2015: COTS Annual Report - Committee on Temporary Shelter

T H E
C O M M I T T E E
Alternative gifts
from COTS
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
the Committee on Temporary Shelter
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.” To order, call Gillian at (802)
864-7402, Ext. 207 or email gilliant@
cotsonline.org.
T E M P O R A R Y
S H E L T E R
www.cotsonline.or g
Vol. 33, No. 2
A gift in someone’s name
O N
FALL 2015
#172vt
End homelessness, one
child at a time
COTS launched our #172vt campaign to end
homelessness one child at a time in March.
The #172vt campaign is an effort to bring
attention to the urgent and growing needs of
homeless children. The number of homeless
children nationally has surged in recent years
to all-time record highs. Today, one in every 30
children in the United States is homeless.
Vermont has echoed these disturbing trends.
In the fall of 2014, there were 140 homeless
school-aged children, plus 32 children under
age 5. That made 172 homeless children in our
community in October 2014.
The campaign was made possible with a Small &
Inspiring grant from the Vermont Community
Foundation and support from KeyBank and the Church Street Marketplace.
The #172vt campaign’s kickoff event included 172 students from Rice
Memorial High School, and featured a display of four school buses in front of
Burlington City Hall. Each student from Rice symbolically represented a child
experiencing homelessness in our community, and the four buses showed how
many buses you would need to transport 172 homeless children.
continued page 2
Above, right: In May, Champlain Elementary School’s choir hosted a benefit concert for
For more Alternative Giving Ideas, see
Page 4.
Dee PT Great Diaper Drive 2015
This year’s goal:
40,000 diapers!
Since 2007, Jason Fitzgerald and Dee
Physical Therapy have led the Dee PT
Great Diaper Drive. This year’s goal:
40,000 diapers!
continued page 3
the #172vt campaign at The Spot in Burlington, raising more than $1,200. Below: At the
kickoff in March, 172 students from Rice Memorial High School demonstrated what 172
children looks like, as they stood on the Burlington City Hall steps.
172VT...continued from page 1
Our speakers included: Gov. Peter Shumlin, Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington
Bishop Christopher Coyne, Agency of Human Services Secretary Hal Cohen, King
Street Center Executive Director Vicky Smith, and Rice Student Council President
Griffin Cunningham. COTS Executive Director Rita Markley also addressed the crowd
of supporters.
Ten days after the event, Gov. Shumlin came to COTS and announced a statewide
initiative to end family homelessness by 2020.
HomeFront is published twice a year,
in March and November, by:
Committee on
Temporary Shelter
PO Box 1616
Burlington, VT 05402
802-864-7402
fax 802-864-2612
www.cotsonline.org
Established 1982
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Jeffrey Nolan, Chair
Tom Torti, Vice Chair
Debra Royce, Treasurer
Paul Lekstutis, Secretary
Beth Anderson
Sean Collins
Catherine Dingle
Laurie Gunn
George Hubbard
Michael H. Lipson
Jeff Martin
Shelley Richardson
Brigitte Ritchie
Bob Steis
The #172vt campaign continued via social media through the spring, summer and fall
and sparked a number of student-led efforts on behalf of homeless families. Students
stood up for their struggling peers through concerts, car washes, lemonade stands,
famers’ market sales, and collection drives.
In the late summer, the #172vt Back-to-School Drive provided school supplies to
children for the upcoming academic year. The drive was made possible through the
support of KeyBank, Kinney Drugs and Staples’ South Burlington Copy & Print. The
backpacks and additional supplies were distributed through COTS, the Burlington
Boys & Girls Club, the Sara Holbrook Center, the King Street Center, Spectrum Youth
& Family Services, and other community partners.
We are happy to report that a year later, following an increased awareness, more money
for prevention, and changes in housing policy the number has declined. The survey
of school district’s homeless liaisons revealed 133 children experiencing homelessness
in our community: 116 schoolchildren, plus 17 children under age 5. Our work
continues – even one homeless child is one too many. Thank you for your help!
Left: The awareness campaign continued
into the fall with the Back to School Drive,
where more than 172 backpacks and
additional supplies were collected and
distributed to children via COTS and our
community partners. Below left: Gov.
Peter Shumlin and Bishop Christopher
Coyne joined COTS for the kickoff. Below
Rita Markley, Executive Director
right: Ivah, age 6, worked tirelessly and
independently to sell lemonade on the
A United Way
Member Agency
Burlington Bike Path to raise awareness
and money for COTS.
Editor
Becky Holt
Writers
Daniel Frey, Lori Goldman,
Tamira Martel, Gillian Taylor
Designer
Lisa Cadieux, Liquid Studio
follow us online
www.cotsonline.org
www.facebook.com/COTSonline
@COTSvt
Pinterest.com/cotsvt
www.cotsonline.org Let all of your friends and followers know that you think 172 homeless children in our
community is unacceptable. Use the hashtag #172vt to join a community of people
fighting against childhood homelessness. Tweet a storm! Take to Instagram! Flood
Facebook! Do anything you can to get the word out about the #172vt campaign.
For more information on how to raise awareness about the growing number of homeless
youth, contact Lori Goldman at LoriG@cotsonline.org and follow the #172vt hashtag.
