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T H E C O M M I T T E E O N T E M P O R A R Y S H E L T E R

VOL. 35, NO. 2 www.cotsonline.org FALL 2017

COTS thrives on connection – with guests, with supporters, with community partners, and, of course, with volunteers. These relationships are the foundation of who we are – and how we do our work. And, this is where we find hope, every day, in one kind act after another.

Some of COTS’ strongest connections are those enduring and long-lasting relationships, many of which are celebrating anniversaries this year:

Earlier this year was the 20th annual COTS Walk, and coming up this fall

COTS created by connectionEnduring relationships make services, support possible

and winter: the 10th annual Dee PT Diaper Drive, 10th annual Hearts to Soles, 10th annual Coolest Lunch, and 20th annual City Market Tree Sale.

Rita Markley celebrated 25 years at COTS executive director in September. And, on Dec. 24, COTS will mark 35 years, serving people facing the crisis of homelessness in our community.

COTS’ connections are deep and diverse – and we are grateful for all of them.

Alternative gift ideas for the holidays

SEND A KATHARINE MONTSTREAM HOLIDAY CARD: Make a minimum $10 donation to COTS in someone’s name, and we’ll send the recipient a beautiful Katharine Montstream card with this message: “A generous donation has been made to COTS in your name. This gift of warmth and shelter will help families and individuals who are experiencing the crisis of homelessness make it through the harsh winter months. Happy holidays and best wishes for the new year.” Contact Gillian to order at (802) 864-7402, Ext. 210 or gilliant@cotsonline.org.

SHARE COOKIES FOR GOOD: Sugarsnap’s delicious “Cookies for Good” are a “bake sale every day” for COTS: 35 cents from each $1 cookie sold goes to COTS. Serve the cookies at your holiday party, business lunch, or send to a friend, co-worker or customer. To order, visit www.thesnapvt.com, call (802) 861-2951, or email catering@thesnapvt.com.

AO GLASS COTS ORNAMENTS: AO Glass has generously created a glass ornament/ sun catcher with COTS’ logo on it. These are available for $20 each at our main office: 95 North Avenue, Burlington (9 am–5 pm, Monday-Friday).

For more gift ideas, visit cotsonline.org.

COTS CELEBRATES 95 NORTH AVENUE COTS and our partner Housing Vermont hosted an official “ribbon-cutting” ceremony for 95 North Avenue on April 3, 2017. We were

joined by Congressman Peter Welch, Gov. Phil Scott, and Mayor Miro Weinberger to mark the grand re-opening of our program and housing facility following extensive renovations.COTS and Housing Vermont partnered on the capital project to rebuild a permanent home for the COTS Daystation (See story, Page 3); create 14 permanently affordable apartments; and renovate COTS’ program spaces for the Housing Resource Center, our homelessness

prevention initiative, making them fully accessible and energy efficient. The project was made possible through generous support from public and private funders.

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COMMITTEE ON TEMPORARY SHELTER

PO Box 1616 Burlington, VT 05402

802-864-7402fax 802-864-2612

www.cotsonline.org

Established 1982

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Jeff Nolan, Chair

Tom Torti, Vice ChairDebra Royce, Treasurer

Paul Lekstutis, SecretaryBeth Anderson

Sean CollinsCatherine Dingle

Laurie GunnAndrew Hanson

Michael H. LipsonJeff Martin

Shelley RichardsonBrigitte Ritchie

Bob Steis

Rita Markley, Executive Director

HomeFront is published twice a year, in March and November, by:

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Editor Becky Holt

Writers Sian Leach

Gillian Taylor

Designer Lisa Cadieux, Liquid Studio

FOLLOW US ONLINE

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@COTSvt

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A United Way Funded Agency

COTS opened our fully renovated program and housing facility in April. Among the biggest upgrades to the building was the addition of the new permanent home for the Daystation, our daytime center for homeless adults.

“The new space has helped create more positive energy, even on the gloomiest days,” said COTS Peer Outreach worker Ciara Kilburn.

The Daystation had moved to multiple temporary locations following a storm in July 2013 that flooded the program’s previous permanent home. The renovation was made possible through a mix of public and private funding and in collaboration with our community partner Housing Vermont.

The new Daystation features many improvements, including an open and bright layout with large windows and natural sunlight, as well as smaller conference room for programming. There is outdoor patio and garden space, spacious kitchen, bathrooms, seating area, dining area, and showers and laundry. Two bunk rooms are also available for guests who work overnight or are not feeling well.

Guests, staff, and volunteers welcome all the new changes, especially the showers and laundry. These were added to the Daystation in direct response to guest feedback received during the project’s planning phase. Guests have shared they now feel more confident, wearing clean clothes following a warm shower as they head to apartment showings and job interviews. They also are quite pleased the laundry is a free, like all other resources provided by the Daystation.

The changes have helped prompt greater engagement by guests, too. The Daystation frequently has multiple programs and activities happening simultaneously: Guests might be reading in one area, while others are playing cards or folding their laundry nearby. You also are likely to find guests using the Daystation’s three computers for filling out job applications or searching for housing.

