Spy Focus – Talbot Interfaith Shelter’s Julie Lowe

Juile Lowe

Q – What is the Talbot Interfaith Shelter?

A – Talbot Interfaith Shelter (TIS) is an overnight, cold-weather, emergency shelter that rotates among local faith communities. Our mission is twofold: to provide safe, emergency shelter to people of any creed, race, gender, and nationality, and to raise awareness about homelessness in Talbot County.

Our only requirements are that potential shelter guests must pass a background check and remain drug and alcohol free. We feel that every human being has the right to safe shelter, and realize that a series of bad choices or circumstances beyond our control can put almost anyone at risk for viable housing.

We opened in 2009 with 12 partner congregations, and have grown to 19 congregations, and more than 500 volunteers. Congregations open up their church property to host the shelter for a week or two at a time. Congregation volunteers assist our two paid overnight supervisors and an operations manager. On average each year, we provide about 500 bed nights on a very modest budget for people who otherwise lack housing.

This year, for the first time, we had guests on the very first day we opened. In its first week this year, the shelter hit its five-guest capacity. We are limited to sheltering only up to five guests at a time because of fire code regulations. This limit is one of our biggest challenges. The 5 person limit also impacts our ability to shelter families with children. We are hoping to eventually find a permanent location which would allow us to shelter more people, and to shelter families with kids.

Q – How much of a problem is homelessness here in Talbot County?

A – For the most part, the homeless stay hidden and are hard to track and count, especially in our county. In December, we had 48 people call for shelter. At last count, which was last year, HUD’s Point In Time Survey stated there were 15 homeless adults living in Easton, but that doesn’t include those who don’t want to be found. We are aware of many more than that. A huge help to our service industry is HUD amending its definition of homelessness to include those who have no permanent address…who are moving from couch to couch and living on the compassion of friends or family.

And its not just adults – the latest state department of education data counted 68 homeless students in Talbot County Public Schools.

This year’s Point In Time Survey will take place on January 26^th. Under the direction of HUD, agencies that address homelessness nationwide will all do a count of persons who are homeless on one night, January 25th, 2012. We expect that this will help us to understand exactly how many people need help with housing here in Talbot County.

Q – So, what is in the future for TIS?

A – We hope to find a suitable standalone space where we could house more than five people at a time, and provide a warm place during the day. Our guests now have to leave at 7 am and they may return at 6 pm. We’re grateful to offer shelter at night, but hope in the next two years or so we can make our vision of a permanent location a reality.

Q – What does TIS need to secure a permanent location?

A – We need a space, and donations! As the need for shelter here in Talbot County increases, and it has, we need to expand to help fill that need. We receive very little government money—most of our funding comes from faith communities and individuals in the community; and some from local businesses. We have some exciting ideas for fundraising, and are working hard to get the community more aware of our shelter and where we’re going. We’re going to need the community’s support to make this happen.

Anyone who wants to donate time, treasures or items may contact me at 410-310-2136.

There is much more information on our website, and you can also friend us on Facebook!