COTS HOMEFRONT
FALL 2015
More on the COTS blog
Diaper Drive...continued from page 1
Visit cotsonline.org to read more
Visit our blog to read more about these
great initiatives:
Main Street Makeover
The Main Street Family Shelter underwent major weatherization renovations
this summer. The project’s goals: to
make the shelter more livable for guests
and to lower COTS’ annual energy costs.
The partnership and generous support
of Champlain Valley Office of Economic
Opportunity’s (CVOEO), Champlain
Valley Weatherization, Commons Energy,
and Consumer Construction made this
project possible. What started with an
energy audit ended with bringing the
historic structure in line with the 2015
energy codes.
Main Street Family Garden
When AmeriCorps Macy Margolin
arrived at COTS family shelter, she
found they already had a small container
garden, made out of several storage
bins. Her goal: Build a 100-squarefoot, raised bed, garden in its place, to
supplement produce for COTS’ healthy
snack and meal program for youth. And,
that’s exactly what she did! Inspired by
a national reading program that rewards
children for reading throughout the
summer months, Macy also created
a “Summer Veggie Challenge” that
similarly incentivized children to eat
vegetables. Children received points
based on how nutritious a vegetable
was and how much of it they ate. They
also received bonus points for trying a
vegetable for the first time.
www.cotsonline.org Daystation Mandalas
Former AmeriCorps (now COTS staffer)
Sydney Kalas, following the suggestion
of a local art therapist, decided to
introduce mandalas – geometrically
intricate designs of Indian origin – to
guests of the Daystation. Guest-made
mandalas (intricate, artistic designs),
along with other artwork, now line
the walls of the Daystation and the
Waystation. “There are many goals at
the Daystation, and one of those goals
is to make this place more homey,”
Sydney said.
Sydney Kalas with guest-created artwork
The diapers they collect help families
in COTS services for an entire year.
Diapers for one child, for one month
cost about $60. For families struggling
to return or stabilize housing, this
donation makes it a little easier to
make ends meet, while also helping
them care for their child.
The drive continues through Dec.
22nd, with three Dee Physical Therapy
diaper drop-off sites:
• 23 San Remo Dr., South Burlington
• Field House, 166 Athletic Dr.,
Shelburne
• 52 Farmall Dr., Hinesburg
Diapers can be dropped off between
7 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday-Thursday,
and between 7 a.m. through 4 p.m.
Fridays. For questions, call (802)
865-0010, or email Jason at
jasonfitzgerald@deept.com.
Volunteers needed
for Phonathon
Partnership with UVM
Last school year, COTS partnered with
the Cabot Community Challenge course,
part of the University of Vermont’s
Community Development and Applied
Economics department. Led by lecturer
Kate Woodruff, in collaboration with
Roberta MacDonald of Cabot Creamery
Co-op, COTS worked with
dynamic students who
created original new
marketing tools
and helped raise
awareness about
homelessness on
campus.
The COTS annual Phonathon starts
Nov. 30. Volunteers call COTS
supporters to thank them for their past
donations and ask them to consider a
gift again this year.
If you would like to volunteer, as a
caller or in the mailroom, call Lori at
(802) 864-7402, Ext. 207, or email
her at lorig@cotsonline.org. We need
50 volunteers, 5:30-9 p.m. Nov.
30–Dec. 4 and Dec. 7–8; morning
hours available are Dec. 9. Thank you
for your help.
Sticker designed by
artist and UVM graduate Jackson Tupper)
COTS HOMEFRONT
FALL 2015
Volunteer Spotlight
National Service
Launch and Governor’s
Service Awards
KeyBank and Macy Margolin were
recognized at Governor’s Service Awards,
as part of the National Service Launch for
AmeriCorps and SeniorCorps, in October.
KeyBank and Brigitte Richie, Director of
Community Relations and Public Affairs,
were paramount in the success of our
#172vt campaign. KeyBank spearheaded
the #172vt Back to School Drive. After
generously donating 172 backpacks to be filled, KeyBank
had collection bins in their local branches. KeyBank staff
volunteered to help stuff the backpacks with supplies.
KeyBank also helps COTS by preparing lunches at our
Daystation, organizing Walk teams and sponsorship, and
supporting homelessness prevention through the Housing
Resource Center.
Above left: Brigitte Ritchie and Don Baker of KeyBank. Above right:
Macy Margolin with COTS staff Gillian Taylor (left) and Lori Goldman.
Macy Margolin served as an AmeriCorps last year in COTS
family shelters through the Vermont Youth Development
Corps. Her efforts focused on promoting health and wellness
among the children living in shelter. Among the many
positive contributions Macy made, her greatest is the new
garden she designed, planted, and cultivated that provided
fresh vegetables for families in our shelters.
United Way Building Block Award
COTS volunteer Peter Keny was honored with a Building
Blocks Award at the Live United breakfast in September.
Peter began volunteering two to three hours a week in COTS
family shelters. He manages to volunteer in his packed
schedule that includes attending classes, working the night
shift as a janitor, and helping run the Sudan Development
Foundation SUDEF.