The Daystation, which originally opened more than 20 years ago, is a low-threshold program, focused on providing a safe and warm daytime space, connecting guests to housing, services, and community resources, as well as serving a healthy meal to about 50 people daily. Lunch is made possible through the generous help of volunteers – from the Lang House, to the Catholic Diocese of Burlington, to Sherpa Foods, to the team from Old Navy, to many, many others.

Among these volunteers is the community organization Love & Blessings, which has been a huge part of the Daystation’s volunteer community this past year. They provide lunch every other week. Over time, they have gotten to know guests and have started celebrating their birthdays with them during their visits. (If you are interested in volunteering for lunch, visit www.cotsonline.org or email Sian Leach at sianl@cotsonline.org.)

95 North Avenue is now open!DAYSTATION WELCOMES GUESTS TO NEW SPACE

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RELATIONSHIPS...continued from page 1

Joyce Hagan retired from the COTS Board last year, after being the longest-serving board member at 26 years. She said she was prompted to get involved because of her belief that “we all need to find ways to support our community in ways that ‘call’ to us. For me, it was COTS mission.” Joyce said she most connected with that on her visits to COTS’ shelters.

Hearts to Soles is organized by Jim Michelson, MD, an orthopedic surgeon at the University of Vermont Medical Center, each year. At the event, on the day before Thanksgiving each year, Jim and his colleagues perform foot exams on guests, a critical way to detect greater health issues. The guests are then given socks and fitted with new shoes donated by a national organization. “Although we help people every day in the course of our work at UVMMC, what we do at COTS is the purest expression of our aspirations to care for our fellow human beings,” Jim said.

COTS also collaborates with the Vermont Community Garden Network. The VCGN is committed to growing healthy and connected communities. They work with several COTS sites, including our Canal Street Veterans Housing, to increase garden space and to grow and eat fresh, healthy, food with confidence. VCGN Executive Director Jess Hyman said: “COTS looks beyond the basics of shelter and recognizes that healthy communities are built on a foundation of care, trust, and equity.”

For the past several Valentine’s Days, COTS has proudly partnered with the Green Mountain Chorus to deliver heartfelt messages to community. Part of their charter is to be involved with activities that benefit children, seniors, and other community needs. The chorus, in addition to frequently performing at the COTS Walk, shares a portion of their “Singing Valentine’s” fundraisers with us. The barbershop quartets sing for guests and staff, too. “We love the staff at COTS, and feel the work they do is making a difference,” said chorus member Neil Schell.

Jason Fitzgerald is a dynamo. The dedicated physical therapist started the Great Dee PT Diaper Drive 10 years ago. Thanks to Jason and Dee PT, more than 350,000 diapers have been collected and donated to COTS to help families in need in our community. “A few years back, we were dropping our year’s donations off at one of the shelters, and there was this young girl,

maybe 2 years old who was living at the shelter,” Jason said. “Every time I walked past her with a few more boxes of diapers, she would smile and say, ‘Yay, more diapers!’ This young girl was my a-ha moment when I realized just how something so simple can be so very important.”

Sarah Smith Conroy got involved with the COTS Walk at the very beginning. She also reads with children at the Firehouse Family Shelter. For the past several years, Sarah has brought her freshman history students from Rice Memorial High School to the Walk. Each year, they are by the far the biggest team in numbers and dollars raised. COT is real and provides real assistance without judgment, “ she said.

Retired attorney Michael Lipson first connected with COTS through community friends he met as he did advocacy and legal services work for low-income families. Michael also has served on the COTS board, both in our early days and again now. “This is not an honorary board,” he said. “There’s work to be done, and we do it, gladly and energetically.”

Lauren Lautenschlager is an account manager at Staples. She has helped COTS the past few years with our #172vt Back to School Backpack drive that delivers backpacks stuffed with supplies to children in need in our community. “When I see how willingly the back-to-school shoppers at Staples donate items and want to give to COTS to help the kids who are just like their kids, it makes me feel part of something bigger and special,” she said. “Everyone that participates feels that connection and wants to do their part.”

Above: Hearts to Soles with Jim Michelson, MD, delivers care and caring. Right: The Great Dee PT Diaper Drive is under way now. Far right: The 10th Annual Coolest Lunch is December 13.

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Leahy Leadership AwardGov. Phil Scott is being recognized for his work proposing, advocating, and supporting the $35 million housing bond included in this year’s state budget.

This initiative will result in 550-650 new units of housing over the next two three years, creating rental opportunities and homeownership opportunities for low- and middle-income Vermonters. The bond addresses the significant need for affordable housing in Vermont, and will help alleviate homelessness and create workforce housing.

COTS Annual Meeting & Volunteer Appreciation BreakfastTHANK YOU TO THE HONOREES FOR THEIR INCREDIBLE CONTRIBUTIONS TO OUR COMMUNITY

This effort will ratchet up the production of new housing to serve households at a wide range of incomes, spur economic growth, create jobs, and have a significant impact on Vermont’s supply of housing,” Gov. Scott said in a Vermont Housing Conservation Board media after signing it into law.

