Talbot Interfaith Shelter (TIS)
Emergency Winter Shelter Program
Talbot County, Maryland
TIS Mission Statement
The Talbot Interfaith Shelter is a voluntary service ministry in Talbot County, Maryland dedicated to providing safe, temporary shelter to men, women, and children who lack adequate housing during the coldest winter months of January and February and to serving an evening meal, breakfast and bag lunch to each guest.
(The Talbot Interfaith Shelter draws upon successful components of other Maryland shelters, including Winter Haven in Laurel, Our Haven in Queen Anne’s County, The Samaritan Group in Kent County, and Winter Relief in Anne Arundel County.)
TIS Objective
The Talbot Interfaith Shelter (TIS) is a temporary evening and night shelter serving up to five homeless individuals from Talbot County and surrounding areas. During the months of January and February it is operated by volunteers from local faith-based communities and other concerned citizens. It is open daily from 6:00 PM to 7:00 AM, if sufficient numbers of volunteers and funds are available.
A voluntary Board of Directors oversees the operation of TIS and acts as a liaison with its affiliated organizations: Talbot County Department of Social Services, Talbot County Health Department, Neighborhood Service Center, Mid-Shore Mental Health Systems, Inc, YMCA, and local law enforcement agencies.
In 2009, the initial year of its operation, fire code restrictions limit the number of guests to five. The hope for subsequent years is to serve more homeless individuals for a longer period of time. Above all, the fundamental goal of the Talbot Interfaith Shelter is to provide a safe, warm, and nurturing atmosphere for men, women, and children who lack adequate housing, regardless of race, creed or religion.