Mission & Program
Learn how, with the support of our generous community, we help provide dignity, safe shelter, and a path back to independence for our homeless neighbors.
OUR MISSION
Provide immediate shelter, compassionate support, and practical resources that empower individuals and families experiencing homelessness to achieve stable housing, self-sufficiency, and a brighter future.
Our Vision
Foster a community that ensures no one spends a night on the streets, in a car, or in the woods due to lack of housing, and where every person has the skills, opportunities, and support to fully reintegrate into society.
OUR Future
The Shelter Alliance currently provides emergency shelter, rapid rehousing, and case management and housing stabilization services.
Our goal is to establish Kent County’s first year-round shelter, offering wraparound services that promote healing, growth, and reintegration into the community.
Our Story
The Shelter Alliance Has Grown From Humble Beginnings.
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The Shelter Alliance was formed by Carol Niemand and Sheila Barry in August 2024 to address the needs of homeless individuals in Kent County.
We are currently providing emergency shelter in local motels and case management services which have helped move individuals and families from rapid re-housing toward long-term housing stability.
Our goal now is to establish a dedicated, year-round shelter to provide a welcoming and supportive environment including practical, person-centered solutions that lead to permanent housing.
We recognize that we cannot fulfill our mission without the support of our donors, volunteers, and our community partners. Please join us in this effort.
Homelessness In Kent county
Kent County continues to experience increasing housing instability while remaining one of only two mid-shore counties without a year-round shelter.
Youth Homelessness
Youth homelessness increased from 60 to 126 students - a 110% increase since 2022.
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Growing youth homelessness reflects broader family housing instability and increased strain on community resources.
Housing Insecurity
Kent County is experiencing levels of need that exceed what may be expected for a county of its size.
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Approximately 7.92% of Kent County students experienced homelessness or housing instability. Kent County ranks 2nd after Baltimore City in MD student housing instability.
Service Data Alignment
In FY 2025-26, we served:
101 unduplicated individuals through the Shelter Closet, and
53 individuals through our Emergency Shelter Program.
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Local service utilization closely mirrors school homelessness data, reinforcing that housing instability is being encountered in real time throughout the community.
This data clearly shows a growing need that requires a coordinated response to support families and youth toward stability. With your support, we can continue to help our neighbors regain independence and build a brighter tomorrow!
Our 3 Core Programs:
-Bridge To Stability-
Emergency Shelter Program
Provides immediate, short-term shelter and stabilization for individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
Participants are not required to meet preconditions for entry. The goal is to create immediate stability while beginning a pathway toward housing and self-sufficiency.
Services Include:
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Emergency motel-based shelter placement
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​Immediate safety and basic needs support
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Initial assessment and intake
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Development of a Life Plan within 72 hours
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Connection to community resources
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Transition planning toward long-term stability
Case Management & Housing Stabilization Services
Provides individualized support to help participants overcome barriers and move toward long-term stability.
Services Include:
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Individualized goal planning
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Life Plan development and monitoring
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Housing navigation
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Employment and workforce referrals
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Financial literacy and budgeting support
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Mental and physical health referrals
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Benefits navigation
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Community resource coordination
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Follow-up and ongoing support
Rapid Rehousing Program
Assists eligible individuals and families in quickly transitioning from homelessness into stable housing.
The program goal is to reduce the length of time individuals remain homeless and support long-term housing success.
Services Include:
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Housing identification
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Landlord engagement
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Housing application assistance
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Move-in coordination
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1st month's rent and/or security deposit
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Ongoing case
Our Client Journey
intake
Warm welcome and assessment of needs
Case Management
Ongoing support, resources, and goal progress
Emergency Shelter
Immediate safety, stabilization, and basic needs.
Rapid Rehousing
Move into stable housing
with support
Life Plan
Personalized plan developed within 72 hours
Long-term Stability
Continued support towards independence