Peter is flexible, committed, and
wonderful with kids. In particular,
his passion for facilitating “Active
Adventures” for the children living in
family shelter has been a gift to our
families. With his help, children living
in our family shelters have gone on
many explorations around Burlington,
from educational field trips to ECHO,
to swimming at the YMCA, to playing
soccer at town parks. Connecting
children in shelter with quality active
learning experiences like this gives them
the best chance to succeed later in life.
www.cotsonline.org COTS HOMEFRONT
Give the gift that keeps on giving
Alternative shopping ideas from COTS
Share Cookies for Good
Sugarsnap delicious “Cookies for Good” is 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. A
variety of flavors of the locally
sourced treats are available. To
order, visit www.cookiesforgood.org,
call (802) 861-2951 or email
catering@thesnapvt.com.
Carry a COTS Flashbag
The Flashbags feature doorknobs from the Main Street
Family Shelter. To order tote
bags (available in 2 sizes),
placemats or wallets, call
(802) 864-7402 or email
info@cotsonline.org. For
orders placed through COTS,
we receive 50 percent of each sale.
Music to your ears
“Harmonies for Humanity, Vol. 1:
Musicians raising money for COTS”
features Vermont musicians in a CD
created to benefit COTS. The $10
CDs are available at our main office,
95 North Ave., Burlington.
FALL 2015
Nearly 2,000 walkers, volunteers, and
supporters attended the 26th Annual
COTS Walk in May. The annual 3-mile
trek on May 3 around Burlington raised
nearly $200,000 for COTS programs.
The Walk would not be possible without
the generous support of our sponsors:
Presented by
Flat Fee Real Estate
Community Sponsors
Efficiency Vermont/
Vermont Energy Investment Corp.
Dealer.com
Media Sponsors
Star 92.9
Free Press Media
WCAX-TV
Planet 96.7
Route Sponsors
Duncan*Wisniewski
MyWebGrocer
Site Sponsors
Ben & Jerry’s Homemade Inc.
BlueCross BlueShield of Vermont
Casella Waste Management
Darn Tough Vermont
Northfield Savings Bank
NorthCountry Federal Credit Union
Vermont Tent Company
www.cotsonline.org T-Shirt Sponsors
City Market
Delta Dental
Dinse, Knapp & McAndrew, P.C.
The Dixie Six
Gardener’s Supply Co.
Hotel Vermont
Kave Audio
KeyBank
Queen City Printers, Inc.
RedStone
University of Vermont Medical Center
Vermont Systems
Generous in-kind supporters
Alison Redlich Photography; Green
Mountain Chorus; Hannaford Brothers;
Keller Williams Vermont; PP&D Distribution
Service; Saint Michael’s College; Staples;
Starbucks; Stephen Mease Photography;
Sugarsnap; Symquest; University of Vermont
Athletic Department; Verizon Wireless;
Vermont Lake Monsters; Vermont Pure
Spring; WB Mason.
CHALLENGE WALKERS
Individuals: Sally Ballin; Scot Barker;
Sydney Holt Barker; Rebecca Bull; Mary
Candon; Bishop Christopher Coyne; Denise
Danyow; Bob Duncan; Jonathan Farrell;
Melissa Goldberg; Lori Goldman; Joyce
Hagan; Nan Mason; Chip Patullo; Ernie
Pomerleau; Fr. Charles Ranges; Brigitte
Ritchie; Debra Royce; Lucy Samara; Stacey
Sheehan; Nicole Stefanowicz; Jennifer
Swint; Gillian Taylor; Casey Therrien; Jill
Warrington.
COTS HOMEFRONT
Business: Burlington Labs; Champlain
Investment Partners; Gardener’s Supply
Co.; KeyBank; Lenny’s Shoe and Apparel;
Logic Supply; MyWebGrocer; Primmer Piper
Eggleston & Cramer; Pomerleau Real Estate;
Saint Michael’s College; Sen. Patrick Leahy’s
Office; Signature Properties of Vermont;
TruexCullins; VEIC; Verilux; Winooski Housing
Authority.
Community: Ben Mary Julia Neelie; COTS
Walk – Spring Street; Seven Shades of Walkers.
Faith: Cathedral Church of St. Paul &
Christ Church Presbyterian; College Street
Congregational Church; First Congregational
Church of Burlington; First United Methodist
Church of Burlington; First Unitarian
Universalist Society of Burlington; Good
Shepherd Lutheran Church; Mercy Associates
and Religious; The Parish of Holy Family &
St. Lawrence; Richmond Congregational
Church; St. Catherine of Siena; St. James
Episcopal Church; St. Pius X; Shelburne
United Methodist Church; Stowe Community
Church; Temple Sinai; Trinity Episcopal
Church; United Church of Underhill.
School: Burlington High School National
Honor Society; Camels Hump Middle School;
Champlain Valley Union High School Key
Club; Integrated Arts Academy; Mount
Mansfield High School National Honor
Society; Rice Memorial High School; The
Schoolhouse Deltas; South Burlington High
School National Honor Society; University of
Vermont Department of Social Work.
Many thanks to our community volunteers,
team captains, donors, and walkers!
FALL 2015
We are grateful to our community – it takes all of
COTS absolutely could not do the work it does without
the generous support of our community.
Four teams fundraised and ran in the Vermont City Marathon
for COTS as part of Run Vermont’s Miles for Mission program
that benefits local nonprofits.
Lenny’s Shoe & Apparel, in conjunction with Darn Tough
and Smartwool, donated hundreds of new socks to COTS
shelters as well as the proceeds from their 5th Annual Charity
Sock Sale. The result? Nearly $600 for services and support
and many warm, dry feet.
