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Read on to find out what YOU made possible at Talbot Interfaith Shelter this month! |
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Thanks to YOU, we served 42 people this month, including:
15 Single Individuals
14 Families
27 Children
Guests ranged in age from 2 weeks to 65 years old
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As April and Volunteer Appreciation Month unfolded at TIS, we were inspired by the warmth of a new season and the spirit of compassion within our community. Just as Spring breathes life into the world around us, our dedicated volunteers breathe life into our shelter, and we had a lot to be grateful for this month! We're thrilled to announce the success of our recent fundraisers, which bolster our efforts to create a brighter tomorrow for those experiencing homelessness.
Dive in to discover the impact of your support in April!
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This month, we are thrilled to highlight the steady progress and successes of our guests at Talbot Interfaith Shelter. For those of you following Ms. Jo's story, you'll be delighted to hear that Ms. Jo has moved out of Evelyn's Place and into her very own apartment in St. Michaels! She is delighted to have her own accessible ground floor space, furnished with everything she needs by Will, TIS Maintenance Coordinator, and our new Operations Assistant, Jesse, who tirelessly furnish and maintain several apartments to ensure comfortable and welcoming living spaces for our residents.
Under the guidance of our case managers, TIS welcomed three new families into Easton’s Promise under the S4 Program, marking continued steps forward in our mission to provide refuge and support to those in need. The families' children are delighted to have a growing group of peers to spend playtime with in the Easton's Promise backyard! The case managers are also happy to report one guest gaining employment, and another successfully completing a job interview this month!
The invaluable S4 Program parenting classes sponsored by the Talbot County Department of Social Services continue to be a cornerstone of support for our guests, fostering healthy family dynamics and nurturing positive relationships. Our Easton’s Promise guests are actively participating in community events, including attending the 2024 Lip Sync Battle with their families, where they joined in the spirit of celebrating unity on our mission to end homelessness.
Evelyn's Place is a currently a full house and a beacon of support for individuals seeking refuge and transformation. Noteworthy achievements including a resident embarking on their GED courses and several others taking proactive steps towards addressing their behavioral and psychological needs under the guidance of our resident mental health professional. A few guests succeeded in the recovery of important documents such as IDs and Social Security cards, marking major milestones on their paths towards self-reliance.
Finally, we are proud to celebrate the progress made in our TIS Core Value Class, now in its 8th week. This transformative program continues to instill essential life skills and values, equipping our residents with the tools they need to thrive in all aspects of their lives. Thank YOU for making this progress possible!
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Ms. Jo Makes a Move!
If you've visited or dropped off dinner to Evelyn's Place in the past year, there's a high chance you've met dear Ms. Joanna, who moved into our individual shelter house back in April 2023. Ms. Jo is known around the shelter for her extensive film knowledge, and around the town for her years of work with Neighborhood Service Center in Talbot County.
We are happy to share that after over a year of working the S4 Program under the guidance of her case manager, Ms. Jo signed a lease in late April and has recently moved out of Evelyn's Place into her own new apartment! With access to transportation and a lovely neighborhood at her doorstep, we wish Ms. Jo good luck and good health on this exciting new step of her journey.
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YOU make all of this possible. Your generosity,
kindness, and compassion changes lives for the
better. From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you!
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New Director of Operations!
Please help us welcome Lisa Niles, our new Director of Operations! We are thrilled to welcome Lisa as the newest addition to our team at TIS. With her extensive experience in operations management and a track record of driving efficiency and excellence, we are confident that Lisa will play a pivotal role in leading our operations to new heights. Her innovative mindset and dedication to fostering collaborative work environments align perfectly with our company values. As we embark on this new chapter, we look forward to working closely with Lisa and witnessing the positive impact she will undoubtedly bring to our organization.
