting with the CEO and Board Chair of the Kent Cultural Alliance, as well as the three resident artists from their HOME project, Claudio Beorchia, Peter Bruun, and Rachel Seburn. We enjoyed lunch together, and then screened Anita Groener and Matt Kressling’s ‘Shelter’ film at our Vine Street offices.
Staff and board members met with nonprofit consultant Jayme Dingler of What’s Good, LLC for an engaging chat about board fundraising!
TIS staff and volunteers also participated in several fun community events, including Talbot County Resource Day, Talbot Humane’s Trunk or Treat, and Boo-nanza at the Talbot County Community Center.
Watch the slideshow below to see some of your fellow Team TIS members in action this month!
'Shelter' Film Earns Award At Chesapeake Film Festival
Anita Groener’s “To The Edge Of Your World” exhibit, featuring the short film ‘Shelter,’ closed out at the Academy Art Museum this month. In addition, on October 10th (coinciding with World Homelessness Day), the film premiered at the Chesapeake Film Festival. This inspiring film, featuring stories from guests in our S4 Program, won the Spotlight on Maryland Award at the festival! We are so grateful to Anita and documentarian Matt Kresling for helping share the stories of those we serve and drawing attention to our local homelessness crisis.
We will be hosting a screening of the film during Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Month on November 13th at 5:30 pm at 133 Vine Street in Easton. Space is limited. Please RSVP by clicking here or emailing jessejohnson@talbotinterfaithshelter.org.
Remembering Our Dear Friend, Mike Hiner
It is with great sadness that we share the passing of a beloved member of Team TIS – Mike Hiner.
Mike was an exemplary human being, full of faith and a calling to help people. He was a staunch supporter of TIS, donating his time to advise us on building-related topics, leading a team through his church – St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran in Cordova – on the first day of every month, and sponsoring TIS events.
Mike and St. Paul’s were the very first team to sign up when we opened our first permanent shelter, Easton’s Promise, in November of 2014. The team is still strong, eleven years later.
Before Easton’s Promise, St. Paul’s hosted our rotating cold-weather shelter the first two weeks every January. When one of our early guests was starting his own construction business, Mike made sure he had all the tools needed to get up and running.
TIS is just one of many organizations touched by Mike’s kindness. His company, Willow Construction generously supports the good work of many nonprofits in our community.
Mike made an indelible impact on so many lives, motivated only by the desire to help others. His loss is felt so deeply by so many, but we know that his devotion to our community will leave a lasting legacy – one of compassion, faith, and generosity.
Thank you, Mike.
Among the many talented members of Team TIS is writer, Sheila Buckmaster! We are very excited to announce that Sheila will be profiling our extraordinary staff, volunteers and donors for a new monthly series entitled “Meet Team TIS!”
Each month, Sheila will introduce us to a new member of Team TIS. This month, she is starting with our fearless leader, Julie Lowe!
Click the button below to read Sheila’s article!
November is Hunger and Homeless Awareness Month. We are teaming up with local businesses and organizations to host a number of events raising awareness for the crisis of homelessness in our community. Scroll down for a list of events. It’s not too late to partner with us! If your business or organization would like to do something to commemorate Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Month, contact Laura Richeson at lauraricheson@talbotinterfaithshelter.org or 443-786-6962.
Help us "hammer" out homelessness when you enter to win a one-of-a-kind hand-crocheted blue crab purse made by our Volunteer Coordinator and Development Assistant, Jesse Johnson! Tickets are 1 for $10 or 3 for $20! You'll definitely want to "shell" out for a chance to win this special gift. Get your claws on your raffle tickets today!
We are teaming up with several local businesses and organizations to collect much-needed household items for our shelters and transitional apartments in honor of Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Month. Stay tuned for a list of participating businesses!
Several wonderful local businesses will be collecting financial donations in support of our mission throughout the month of November in honor of Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Month. Read more for a list of participating locations!
Doc's Downtown Grille and Legal Assets are serving up meals with a mission in honor of Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Month! Every Thursday, dine at one of these extraordinary Easton eateries and a portion of your meal will be donated to help our neighbors overcome homelessness!
Join us for TIS Ambassador training! Get an in depth overview of Talbot Interfaith Shelter, our S4 Program (Shelter, Stability, Support, Success), and how your support transforms lives and leave equipped to share your passion for TIS with others!
Doc's Downtown Grille and Legal Assets are serving up meals with a mission in honor of Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Month! Every Thursday, dine at one of these extraordinary Easton eateries and a portion of your meal will be donated to help our neighbors overcome homelessness!
Join us for a screening of Anita Groener and Matt Kresling's incredibly impactful 'Shelter' film, featuring the stories of TIS guests. Don't miss out on your chance to see the film that won the Spotlight on Maryland Award at the 2025 Chesapeake Film Festival!
Culinary delights for a cause? Yes please!! Enjoy dinner at Ruse in St. Michaels on Tuesday, November 18th, and 10% of the proceeds from your meal will be donated in support of our mission!
Doc's Downtown Grille and Legal Assets are serving up meals with a mission in honor of Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Month! Every Thursday, dine at one of these extraordinary Easton eateries and a portion of your meal will be donated to help our neighbors overcome homelessness!
There are so many ways to partner with Talbot Interfaith Shelter to fight homelessness on the Mid-Shore. With your help, we provide Shelter, Stability, Support, and a path to Success for our neighbors in need. Scroll down to explore opportunities to help and choose those that speak to your heart. No matter how you participate, we are so grateful to have you on Team TIS!
We are incredibly fortunate to operate in a community that supports us in so many ways. Our local business community is no exception. Many amazing business partners help us to fulfill our mission. There are partnerships at various financial levels, each with benefits that help our partners maximize their advertising dollars while changing the lives of families and individuals in our community.
If you are interested in learning more about becoming a business partner, or need information about how to return your application, contact Laura Richeson at lauraricheson@talbotinterfaithshelter.org or 443-786-6962 or simply fill out the form below.
Our Business Partners
Keys to Success Partners
Raise the Roof Partners
Home Builder Partners
Open Doors Partners
Foundation Partners
Eastern Shore Title Co.
Blue Heron Coffee
Scossa Restaurant
Blue Heron Catering
Sentry Management