Gotta Have Sole Foundation, Inc. provided 11 new pairs
of shoes for children in Family Shelter.
Thanks to the partnership and generous support of Champlain
Valley Office of Economic Opportunity’s (CVOEO)
Champlain Valley Weatherization, Commons Energy,
and Consumer Construction we were able to weatherize
Main Street Family Shelter for greater warmth and energy
efficiency.
Liz Dyer and local homeschoolers hosted their 16th Annual
Thanks to the generous partnership of Kinney Drugs, Staples,
KeyBank, Star 92.9 and WCAX, our #172vt Back to
School Drive was a huge success. We were able to fill over
172 backpacks and pass them out to our clients as well as
community partners.
Burlington Furniture Co. hosted their annual Anniversary Sale
to benefit COTS.
Mirabelle’s Café continues to donate a cake each month to
children who are having their birthday in shelter.
Northfield Savings Bank donated 35 vouchers for children in our
shelters to enjoy ECHO at the Leahy Center.
Select Design and Unknown Arts donated giant boxes of T-shirts
for guest staying at the Waystation.
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.
Seventh Generation stocked our shelves with 8 pallets of their
Homeschooler Bake Sale for COTS at the Fletcher Free Library.
diapers.
The bake sale brought in more than $300, and they donated all
the remaining baked goodies to the Daystation.
Burlington Parks, Recreation, and Waterfront, Burlington
Gardener’s Supply Co. helped beautify COTS shelters and
Valine of YWCA Camp Greylock together donated summer camp
permanent housing this summer. They donated seeds, plants,
compost, and potting soil to the Daystation, family shelters, and St.
John’s Hall. Their generosity and thoughtfulness means so much to
us and really goes far in brightening the spaces where we serve
our clients.
Jamie Bright, a local singer-songwriter based in Burlington
known on stage as Silent Mind, continues to host and raise money
for COTS through the COTS Songwriters Circle series he
organized in partnership with local performers and Nectar’s Bar
and Lounge.
City Arts, Wingspan Arts, ECHO at Leahy Center, and Sandy
scholarships to children staying in family shelter.
Timberlane Dental Group has been donating a monthly supply of
exam gloves for staff to use in shelter.
Chappell’s Florist donated beautiful recycled flower center pieces
to the Housing Resource Center reception desk.
Osh Kosh B’Gosh has been donating a steady supply of children’s
denim and school clothing.
Business Communication Services, Inc. donated their time and
services to our family shelters.
Heaven on Wheels Car Show, presented by McCaffrey’s Sunoco
Gadue’s Dry Cleaning has continued to be a huge asset to COTS,
& Waggy’s Store & Deli and Community Bible Church,
cleaning more than 40 blankets to top our beds in shelter.
raised money for COTS and homeless prevention, shelter, and
Buttered Noodles generously gave us two large boxes of brand
housing services.
new children’s clothes.
Vermont Lake Monsters donated tickets for our Daystation
Vermont Paralegal Organization provided 25 Valentine’s Day
guest to enjoy two games this summer.
goody bags to make the holiday special for children staying in shelter.
James and Lori Wilson donated 2 tickets for “1964” The
COSTCO made monthly gift card donations to support the Daystation
Tribute “World’s #1 Beatles Tribute” for COTS clients to enjoy.
meal program.
The Church Street Marketplace’s “Pachinko Champ and
Burlington Bedrooms donated 4 queen mattress sets for families
Champette” spare change game has collected more than
moving into new apartments.
$3,500 since arriving on the Church Street Marketplace.
www.cotsonline.org COTS HOMEFRONT
FALL 2015
Busy fall and busier
winter this year at COTS
all of us…
Volunteer groups from KeyBank, Blue Star Mothers, The
Hilton Garden Inn, Champlain Yacht Club, Middlebury
College’s Club MidView, Fairway Mortgage Corporation,
Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington, Mercy
Connections, Vermont Energy Investment Corporation,
North Hero Elementary School, Middlebury College,
UVM Medical Students, Allscripts, Mansfield Hall, Hallam
Associates Inc., Wells Fargo Group, Albert D. Lawton
Middle School, Dollar Enterprise, Dealer.com, The Ronald
McDonald House, UVM Kappa Alpha Theta, UVM Alpha
Phi Omega, and Lang House on Main Street Bed and
Breakfast donated and prepared meals and snacks for the
Daystation.
The Edge, American Red Cross Vermont & New
Hampshire Valley, UVM Dewey House for Community
Engagement, Burlington Tennis Club, Gardner’s Supply
Co., Instrumart, Richmond Congregational Church,
Lucy Samara and the First Congregational Church of
Burlington, Beth Weiner and the Pajama Program,
Sodexo at UVM, Parker Family Farms, Faith United
Methodist Church, Knitting Group, Hilton Garden Inn,
UVM Medical Center, Shearer Volkswagon, Colchester
Middle School, Saint Michael’s College, Vermont Business
Magazine, Our Lady of Grace Church, Christ the King
School, KPMG Family for Literacy, Walmart, Buffalo Wild
Wings, and UVM Medical Libraries all organized donation
drives that collected a variety of much-needed items on the COTS
Wish list -– from toiletries, to household items, to gift cards, pillows
and bedding, clothing and non-perishable food.