As Lisa comes on board, we bid farewell to Fran Doran, our esteemed Director of Operations. We cannot help but reflect on the invaluable contributions she has made during her nine years with TIS. Fran's unwavering commitment to excellence, keen strategic insights, and unwavering dedication have been instrumental in shaping the success and growth of our operations division. Her leadership has left an indelible mark on our organization, and we are immensely grateful for her years of service. Though she will be greatly missed, we wish Fran all the best in her future endeavors and know that she will continue to excel in all her pursuits.
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New Operations Assistant!
Another exciting update for TIS - Jesse has joined our team as the part-time Operations Assistant! Jesse brings with her a wealth of institutional and administrative knowledge, however perhaps her most illustrious quality is her upbeat, positive approach toward tackling any type of project that comes her way. Welcome to the team, Jesse!
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Lip Sync Battle Raises $112,000+! | |
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For the 8th year in a row, the annual TIS Lip Sync Battle concluded with a joyous, exuberant live show at the Waterfowl Building on April 27th in Easton! After incredible success last year, raising nearly $83,000, TIS surpassed this year's $100,000 goal with a final fundraising total of $112,00 thanks to YOU!
This year's vibrant showcase of talent and generosity was kicked off with a heartfelt thank you from TIS Executive Director Julie Lowe, and hosted by crowd favorites Jayme D, Jay Hudson, and Ricky Vitanovec. This year's distinguished panel of judges included Talbot County Councilperson and CEO of Foundation of HOPE, Keasha Haythe, Mayor Megan Cook, and John Horner, President & COO of Easton Utilities. Current TIS resident Josh took the stage at intermission to entertain the crowd with his guitar and original music! All eight live show teams rocked the stage during the initial Freestyle round followed by the unpredictable and hilarious Roulette round, with the following teams taking home trophies at the end of the evening:
Best Fundraiser (Live Show): The Country School Faculty
Best Fundraiser (Online Video): Team TIS
Best Live Show Performance (TIE): Black Wizard, The Country School Faculty
Best Online Video Performance: The Factory
THANK YOU to all who supported the 2024 TIS Lip Sync Battle with your time, votes, and by spreading the word! Your contributions have provided shelter, support, and hope to those in need, transforming lives and creating brighter futures. As we celebrate the success of the Lip Sync Battle, we also celebrate the impact it will have in the lives of countless individuals and families facing homelessness. Together, we're not just hosting an event; we're building a community where everyone has a place to call home.
Click below to access the full live show video recording:
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Community members attend the 2024 Lip Sync Battle live show! | |
Thank You, Lip Sync Battle 2024 Sponsors! | We extend our deepest gratitude to all of the 2024 TIS Lip Sync Battle sponsors and in-kind donors, whose unwavering support propels us towards our mission of ending homelessness on Maryland's Mid Shore. Huge thanks to our Platinum Record Presenting Sponsor for two years running: Jim Vanderzon of Sun Management Technologies! Your belief in our cause and generosity have made it possible for TIS to continue its vital work. | |
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Spotlight on Team TIS
April is Volunteer Appreciation Month, and we had A LOT to be appreciative of when it comes to TIS volunteers! Thanks again to the talented teams, generous local businesses, and countless volunteers who offered their time and energy before, during and after the Lip Sync Battle live show. Did you miss out on the live event? The entire night was livestreamed and recorded - check it out HERE!
In partnership with Playa Bowls and Capriotti's, we hosted three Dine & Donate fundraisers, where 10% of all sales from these popular local restaurants were donated directly to TIS! Generous volunteers like Chef Jamie Petrides and Reggie and Jim continued to provide delicious meals and desserts each night at Easton's Promise and Evelyn's Place. Elaina Jones dropped off an incredible amount of donated supplies at Easton's Promise in partnership with the women's fellowship at Christ Church Easton, and TIS supporters from around the Mid-Shore answered the call to fulfill crucial items required by current residents on our Amazon wishlist.
We hope you will take a few moments to watch the video below and check out some of the highlights from our wonderful Team TIS this month!