Community Partner AwardThe Church Street Marketplace is a community champion in a multitude of ways. They were key partners when COTS launched the #172vt campaign to raise awareness about homeless schoolchildren in 2015. They support COTS through Champ and Champette, the coin collecting lake monsters that have raised thousands of dollars for COTS services. Their efforts help make the Candlelight Vigil, the Coolest Lunch, and the Days of Giving possible. They provide guidance, insight, and perspective to our leadership team. More than that, they are there – every day – for the people facing homelessness.

Corporate HeroWestport Hospitality’s Hotel Vermont has supported COTS by sharing their talented staff, beautiful space, and creative generosity with us. Tori Carton created posters for the Phonathon, The Coolest Lunch, and the COTS Walk. They hosted the Coolest Lunch and the COTS Walk kickoff. Juniper created a flatbread fundraiser to support veterans (which they are doing again this November). And, for the past two years, they have provided stuffed backpacks for our back-to-school campaign.

Wilma Rayta Volunteer of the Year AwardHannah Woodruff began volunteering with COTS as a seventh-grader. That was 2006, and Hannah was just 12 years old, over the years her connection to – and longstanding relationship – with COTS continued into her college years at UVM and medical school.

Hannah has volunteered to do a little bit of everything to support COTS COTS, including being a regular at the COTS Walk. Most recently, you would have seen her reading and engaging in fun activities with children in our family shelter, where COTS staff, not surprisingly, said she was a “joy” to have around.

Youth Hero AwardCharlotte Central School prides itself on creating a positive learning environment. This past year, they implemented a school-wide “Be the Change” program, building upon that call-to-action. “Be the Change” was about recognizing that students’ positive behavior not only affects us as individuals, but has a positive impact on the school and the greater community. Throughout the 2016-17 school year, a student’s positive action was acknowledged by a penny. This past June, all those positive pennies were donated to COTS at a year-end assembly.

Samara-Anderson Walk AwardTwenty years ago, a kind and generous anonymous donor asked community members to take the “challenge” and raise at least $1,000 for the COTS Walk to help end homelessness in Vermont. If a walker reached this goal, their donations would be matched. Thanks to this incredible donor, many walkers have taken that challenge – and four walkers have taken it every single year: 20 Challenges completed, and often exceeded. These Walkers are some of COTS’ greatest champions. All are former Board members; all are committed volunteers; and all remain engaged with COTS to this day. We salute Bob Duncan, Joyce Hagan, Michael Lipson, and Lucy Samara, and we share with them our sincerest gratitude.

Church Street Marketplace Executive Director Ron Redmond with COTS Executive Director Rita Markley at The Coolest Lunch on the Marketplace. The Marketplace was honored with COTS’ Community Partner Award this year.

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Nearly 2,000 walkers, volunteers, and supporters brought sunshine to a rainy 28th Annual COTS Walk in May. The 3-mile trek May 7 around Burlington raised $200,000 for COTS programs.

This year, as COTS itself underwent a metamorphosis with the opening of our renovated and expanded 95 North Avenue housing and program facility, we celebrated the occasion – and the work we do every day to end homelessness – with origami butterflies at this year’s COTS Walk.

Route Sponsors Duncan•Wisniewski The Alchemist Brewery Wright & Morrissey

T-Shirt Sponsors The Dixie Six Gardener’s Supply Co. Hotel Vermont In the Pocket Jazz Band Krebs & Lansing Consulting Engineerings, Inc. Merchants Bank Nikon Precision NorthCountry Federal Credit Union Northeast Delta Dental Northwestern Board of Realtors Queen City Printers, Inc. Redstone Starbucks Vermont Gas

Generous in-kind supporters Costco; Crystal Rock; Dance Works Academy; Dok Wright Photography; Dunkin Donuts; Enterprise Rent-A-Car; Hannaford Brothers Co.; P&P Septic; PP&D Distribution Service; Saint Michael’s College; Staples; Starbucks; Stephen Mease Photography; Sugarsnap; Symquest Group, Inc.; University of Vermont; Verizon Wireless; Vermont Lake Monsters; Vermont Sound & Light; Vermont Teddy Bear Factory; WB Mason.

CHALLENGE WALKERSIndividuals: Sally Ballin; Scot Barker; Kim Blake; Jenna Burkhardt; Mary Candon; Brenda Cheeseman; Denise Danyow; Bob Duncan; Nancy Eldred; Joseph Frank; Maree Gaetani; Joyce Hagan; Judy Hamel;

Sydney Holt Barker; Mariah Kelley; Stephen Kiernan; Dale LaCroix; Michael Lipson; Nan Mason; Brigitte Ritchie; Lucy Samara; Stacey Sheehan; Jeannie Slauson; Nicole & Mike Stefanowicz; Gillian Taylor; Ann Warrington.

Business: Affiliates in Ob/Gyn Care, Inc.; Champlain Investment Partners; Community Bank, N.A.; Gardener’s Supply Co.; Gravel & Shea; Hickok & Boardman; KeyBank; Logic Supply; MyWebGrocer; Primmer Piper Eggleston & Cramer; Saint Michael’s College; Sen. Patrick Leahy’s Office; The Alchemist Brewery; TruexCullins; UVM Medical Center; VEIC; Verilux.