Hammerfit, Buzzbee Bakery, Green Mountain
Chiropractic, The Community Health Center, Nate’s
Automotive, Leonora Dodge, and Everything Auto all
donated prizes and raffle items for the COTS Zumbathon hosted
by Kate Barash-Engel.
The Flying Pig Bookstore donated 3 boxes of books.
In lieu of gifts, Josie Maxwell asked for bedding and linens to
donate to COTS on her birthday.
August First, Mirabelle’s, The Great Harvest Bread
Company, Doughnut Dilemma, Feldman’s Bagels,
The Bagel Café and Deli, Hannaford, and Starbucks of
Williston donated the food for our Annual Meeting and Volunteer
Recognition Breakfast.
Chappell’s Florist donated recycled flowers to our facilities and
provided 10 bouquets for our Annual Meeting.
Staples donated 3 boxes of lip balm for guests in shelter.
www.cotsonline.org COTS HOMEFRONT
Construction of new Daystation
and housing gets under way;
seasonal shelter opens
COTS has moved closer to rebuilding the Daystation
and creating new housing with construction set to get
under way at our 95 North Avenue building.
The aims of the renovation project are threefold: to
rebuild the Daystation; to create 14 new units of
affordable, service-enriched housing; and to upgrade
program space and enhance services for families and
prevention outreach.
Due to construction, the COTS’ Housing Resource
Center, family services, and administrative offices have
temporarily moved. These COTS programs are now
co-located with our Daystation and the new winter
warming shelter at 179 S. Winooski Ave., Burlington.
The Daystation, COTS’ daytime service center for
homeless adults, has been without a stable home ever
since it flooded in July 2012. By late next year, the
Daystation will enjoy a permanent location at 95
North Ave.
COTS has partnered with Housing Vermont for the 95
North renvoation project. Thanks to generous public
and private support, the 95 North Project “Bringing It
All Home” will soon be a reality.
Winter Warming Shelter
COTS also is opening a warming shelter this month.
This shelter, in partnership with the state’s Agency of
Human Services, will welcome guests through the end of
March. Our shared goal is to alleviate the expensive use
of overflow motels and to redirect any savings toward
prevention and long-term housing options.
The warming shelter will provide 40 beds, which are in
addition to COTS’ Waystation that already offers 36 beds.
COTS has worked closely with the state, city, downtown
community, and nonprofit partners in preparing to
open this additional shelter. The University of Vermont
Medical Center will donate linens and laundry service
for the warming shelter. We are also grateful to CVOEO,
Howard Center, and Safe Harbor Health Center for their
encouragement and support.
More than 30 volunteers also plan to donate their
time at the warming shelter this winter. For more
information on volunteering, contact Lori at lorig@
cotsonline.org, or call (802) 864-7402, Ext. 207.
FALL 2015
Thank you!
These generous businesses and organizations provided in-kind and financial
support during COTS’ fiscal year (Oct. 1, 2014-Sept. 30, 2015). 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.
4 Seasons Garden Center
A.M. Turk Tax Associates, Inc.
Abbey Group
Advanced Machine & Tool Company, Inc.
Aerodyme Corporation
After Midnight Corporation
AIG Matching Grants Program
Airboss - Defense Inc.
Alchemist Brewery
Alder Brook Dental Associates, PC
Alison Redlich Photography
All Saints Episcopal Church
All Souls Interfaith Gathering
Allscripts
Al’s French Frys
Amazing Smiles, Inc.
AmazonSmile
American Flatbread
American Legion Post 91
American Red Cross New Hampshire &
Vermont Region
Apple Mountain Vermont Gifts &
Specialty Foods
Aquatec Biological Sciences, Inc.
Argosy Foundation
ArtsRiot
Arvad’s Inc.
Ashgate Publishing Company
August First Bakery
AXA Foundation
The Bagel Place
Bailey-Howe and Dana Medical Libraries
Balance Team, Inc.
Banana Republic
Bank of America Charitable Foundation
Barnes & Noble Booksellers
Barton United Church
Beauty in The Works
Ben & Jerry’s Foundation
Ben & Jerry’s Homemade Inc.
Benevity Community Impact Fund
Benware Enterprises, Inc.
Bertha Church Intimate Apparel Lingerie
Blodgett, Watts, Volk & Sussman, P.C.
Blue Star Mothers
Bluebird Barbecue
BlueCross BlueShield of Vermont
www.cotsonline.org The Body Shop Skin & Hair Care
boloco
Bond Auto Parts
Booska Movers
Boucher & Pritchard Funeral Directors
Brian Jones Woodworking
Brick Box Company LLC
Brio Coffeeworks
Bristol Animal Hospital
Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation
Bruegger’s Enterprises, Inc.
Buffalo Wild Wings
Building Energy
Burlington Barber Shop
Burlington Bedrooms
Burlington City Arts
Burlington Elks Lodge #916
Burlington Furniture
Burlington Housing Trust Fund
Burlington Laboratories, Inc.
Burlington Parks and Recreation
Burlington Police Department
Burlington Telecom
Burlington Tennis Club
Business Communication Services, Inc.
Buttered Noodles
Cabot Vermont
Cady’s Falls Nursery
Calvary Episcopal Church
Camels Hump Middle School
Carter’s
Casella Waste Systems, Inc.
