According to Executive Director Jonathan Farrell, “the world has changed drastically since COTS was founded 40 years ago, and we have evolved as an organization to meet growing needs in our community. We have grown from a committee tasked with creating a temporary shelter to keep people from freezing at night to an award-winning non-profit organization aimed at addressing systems contributing to homelessness. To better reflect who we are today, COTS has undergone a year-long process to explore our identity and brand.”
COTS is working to be a model of diversity, equity, and inclusion to reflect the many faces, cultures and walks of life present in our community. COTS partnered with nuwave, a local firm that understands the specific challenges facing Vermont and Burlington, and also bring a robust collection of skills to the table.
COTS has been busy this holiday season! Here is a recap of some of the happenings at COTS this winter.
COTS and Evernorth partner to create 16 new units of deeply affordable housing for families experiencing homelessness
The COTS Phonathon is our oldest and one of our most important fundraisers. Each year, the week after Thanksgiving, staff and volunteers call past COTS supporters and ask them to consider a gift to COTS again this year.
Today, the Committee on Temporary Shelter announced the appointment of Jonathan Farrell as the organization’s next Executive Director, effective November 17th.
This year, COTS will be holding our first ever “Back to School Bonanza” to get Vermont students in need ready for the school year. Students can prepare for back-to-school season in all the ways necessary; school supplies, backpacks, back-to-school haircuts, first-day-of-school outfits, and more.
COTS has officially kicked off the seventh annual Back to School Drive. The Drive kicked off with the Lake Monsters game on July 1st, where COTS Development & Communications director Rebekah Mott and her kiddo threw the opening pitch.
June marks the launch of COTS’ first summer postcard campaign to bring awareness around homelessness and COTS services. We have partnered with Erika Senft Miller who created the art on each postcard, with the series of artworks entitled “In Times Like These.”
Register today for the 33rd annual COTS Walk, presented by Rice Lumber. The COTS Walk is in person this year, and is the nonprofit’s largest annual event and a critical fundraiser to provide shelter, services, and housing to people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless in Vermont.
Today, the inimitable Rita Markley formally announced her upcoming retirement as Executive Director of the Committee on Temporary Shelter. Markley will step down on September 30, 2022, after 30 years of service to the non-profit organization.
COTS annual candlelight vigil will be taking place Tuesday, December 21 at 5:30 PM in front of Burlington City Hall.
The 14th annual Dee PT COTS Diaper Drive is upon us! This year, the event will look slightly different.
COTS will ask supporters to “answer the call” for the upcoming annual Phonathon. Volunteers will begin to call past donors Monday, November 29, through Thursday, December 2 as the nonprofit’s oldest annual fundraiser kicks off.
Thank you for making the holidays so special for people, especially children, experiencing homelessness. We appreciate your generosity immensely.
National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week is taking place November 13-21 this year. Throughout the week, COTS will be raising awareness around hunger and homelessness along with organizations and individuals across the country.