Community: BJMZ

Faith: Essex Catholic Community (St. Pius X and Saint Lawrence and Holy Family Catholic Church); First Congregational Church of Burlington; Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington; St. Catherine of Siena; St. Thomas Parish; Team Mercy.

School: Burlington High School; Champlain Valley Union High School; Rice Memorial High School; Rock Point School; The Schoolhouse; University of Vermont: Club AFECT; University of Vermont: Foundations of Social Work Class, Department of Social Work.

Our Walk T-shirt featured the work of Burlington cartoonist Rachel Lindsay, and the poster was designed by Tori Carton of Hotel Vermont. Many thanks to our community volunteers, team captains, donors, and walkers!

The Walk would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors:

Presenter National Life Group

Community Sponsors City Market Dealer.com Pomerleau Real Estate

Media Sponsors Star 92.9 Free Press Media WCAX-TV Planet 96.7

Site Sponsors Ben & Jerry’s Homemade Inc. BlueCross BlueShield of Vermont Casella Waste Management Darn Tough Vermont Denny’s Dinse, Knapp & McAndrew, P.C. Opportunities Credit Union Stephen & Burns Timberlane Dental Group University of Vermont Medical Center VEIC Vermont Systems Vermont Tent Company

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We are grateful to our community – it takes all of us…Thanks to the generous partnership of KeyBank, Staples, Gardener’s Supply Co., Westport Hospitality, Rhino Foods, Homebridge Financial Services, and Vermont Lake Monsters our #172vt Back to School Drive was a huge success. We kicked off the drive at a Vermont Lake Monsters game, and were able to fill more than 250 backpacks and give them to children in COTS shelter and services, as well as share them with children helped by our community partners: Burlington Boys & Girls Club, King Street Center, Steps to End Domestic Violence, families staying at Champlain Housing Trust’s Harbor Place, Spectrum Youth & Family Services, and Sara Holbrook Community Center.

Gardener’s Supply Co. helped beautify COTS shelters and housing facilities this summer. They donated seeds, plants, compost, and potting soil to family shelters. Their generosity and thoughtfulness means so much to us and really goes far in brightening the spaces where we serve our clients. Vermont Community Garden Network donated seeds and soil for gardens at the Daystation and St. John’s Hall.

Thanks so much to HANDS, Saint Michael’s College, master gardener Charles Nardozzi, Veterans Affairs, and the Vermont Community Garden Network for donations of items and time to help with the Canal Street Veterans Housing garden that created a bountiful of fresh vegetables for residents.

Thanks to Vermont Special Olympics, Citizens Bank, Vermont Reads, New England Federal Credit Union for donating items for Family Shelter Summer Bags. These bags included beach towels, water bottles, waist pouches, lip balm, hand sanitizer, and sunglasses, so kids were ready for summer fun!

Apex Carpet Cleaning provided upholstery cleaning for the couches at Canal Street Veterans Housing.

Liz Dyer and local homeschoolers hosted their 18th Annual Homeschooler Bake Sale for COTS at the Fletcher Free Library. The bake sale brought in nearly $400, and they donated all the remaining baked goodies to the COTS Daystation.

Burlington Furniture Co. hosted their annual Anniversary Sale to benefit COTS in September.

Mirabelle’s Café continues to donate a cake each month to children who are having their birthday in shelter.  

The Schoolhouse in South Burlington once again included mothers staying in COTS’ family shelters as part of their Mother’s Day brunch bag fundraiser. The Schoolhouse delivered donated brunch bags to moms who are in COTS emergency shelter.

Osh Kosh B’Gosh donates an ongoing and steady supply of children’s denim and school clothing.  

Timberlane Dental Group has donated a monthly supply of exam gloves for staff to use in shelter, as well as 3 boxes of dental hygiene products.

Chasworth Farms donates 2 boxes of soap each month for our guests.

Fletcher Free Library, Deborah Rawson Memorial Library, Barnes & Noble Booksellers, and Flying Pig Bookstore all donated books for guests in shelter and our waiting room area.

Sherpa Foods generously donated a portion of their profits from the Burlington Farmers’ Market each week this summer, and also has provided meals for the COTS Daystation.

COSTCO makes monthly gift card donation to support the Daystation meal program.

As part of the Discover Jazz Fest, New England Federal Credit Union organized a performance at the COTS Daystation and donated sunglasses and flashlights to guests.

KeyBank and HomeBridge helped with supplies and stuffing backpacks for students.

New England Federal Credit Union brought live music to the Daystation during the Discover Jazz Festival.

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Girl Scout Troop 30948 donated Girl Scout cookies for guests in our programs, and Girl Scout Troop 30380 used money earned from cookie sales to purchase new pajamas for children in COTS family shelters.

As part of a series of “Random Acts of Kindness,” The Arbors at Shelburne dropped off toiletries for our guests.

After being inspired by the annual diaper drive organized by Dee PT, Lorie Sulva organized a feminine hygiene product drive.