Catamount North
Cedar Ledge Builders, Inc.
Chakra-5-Records, LLC
Chamberlin Elementary School
Champlain Cable Corporation
Champlain College
Champlain College: Center for Service &
Civic Engagement
Champlain Consulting Engineers
Champlain Elementary School
Champlain Investment Partners
Champlain Valley Association for Insurance
Professionals
Champlain Woodcraft
Champlain Yacht Club
COTS HOMEFRONT
Chappell’s Florist
Charles Schwab Corporation Foundation
Charlotte Central School
Charlotte Congregational Church
Christ the King School
Church Street Marketplace
Citizens Bank
Citizens Bank Foundation
City Market Onion River Co-op
City of Burlington, Community & Economic
Development Office
City of South Burlington
City of Winooski
Clarity Laboratories
Clark’s Truck Center
Claussen’s Enterprise Incorporated
Clear Family Chiropractic
College Street Congregational
Community Alliance Church
Community Bible Church Assembly of God
The Condo Guy
Co-Operative Insurance Companies
Cosmos Hair Salon, LLC
Costco Wholesale #314
Creative Teamworks
Crystal Rock & Vermont Pure Bottled Water
Companies
CS Business and Property Mgt, LLC
CSE, Inc.
Cub Scout Troop 607
Cushman Design Group, Inc.
Cx Associates, LLC
Cybergrants
Danforth Pewter
Darn Tough Vermont
The Data Farm
Daughters of Charity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Daughters of Isabella, Madonna Circle
Dealer.com
Dear Lucy
Dee Physical Therapy
DEW Construction
Dewey House for Community Engagement at UVM
DGH Enterprises LLC
Di Stefano Landscaping
Dinse, Knapp & McAndrew, P.C.
Discovery Map
The Dixie Six
Dok Wright Photography
Downs Rachlin & Martin PLLC
Duncan * Wisniewski Architecture
Eagle Eye Farm, Inc.
ECHO at the Leahy Center
The Edge
Edmunds Elementary School
Emily Post Institute
Employee Community Action Council of
FALL 2015
General Dynamics
Engineering Ventures
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Enviro Tech of VT Septic Services, LLC
Ericson Team at KW Vermont
Essex Center United Methodist Church Women
Essex High School
Essex Junction Fire Department
Essex Resort and Spa
Fairway Mortgage Corporation
Faith United Methodist Church
Faith United Methodist Women
Fanny Allen Corporation, Inc.
Farmhouse Group/Farmhouse Tap & Grill
Farrell Distributing Corporation
Farrell Real Estate Co.
Fead Construction Law, PLC
Feathered Friends 4H Club
Feldman’s Bagels
Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund
First Congregational Church of Burlington
First Congregational Church of Essex Junction
First Night, Inc.
First Unitarian Universalist Society of Burlington
Fitzgerald Veterinary Hospital
Flat Fee Real Estate
Fletcher Free Library
Fletcher/CSI, Inc.
Flynn Center for the Performing Arts
Forest Park Realty Corp.
Frank Carruth Inc.
Fraternal Order of Eagles
FreePressMedia
Furchgott & Sourdiffe Gallery
G W Tatro Construction, Inc.
Gadue’s Dry Cleaning, Inc.
Gannett Foundation, Inc.
Gardener’s Supply Co.
Gay & Lesbian Fund of Vermont, Inc.
GE Foundation
General Dynamics
Georgia Elementary & Middle School
Gigunda Group, Inc.
Girl Scout Troop 30846 at Integrated Arts
Academy
Goldman, Sachs & Co. Matching Gift Program
Goodrich PAC Match
Goodshop
Goodwill
Gordon’s Window Decor
Gotta Have Sole Foundation, Inc.
Grace United Methodist Church
Great Developments, LLC
Great Harvest Bread Co.
Greater Burlington YMCA
Greater Horizons
Greek Orthodox Philoptochos
www.cotsonline.org Green Mountain Chorus
Green Mountain Montessori School
Hallam Associates, Inc.
Halloran Hardware
Halvorson’s Upstreet Cafe
Hammerfit Motion Studio
Hannaford Brothers Co.
Hardy Structural Engineering
Harrington Properties
Hemenway & Barnes LLP
Henry’s Diner
Heritage Business Services, Inc.
Highgate Elementary School
Hinesburg 4H Club
Home Instead Senior Care
HomeBridge Financial Services, Inc.
Homeschoolers of Chittenden County
Honest Yoga LLC
Hotel Vermont
Howard Plant VFW Post 782
IBM Retiree Charitable Campaign
IBM-Computershare
Independent Block, LLC
Industrial Services, Inc.
Instrumart
Intervale Center
J. A. Morrissey, Inc.
J. M. Forbes & Co., LLP
Janitech
Jericho United Methodist Church
Jerusalem Gathering
K.C. Scanlon Estate Sales & Services, LLC
Karen Pike Photography
Kave Audio
Kell and Company Real Estate
Kelsey Trust
Keurig Green Mountain
KeyBank
KeyBank Foundation
KeyBank National Association
King’s Corner Deli - Burlington Vermont
Kinney Drugs
Kojo Academy of Tae Kwon Do & Martial
Arts
KPMG Family for Literacy
Krebs & Lansing Consulting Engineers, Inc.
