On Thursday, September 15, the Maryland Court of Special Appeals (COSA) upheld the Talbot County Board of Zoning decision to grant a special exception permit for Talbot Interfaith Shelter (TIS) to operate a shelter at 107 Goldsborough Street (Easton’s Promise) in Easton. The original permit was awarded on July 29, 2014, and was appealed to Talbot County Circuit Court and subsequently upheld on April 16, 2015.
Undeterred, TIS opened its doors at Easton’s Promise on November 30, 2014. With overwhelming community support, the shelter has served over 100 individuals, including 16 families and 30 children, many of whom have made the transition back to independent living.
Following the COSA decision, TIS plans to move forward with the purchase of Easton’s Promise so that they can continue the work they have started.
“The court’s decision is a victory for compassion and a time for gratitude,” says TIS Executive Director Julie Lowe. “We are grateful to Michael J. Kopen of Kopen and Collison, LLP for ensuring that TIS would have the right to provide services to the homeless. We are thankful that we have been able to provide shelter and services to our guests while our permit was under appeal. Most of all, we are thankful for the generosity and compassion of our many donors and volunteers who make TIS possible.”
Board President Jack Harrald adds, “We hope that this decision will put an end to the legal proceedings, and that we will be able to move forward with our neighbors, and use our time, energy, and money to fight the growing problem of poverty and homelessness in our community, rather than to fight one another.”
If you would like to learn more about Talbot Interfaith Shelter and how you can help, visit their website at www.talbotinterfaithshelter.org, or call Executive Director Julie Lowe at 410-310-2316.
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