DONATION DRIVES AND WISH LISTUVM Medical Center, Mater Christi School, Champlain Valley Swim League BCC, Chamberlin Elementary Girls on the Run, Seventh Generation, Doubletree Hotel, 802 Crossfit, Champlain College PsiChi, South Burlington High School, The Rotary Club of South Burlington, United Church of Lincoln, Vermont Tech Nursing Students, Vermont CHIP, Bellows Free Academy Fairfax, Dewey House for Community Engagement at UVM, New England Women of the ELCA, Cub Scout Pack #539, Cathedral Church of St. Paul, United Church of Underhill, Second Congregational

Church, Champlain Valley Quilt Guild, Johnson Hardware and Rental, Pride Center of Vermont, Our Lady of Grace Church, Safelite, Fast Enterprise, and Big Lots all donated items from our wish list or organized drives to collect donations.

Green Mountain Transit hosted a donation drive, and donated one 10-ride bus pass for every bus pass purchased on a specific date.

Eagle Country 97.5 and Jazzercise Colchester hosted donation drives for Canal Street Veterans Housing.

DAYSTATION LUNCHEngineers without Border, Mister Z’s Pizza, All Souls Interfaith, Healthy Living Market, Old Navy, Lang House, CVU High School, Keurig Green Mountain, First Congregational Church of Burlington, College Street Congregational Church, Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington, Charlotte Congregational Church Summer Bible School, Richmond Congregational Church, Aon Insurance, UVM Student Accessibility Services, Dinner for Friends, Sherpa Foods, Champlain College, and Love and Blessings have all provided meals for the COTS Daystation.

At left, Essex Middle School students hosted an empty bowl dinner for COTS this spring.

Rita’s 25th AnniversaryCOTS Board and staff surprised Rita Markley in September at a donor appreciation event, where we recognized Rita’s 25 years of services to the community as the executive director of COTS. In celebration of her 25 years of leadership, the COTS Board established the COTS Legacy Society in Rita’s honor. Our goal is to secure the first 25 members of the Legacy Society by the end of the year. Legacy Society members are donors who have included COTS in their planned giving decisions. If you would like more information about the Legacy Society or how to participate, email Becky Holt at beckyh@cotsonline.org.

At right, Edmunds Middle School helped collect and assemble summer activity bags for childern in the shelter.

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4 Seasons Garden Center104.3 KISS-FM802 CrossfitA Single Pebble RestaurantA. D. Lawton SchoolAdvanced Vision CareAkeda FoundationThe Alchemist BreweryAll Saints Episcopal ChurchAll Souls Interfaith GatheringThe Allen Agency Real Estate, Inc.AllscriptsAmazonSmileAmerican FlatbreadAmerican Legion AuxiliaryAmerican Legion Post 91America’s Gardening Resource, Inc.Ameriprise Financial, Inc.Ammella, LLCAmurtelAmy E. Tarrant FoundationAon InsuranceApex Carpet CleaningThe Arbors at ShelburneAT&TAugust First BakeryAXA FoundationThe Bagel Café & DeliThe Bagel PlaceBanana RepublicBarnes & NobleBellows Free Academy FairfaxBen & Jerry’s FoundationBen & Jerry’s Ice CreamBenevity Community Impact FundBenware Enterprises, Inc. (Denny’s)Bia DiagnosticsBig Barn Home CenterBig LotsBlue Star MothersBluebird BarbecueBlueCross BlueShield of VermontBooska MoversBorsavage Hospitality, LLC (Lang House)Boucher & Pritchard Funeral DirectorsBourne’s EnergyBoy Scout Troop 602 - ShelburneBrian’s North End AutomotiveBrio CoffeeworksBrowns River Middle School

Bugatti BarbersBuilding EnergyBurlington Choral SocietyBurlington Electric DepartmentBurlington FurnitureBurlington Health & Rehabilitation CenterBurlington Police DepartmentBurlington School DistrictBurlington TelecomBusiness Communication Services, Inc.Butternut Mountain FarmCabot VermontCady’s Falls NurseryCalvary Episcopal ChurchCarter Insurance Agency, LLCCarter’sCasella Waste Systems, Inc.Catamount NorthCathedral Church of St. PaulCedar Ledge Builders, Inc.Chamberlin Elementary SchoolChamplain CableChamplain College: Education and Human Studies Department Psychology Honors SocietyChamplain Consulting EngineersChamplain Echoes, Inc.Champlain Investment PartnersChamplain Valley Quilt GuildChamplain Valley Small Animal Mobile ClinicChamplain Valley Swim League BCCChamplain Valley Union High SchoolChamplain WoodcraftChappell’s FloristCharles SchwabCharles Schwab Corporation FoundationCharlotte Central SchoolCharlotte Congregational ChurchChasworth FarmsCheeseman Floor CoveringsCheeseman Insurance, Inc.Chef’s Corner Cafe BakeryChittenden County Bar AssociationChrist the King SchoolChurch Street MarketplaceCity Market Onion River Co-opCity of Burlington Housing Trust FundCity of South BurlingtonCity of WinooskiClassy, Inc.

