MOUNT VERNON — The Winter Sanctuary Homeless Shelter Board of Trustees is pleased to announce the hiring of Tim Ellis as the agency’s new executive director, effective July 24, 2023. Ellis will fill the position after the resignation of the agency’s first executive director, Julie Miller.
Miller will work with Ellis to ensure a smooth transition, and she will also continue to serve as an ad hoc community member of the shelter’s Facilities Committee in order to continue her work toward a housing coalition in Knox County.
Ellis is the community pastor at the Centerburg Church of Christ, where he has served for five years. Ellis grew up in central Ohio and resides in Centerburg with his family. He has spent 20 years working for churches and nonprofits in Tennessee, Virginia, and Ohio.
In his role as executive director, Ellis will work directly with the Winter Sanctuary Board of Trustees and the shelter’s assistant director, Joe Springer, and administrative coordinator, Ann Marie Wiley, as well as other paid staff and volunteers of the shelter.
“I am honored and excited to have the opportunity to serve with the Winter Sanctuary team and those in our community who are experiencing homelessness. I look forward to collaborating with the many community partners and resources that our county is blessed to have as we continue in our capital campaign to build a permanent location for our shelter and advocacy,” Ellis said.
The Winter Sanctuary Board of Trustees has also had some changes in the board
membership with the leaving of Board President the Rev. Rachel Harrison and the naming of Dr. K.C. Montoya as the new board president.
The purpose of the Winter Sanctuary Emergency Homeless Shelter is to provide emergency, temporary housing for individuals from November through April each year. The Winter Sanctuary also provides support in the form of guidance, resources, education, and advocacy in order to enable our guests to succeed in finding permanent housing.
If you have questions or would like more information about the Winter
Sanctuary, or would like to speak to Ellis about the homeless issue in the community, call the shelter at 740-392-9277.