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A Special Message for our Promisekeepers!
Thank you to our 51 Promisekeepers who make a recurring monthly gift in support of our mission. Your reliable generosity enables us to make a significant dent in the $1.4M we need in order to meet our operating budget for this year.
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As a thank you to our loyal Promisekeepers, TIS launched a new incentive program to show our appreciation! Each month, any enrolled TIS monthly donor is automatically be entered to win wonderful monthly prizes courtesy of local businesses like Rise Up Coffee, Easton Cycle & Sport, and Chesapeake Blooms. Our March and April winners have been chosen - stay tuned for May! | |
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To become a TIS Volunteer, contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Nancy Cummings, at 410-690-3120 or nancycummings@talbotinterfaithshelter.org.
Click the button below to meet more Team TIS members!
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If you are able to help us stock up on any of the following, we would be so grateful: | |
- Shower Curtain
- Shower Liner
- Children's Allergy Medicine
- Murphy's Oil Soap
- iPhone Chargers
- Hand Soap (Pump)
- Pine Sol Cleaning Liquid
- Fresh Fruit
- Baby Monitors
- Hot Sauce
- Coffee Maker (e.g. Mr. Coffee)
- Mr. Clean Multipurpose Cleaner
- Liquid Dish Soap (e.g. Dawn)
- All-Purpose Kitchen Knives
- Windex
- Lysol Air Sanitizer Spray
- K-Cups (Regular Coffee)
- Swiffer Wet Mopping Cloths
- Rug Freshener
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These and other items can be found on our Amazon Wish List by clicking the button below. Donations can be dropped off at or shipped to the address below:
Talbot Interfaith Shelter
107 Goldsborough Street
Easton, MD 21601
Thank you SO MUCH for helping us make sure our guests have everything they need!
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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. | |
Contact our Director of Development and Marketing, Laura Richeson, at 443-786-6962 or lauraricheson@talbotinterfaithshelter.org to find out how YOU can help us reach our fundraising goals to support our neighbors in need. | |
May is Mental Health Awareness Month! | |
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This month we celebrate National Mental Health Awareness Month, so it is appropriate that we consider the impact of our words as we work to reduce the stigma around mental health issues. Words matter, as our choice of words guides others down positive or negative pathways in how they respond and think about a given issue. Moments matter, because on any given day we have hundreds of opportunities to choose words that create awareness and educate others to be mindful of better possibilities.
Mental Health Action Day is May 16, providing an opportunity to take the next step from awareness to action for yourself, a loved one, or your community. This could be as simple as adopting a positive “mental health habit” like eating a balanced diet, getting a good night’s rest, or exercising, or offering support to a friend or family member who is struggling. Here are some additional strategies to consider:
- Practice gratitude: Think about what you’re thankful for – like supportive family and friends, a safe home, or even a beautiful day. Consciously practicing gratitude may reduce feelings of stress and anxiety.
- Volunteer: Participating in community organizations and finding opportunities to help others can provide a positive boost and sense of purpose.
- Engage in random acts of kindness: Buy a cup of coffee for the person in line behind you, hold the door open for a stranger, or make food for a neighbor or colleague.
- Practice mindfulness: Take a few minutes to meditate, take a yoga class or do some breathing exercises to promote relaxation and reduce stress.
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Seek Help: Whether it is for yourself of someone else, seek help through resources like SAMHSA.
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We are incredibly fortunate to have the support of our wonderful business community! Thank you to our amazing Business Partners!
If you would like to learn more about becoming a TIS Business Partner, contact Laura at lauraricheson@talbotinterfaithshelter.org or 443-786-6962.
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Raise the Roof Level Partners | |
Home Builder Level Partners | |
Foundation Level Partners | |
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Eastern Shore Title Company
Blue Heron Coffee
Wawa
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Scossa Restaurant
Blue Heron Catering
Shoreline Pest Solutions
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