Clearwater Builders, Inc.Colchester-Milton Rotary ClubCollege Street Congregational UCCCommon DeerCommunity Bank, N.A.Community College of VermontCommunity Council of Greater BurlingtonConcepts: In Structures, LLCCongregational Church of South HeroCo-Operative Insurance CompaniesCosmos Hair Salon, LLCCostco Wholesale #314Courtyard Burlington Harbor HotelCox AutomotiveCrystal Rock & Vermont Pure Bottled Water CompaniesCub Scout Pack 43Cub Scout Pack 539Cummings Electric, P.C.CVSCx Associates, LLCCyberGrantsCynthea’s SpaDanforth PewterDarn Tough VermontDaughters of Charity of the Sacred Heart of JesusDaughters of Isabella, Madonna CircleDealer.comDear LucyDeborah Rawson Memorial LibraryDee Physical TherapyDGH Enterprises, LLCDiemer Properties, LLCDinner with FriendsDinse, Knapp & McAndrew, P.C.Diva International, Inc.The Dixie SixDok Wright PhotographyDoubletree HotelDoughnut DilemmaDragonheart VermontDuncan * Wisniewski ArchitectureDunkin’ DonutsEagle Country 97.5Ecco Clothes for WomenECHO at the Leahy CenterThe EdgeEdmunds Middle SchoolEl CortijoElectrical Systems, Inc.Elements of DesignEmployees’ Community Action Council of General DynamicsEngineers Without Borders VTEnterprise Rent-A-CarEnviro Tech of VT Septic Services, LLCEssex Center United Methodist Church WomenEssex High SchoolEssex Junction Senior Center

Thank you!These generous businesses and organizations provided in-kind and financial support during COTS’ fiscal year (Oct. 1, 2016-Sept. 30, 2017). In addition to the names here, hundreds of individuals and foundations have made financial and/or in-kind gifts in support of COTS programs and services this year. The foundations listed have requested inclusion in our newsletter.

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Essex Middle SchoolEssex PediatricsExpressionsF.O.E. Champlain Aerie #793F.O.E. Green Mountain Rural Aerie #3210Fairway Independent Mortgage Corp.Fanny Allen Corporation, Inc.The Farmhouse Tap & GrillFarrell Distributing Corp.Farrell Real Estate Co.Fast EnterpriseFead Construction Law, PLCFeldman’s BagelsFireProTecFirst Congregational Church of BurlingtonFirst Congregational Church of Essex JunctionFirst Night, Inc.First Unitarian Universalist SocietyFitzgerald Veterinary HospitalFletcher Free LibraryFlying Pig BookstoreFounders Memorial SchoolFour Seasons Sotheby’s International RealtyFrank Carruth, Inc.FreePressMediaFurchgott & Sourdiffe GalleryFuse MarketingFuture Planning Associates, Inc.G W Tatro Construction, Inc.Gadue’s Dry Cleaning, Inc.Gap Foundation Gift Match ProgramGardener’s SupplyGardner Kilcoyne ArchitectsGay & Lesbian Fund of Vermont, Inc.GE FoundationGE United Way CampaignGeer Sound & Communications, Inc.General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical SystemsGirl Scout Troop 13940Girl Scout Troop 30108Girl Scout Troop 30380Girl Scout Troop 30777Girl Scout Troop 30846Girl Scout Troop 30948Girls on the Run – Chamberlin Elementary SchoolGoldman, Sachs & Co. Matching Gift ProgramGordon’s Window DecorGotta Have Sole Foundation, Inc.Grace United Methodist ChurchGrand Way Seniors Association, Inc.The Grass Gauchos, LLCGreat Harvest Bread Co.Greek Orthodox PhiloptochosThe Green LifeGreen Mountain CabaretGreen Mountain ChorusGreen Mountain Montessori SchoolGreen Mountain Power Corp.

Green Mountain TransitHammerworks Construction, Inc.Hanes Brand OutletHannaford Brothers Co.Hannaford SupermarketsHardy Structural EngineeringHealthy Living Natural Foods MarketHeavenly Cents Thrift ShopHeilmann, Ekman, Cooley & Gagnon, Inc.Hilton BurlingtonHomeschoolers of Chittenden CountyHotel VermontHousehold of FaithHousing VermontIBM Retiree Charitable CampaignIBM-ComputershareIn the Pocket Jazz BandIndependent Block, LLCIndigoIntegrated Arts AcademyIntervale CenterItalian American Heritage, Inc.Item, LLCJ. A. Morrissey, Inc.JaniTechJeff Corey Excavating, Inc.Jericho Town LibraryJericho United Methodist ChurchJess Pom, LLCJohnson Hardware & RentalKelsey TrustKen’s Auto RepairKeurig Green MountainKeyBankKeyBank FoundationKeyBank National AssociationKing’s Corner DeliKintner Chiropractic Center, P.C.Kiss the CookKountry Kart DeliKrebs & Lansing Consulting Engineers, Inc.La Villa BistroLafayette Highway SpecialtiesLake Champlain ChocolatesLakeview Union ElementaryLarkin RealtyLaw Offices of Blodgett, Watts & Volk, P.C.Learning HouseLenny’s Shoe & ApparelLeonardo’s PizzaLeunig’s BistroLippa’s JewelersLiving Well ChiropracticLogic Supply, Inc.Love and BlessingsLyman C. Hunt Middle SchoolMacy’sMain Street LandingMaine Credit Union League