L. K. Rossi Corporation
L/R Pest Elimination Services
Lafayette Highway Specialties
Lake Champlain Chocolates
Larkin Realty
Lenny’s Shoe & Apparel
Leonardo’s Pizza
Leunig’s Bistro
Lynch Family Chiropractic, LLC
Mad River Barn
Main Street Landing
COTS HOMEFRONT
Management Accounting Services, LLC
Mann & Machine, Inc.
Mansfield Hall
Mater Christi School
Maternal and Child Health Division –
Department of Health
MAXIMUS Foundation
McCaffrey’s Sunoco
McVeigh Skiff LLP
Meredith Corporation
Mervyn L. Brenner Foundation, Inc.
Microsoft Matching Gifts Program
Middlebury College
Milton Elementary School
Mirabelles, Inc.
Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa
Mister Z’s
Modern Design Furniture
Montstream Studio
Montgomery & Merrill, PC
Montpelier Broadcasting, Inc.
Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust, Inc.
Move You Fitness Studio
Murphy Sullivan Kronk
MyWebGrocer
The Nate Malley Team
Nate’s Automotive
National Life Group Charitable Foundation, Inc.
National Life Insurance Company
Nectar’s
New England Builders, LLC
New England Federal Credit Union
New England Floor Covering Company, Inc.
New Moon Cafe
Nikon Precision, Inc.
North Hero Elementary School
NorthCountry Federal Credit Union
Northeast Delta Dental
Northern Benefits
Northfield Savings Bank
O’Brien Brothers Agency, Inc.
Oh My Dog VT
Ohavi Zedek Synagogue
Onion River Chiropractic, Inc.
Orchard Elementary School
OshKosh B’Gosh
Our Lady of Grace Church
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church
P & P Septic
Pajama Program
Parker Family Farm
Pascolo
Paul Frank + Collins P.C.
Paw Print & Mail
Pax Christi Burlington
PC Construction
Pearson & Associates
FALL 2015
Penny Cluse Cafe
People’s United Bank
People’s United Community Foundation
Perkins Fitness
Pfizer Foundation
Pizzagalli Properties, LLC
PJSC LLC, The Scuffer Steak & Ale House
Pomerleau Properties, Inc.
Post 782 VFW Auxiliary
The Pour House
PP&D Distribution Service
Prelco, Inc.
Price Chopper Supermarkets
Princeton Area Community Foundation
Queen City Printers, Inc.
Ready Funeral Service, Inc.
Red House, Inc.
Redstone Commercial Group
Regular Veterans Association – RVA Post 514
Reinhart Food Service
Religious Hospitallers of St. Joseph of
Delaware Inc.
Religious Hospitallers of St. Joseph
Resource Systems Group, Inc.
Rice Memorial High School
Richmond Congregational Church
Rock Point School
Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington
Rookie’s Root Beer
Roth Real Estate
Rovers North
RunVermont
Sabra Field, Inc.
St. Albans Town Educational Center
St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church
St. John Vianney Church
Saint Michael’s College: Edmundite Community
Saint Michael’s College: MOVE Office
Santa Night
Sara Holbrook Community Center
The Schoolhouse
SecurShred, Inc.
Select Design
Selection Unlimited
Seventh Generation
Shearer Volkswagen
Shelburne Trinity Episcopal Church
Shelburne United Methodist Church
Sheraton Burlington Hotel & Conference Center
Silicon Valley Community Foundation
Sisters of Mercy
Sisters of Mercy/Northeast Community
Sixty Farrell Street Associates, LLC
Smith-Alvarez-Sienkiewycz Architects
Sodexo at University of Vermont
Soles4Souls
Sophia’s Pizzeria
www.cotsonline.org South Burlington High School
Staples
Starbucks
Stellar Restaurant Group, Inc.
Stephen & Burns Salon & Spa
Stephen Mease Photography
Sterling Construction, Inc.
Stillpoint Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork
Stone Underground Construction
Stowe Community Church
Strategic Technology Services, Inc.
Subway
Sugarsnap
Sweeney DesignBuild, LLC
Sweet Clover Market
SymQuest Group, Inc.
Systems & Software, Inc.
Timber Lane Pediatrics
Timberlane Dental Group
Time Out for Whoopie
Tiny Thai
TJ MAXX
Town of Charlotte
Town of Essex
Town of Hinesburg
Town of Jericho
Town of St. George
Town of Underhill
Town of Williston
Toy City
Trapp Family Lodge
TruexCullins Architecture + Interior Design
Twinfield Union School
U.S. Probation Office
Underhill Central School
Union Mutual of Vermont Companies
United Church of Colchester
United Church of Fairfax
United Church of Hardwick
United Church of Hinesburg
United Way of Chittenden County
United Way of Rhode Island
United Way of the Greater Capital Region, Inc.
University Mall
University of Vermont:
Athletic Department
Club AFECT
College of Agriculture and Sciences
College of Medicine
Dana Medical Library
Community Development &
Applied Economics Department
Sociology Department
Student Financial Services
Theatre Department
Vermont Veteran Services
University of Vermont Medical Center
COTS HOMEFRONT
FALL 2015
Unknown Arts
Uno Pizzeria & Grill
Ursa Major
USANA
Vanguard Charitable
Verilux, Inc.