Management Accounting Services, LLCMater Christi SchoolMAXIMUS FoundationMcKee Enterprises Ltd.Meredith Corp.The Mervyn L. Brenner Foundation, Inc.Milton High SchoolMirabelles, Inc.Mister Z’s RestaurantMonelle VermontMontstream StudioMoose Lodge #1618Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLCMountain River SchoolMountain View Animal HospitalMurphy Sullivan KronkMyWebGrocerThe Nate Malley TeamNational Life Group Charitable Foundation, Inc.National Life Insurance Co.Native EnergyNeville CompaniesNew England Federal Credit UnionNew England Floor CoveringNew England Women of the ELCANew Moon CafeNFI, Shelburne HouseNikon Precision, Inc.North Star Lodge #12NorthCountry Federal Credit UnionNortheast Delta DentalNortheast Frame To Finish, Inc.Northern Lights Rock and IceNorthfield Savings BankNorthwestern Vermont Board of RealtorsO’Briens Salon & CLIP for MenOhavi Zedek SynagogueOil n GoOld NavyOpportunities Credit UnionThe Optical CenterOrchard SchoolOshKosh B’GoshOur Hearts to Your SolesOur House BistroOur Lady of Grace ChurchOur Lady of Mount Carmel ChurchP & P SepticPajama ProgramPanera Bread CafePaw Print & MailPC ConstructionPearson & AssociatesPenny Cluse CafePeople’s United BankPeople’s United Community FoundationThe Permanent Fund for Vermont’s ChildrenPfizer FoundationPinto MacAskill PLLC

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Pizzagalli Properties, LLCPJSC LLC, The Scuffer Steak & AlePomerleau Properties, Inc.PP&D Distribution ServicePrice Chopper’s Golub FoundationPride Center of VermontQueen City EntertainmentQueen City Printers, Inc.R & J Cameron & SonsRed House, Inc.Redstone Commercial GroupResearch on Women in EducationResource Systems Group, Inc.Revision MilitaryRhino FoodsRice Memorial High SchoolRichmond Congregational ChurchRivers Edge Building Development, LLCRock Point SchoolRoman Catholic Diocese of BurlingtonThe Rotary Club of South BurlingtonRoth Real EstateRovers NorthRushford Family ChiropracticSabra Field, Inc.SafeliteSaint Andrew’s Episcopal ChurchSaint John Vianney ChurchSaint Michael’s College Edmundite Campus Ministry MOVE OfficeSaint Thomas ParishSam’s Wood Furniture, Inc.Second Congregational Church Hyde Park VTSelection UnlimitedService CatalystThe Seth Warner-Rhoda Farrand Chapter of the Vermont DARSeventh GenerationSeventh Generation Foundation, Inc.Shelburne Charlotte Hinesburg Interfaith Projects (SCHIP)Shelburne FarmsShelburne MuseumShelburne United Methodist ChurchSherpa Foods, LLCSisters of MercySisters of ProvidenceSnowflake ChocolatesSodexo, Inc. & AffiliatesSouth Burlington High SchoolSouth Burlington Senior CitizensSpring Village at EssexStaplesStarbucksState of Vermont Buildings & General Services – Building Communities Grants ProgramStephen & Burns, Inc.Stephen Mease PhotographySterling Homes

Stitzel, Page & Fletcher, P.C.Stone Underground ConstructionStowe Community ChurchStowe GemsSubwaySugarsnapSweeney DesignBuild, LLCSweet Lady JaneThe Switchback Brewing Co.SymQuest Group, Inc.Systems & Software, Inc.TD BankTD Charitable FoundationTimberlane Dental GroupTop Dog Painting, LLCTown of BoltonTown of CharlotteTown of EssexTown of HinesburgTown of HuntingtonTown of JerichoTown of MiltonTown of RichmondTown of UnderhillTown of WillistonTrader Joe’sTradewinds Imports, Inc.Transitions Physical Therapy, LLCTRUiSTTurtle Fur Co.Tuttle PublishingTwincraftUncommon Grounds Coffee & TeaUnion Mutual of Vermont CompaniesUnique BoutiqueUnited Church of FairfaxUnited Church of HardwickUnited Church of HinesburgUnited Church of LincolnUnited Church of UnderhillUnited Technologies Matching Gift ProgramUnited Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack ValleyUnited Way of Northwest VermontUnited Way of the Greater TriangleUnited Way SuncoastUniversity MallUniversity of Vermont: Athletic Department Club AFECT Community Development & Applied Economics Delta Delta Delta Dewey House for Community Engagement Global Gateway Program Love Your Melon Club Student Health ServicesUniversity of Vermont Medical Center: Urgent Care Community Health Improvement

USANAVerizon WirelessVermont Agency FoundationVermont Business MagazineVermont Catholic CharitiesVermont Child Health Improvement ProgramVermont Children’s Trust FoundationVermont Community FoundationVermont Energy Investment Corp.Vermont Federal Credit UnionVermont FoodbankVermont Gas Systems, Inc.Vermont Housing Finance AgencyVermont Korean-American United Methodist WomenVermont Lake MonstersVermont Mutual Insurance Co.Vermont Sound and Light, LLCVermont State Employees Credit UnionVermont Student Assistance Corp.Vermont Systems, Inc.Vermont TechVermont Teddy Bear Co.Vermont Tent Co.Vermont Testing & Consulting Co.Vermont Timber Works, Inc.Vermont Veterans FundVFW Post 782VHB, Inc.Villari’s Self Defense & Wellness Center, LLCVintage Jewelersvon Trapp GreenhouseW.B. MasonW.G. Russell Supply, Corp.Wake RobinWCAX-TVWestport Hospitality, LLCWEZF 92.9 FMWhim BoutiqueWhitcomb Woods Tenants Association, Inc.White + Burke Real Estate Investment Advisors, Inc.Whites Christmas Tree FarmWillie Racine’s JeepWilliston Federated ChurchWillow HouseWinburn Law OfficesThe Windjammer RestaurantWindmill Children’s CenterWindows & Doors by Brownell, Inc.WOKO/WJOY RadioWolcott Duplexes, LLCWolcott Garage, Inc.Wright & Morrissey, Inc.YourCause, LLCZabby and Elf’s Stone SoupZinnia, Inc.Zonta Club of Burlington

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COTS helped 2,381 people (including 855 children) last year

COTS SHELTERSFamily Shelters: 48 families (including 87 children) stayed in a COTS family shelter. We can host 15 families each night.

Adult Overnight Shelter: 213 individuals stayed in COTS’ year-round emergency shelter, which provides 36 emergency beds each night. 240 individuals stayed in COTS’ additional winter warming shelter.

Adult Daytime Drop-In Shelter: 457 individuals visited the Daystation, a daytime center for homeless adults, where a noontime meal is served daily with the help of volunteers. An average of 43 people visited daily.

COTS SERVICESCOTS Family Services: 125 families, including those staying in emergency shelter or the community, received support from COTS staff.

COTS Adult Services: 110 single, homeless adults received outreach and support from COTS staff.

PREVENTION SUPPORTPrevention Assistance: 284 households (including 285 children) received prevention assistance through the COTS’ Housing Resource Center (HRC).

Rehousing Assistance: 108 households (including 82 children) received rehousing help through COTS’ HRC program.

COTS HOUSINGTransitional Housing: 23 units of housing for families and individuals are offered by COTS at the Smith House and Canal Street Veterans Housing.

Permanent Housing: 72 units of housing are offered by COTS at the Smith House, The Wilson, St. John’s Hall, 95 North Avenue (with Housing Vermont), Canal Street Veterans Housing (with Housing Vermont).

COTS services provided: 10/1/16–9/30/17

2017 by the numbersRevenues $3,324,248Individuals & Businesses $1,185,418

Federal Grants $351,590

Foundations $494,181

Rental Income $357,342

State Grants $429,532

Veterans Administration $237,872

United Way $114,363

Other $153,950

11%

11%

15%

13%

7%

5%

3%

2017 year in review

36%

Expenses $3,244,493Support Services $355,377

Development $392,414

Public Education $75,894

Family Shelters $769,165

Prevention Services $369,670

Adult Shelters $557,427

Housing Facilities $493,770

Administration $230,775

12%

2%

11%

24%

11%

17%

15%

7%

* These are pre-audited numbers.

www.cotsonline.org COTS HOMEFRONT FALL 2017

Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDPermit No. 896Burlington, VT

Committee on Temporary Shelter

PO Box 1616Burlington, VT 05402-1616802-864-7402 www.cotsonline.org

CITY MARKET TREE SALE Begins November 29, City Market, 82 S. Winooski Avenue, Burlington

City Market plans to once again generously sell fresh balsam trees to benefit COTS. Trees cost $35 with sales continuing until all trees are sold. “Elves” are needed to help with the benefit sale. Visit www.citymarket.coop/cots-tree-sale to volunteer.

Mark your calendarFind out more about these events – and how you can get involved – at our Web site: cotsonline.org.

PHONATHON November 27–30, December 4–5, 5:30-9 pm COTS office, 95 North Avenue, Burlington

At the annual Phonathon, volunteers “dial for dollars” to raise money for COTS shelters and services. These enthusiastic volunteers call COTS supporters to ask them to consider a gift again this year. If you are interested in joining us to volunteer, please call Sian at (802) 864-7402, Ext. 207 or email sianl@cotsonline.org.

THE COOLEST LUNCH Noon–2 pm, December 13, Burlington (at participating restaurants)

The Coolest Lunch in town raises awareness and money for COTS services. Dine outside ($25 donation) and help bring attention for the need to help our neighbors in need this winter. 100% of proceeds from this event go to services. Reservations encouraged; visit cotsonline.org.

CANDLELIGHT VIGIL 5:30 pm, December 21 Burlington City Hall steps, Church Street Marketplace

Each year, during the week of the Winter Solstice, we pause to reflect on those who are homeless in our community. Community leaders share brief vignettes about people who have were homeless this past year. Refreshments follow in City Hall’s lobby.