Verizon Wireless
Vermont Agency Foundation
Vermont Business Magazine
Vermont Catholic Charities
Vermont Children’s Trust Foundation
Vermont Commons School
Vermont Community Foundation
Vermont Creamery
Vermont DAR, Seth Warner Chapter
Vermont Energy Investment Corp.
Vermont Federal Credit Union
Vermont Housing Conservation Board
Vermont Kitchen Supply, Inc.
Vermont Korean American United
Methodist Women
Vermont Lake Monsters
Vermont Moving and Storage
Vermont Paralegal Organization
Vermont Systems, Inc.
Vermont Tent Company
Vermont Testing, Inc.
Veterans of Foreign Wars 1767
VHB Inc.
Von Bargen’s Jewelry, LLC
W.B. Mason
Walmart
WCAX TV
Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC
WEZF 92.9 FM
Whitcomb Woods Tenants Association, Inc.
White & Burke Real Estate Investment
Advisors, Inc.
White Mountain School
Willie Racine’s Jeep
Williston Central School
Williston Seventh-day Adventist Church
Winburn Law Offices
Wingspan Studio
Winooski Housing Authority
Winooski School District
Winooski United Methodist Church
WOKO/WJOY Radio
Wow Toyz
Wright & Morrissey, Inc.
WXZO Planet 96.7
Xtreme Grafix, LLC
Zabby and Elf’s Stone Soup
Zinnia, Inc.
10
year in review 2015
by the numbers 2015
Revenue*
$3,494,237
shelters
Individuals & Businesses: $1,038,752 (30%)
Federal Grants: $586,814 (17%)
Foundations: $535,409 (15%)
State Grants: $458,770 (13%)
Rental Income: $335,399 (9%)
Veterans Administration: $237,363 (7%)
United Way: $128,249 (4%)
Other: $173,481 (5%)
Family Shelters: 64 families, including 109 children,
stayed in a COTS family shelter. We can host up to
15 families each night in our two family shelters.
Adult Overnight Shelter: 231 individuals stayed
in COTS’ emergency shelter, which provides 36
emergency beds each night.
Adult Daytime Shelter: The Daystation is a daytime
drop-in center for homeless adults in our community.
Last year, 682 adults – an average of 33 people a
day – visited the Daystation, where a noontime meal
is served daily with the help of volunteers.
REHOUSING & SUPPORT SERVICES
COTS Family Services: 173 homeless families,
including those staying in emergency shelter or in the
community, received support from COTS staff.
COTS Adult Services: 147 single, homeless adults
received outreach and support from COTS staff.
PREVENTION SUPPORT
Prevention Assistance: 318 households
Expenses
$3,494,237
experiencing crisis averted homelessness through the
COTS Housing Resource Center.
Family Shelters: $779,458 (22%)
Adult Shelters: $583,035 (17%)
Housing Facilities: $549,910 (16%)
Prevention Services: $490,552 (14%)
Support Services: $392,237 (11%)
Development: $353,561 (10%)
Administration: $226,204 (6%)
Capital Contribution: $62,542 (2%)
Public Education: $56,738 (2%)
Rehousing Assistance: 112 households received
rehousing assistance through the COTS Housing
Resource Center.
HOUSING
Transitional Housing: 23 units of housing for
families and individuals are offered by COTS at
Smith House and Canal Street Veterans Housing.
16 additional families were in transitional housing
through Family Supportive Housing, a COTS
master-lease program in partnership with Howard
Center and Champlain Housing Trust.
Permanent Housing: 58 units of housing are
offered by COTS at Smith House, The Wilson,
St. John’s Hall, and Canal Street Veterans Housing
(with Housing Vermont).
COTS services provided: 10/1/14-9/30/15
*Extraordinary Income in FY15 included a one-time strategic capital gift and
capital campaign proceeds, which net of related expenses totaled $1.1 million.
These are all pre-audited number for COTS FY15.
www.cotsonline.org COTS HOMEFRONT
FALL 2015
11
Committee on
Temporary Shelter
PO Box 1616
Burlington, VT 05402-1616
802-864-7402
www.cotsonline.org
Mark your calendar
Find out more about these events – and how you can get
involved – at our Web site: cotsonline.org.
Zumbathon® Event
1-3 p.m., Nov. 15, Contois Auditorium, Burlington City Hall
The Zumbathon® for COTS is a fundraiser hosted and
organized by former COTS Daystation staffer and Zumba®
instructor Kate Barash-Engel. Bring water, a towel, shoes, and
cash for raffle items. Minimum fundraising of $100 or $35 at
door, as space allows. Register at cotsonline.org.
Phonathon
Nov. 30-Dec. 3, Dec. 7-8, 5:30-9 p.m.
COTS Offices, 179 S. Winooski Ave., 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 Lori at (802) 864-7402, Ext. 207 or
email lorig@cotsonline.org.
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Permit No. 896
Burlington, VT
City Market Tree Sale
December, City Market, 82 S. Winooski Ave., Burlington
City Market plans to once again generously sell fresh balsam
trees to benefit COTS. Trees cost $35 and are expected to
arrive Dec. 2, 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.
The Coolest Lunch
Noon-2 p.m., Dec. 16, downtown Burlington, Church Street
Marketplace, and Winooski (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 p.m., Dec. 21, Burlington City Hall steps, Church Street
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.