We believe in the value and dignity of every human life, that housing is a fundamental human right and that emergency shelter is not the solution to homelessness.
Help those experiencing homelessness find hope and a brighter future by becoming a COTS volunteer. Discover our rewarding volunteer opportunities!
Comprehensive assistance to those in need, offering financial assistance to lay the foundation for a hopeful and prosperous future.
With your generosity, you can help get essential needs for those experiencing homelessness. Every purchase makes a difference.
COTS advocates for long-term solutions to end homelessness and provides emergency shelter, services, and long-term housing for Vermonters who are experiencing homelessness or are marginally housed.
Support for those experiencing homelessness from financial assistance and emergency shelter to housing navigation and long-term housing solutions.
COTS is the largest provider of housing & homelessness prevention services in Vermont. Last year we helped 1,366 people, including 317 children.
Our leadership team and Board of Directors bring a wealth of varied experience to best serve our community.
Receive personalized help for your immediate shelter, resources and support needs.
Make a difference in the lives of those experiencing homelessness.
We operate 95 units of transitional housing and affordable permanent housing in the Burlington and Winooski areas to provide vital support to individuals experiencing homelessness in the area.
Take action against homelessness in Vermont. We offer multiple ways for you to help support our mission.
Donate - Give online or by phone, mail, or EFT.
Wish List - Help fulfill the COTS wish list by donating hygiene items in person or on our Amazon Wishlist.
Alternative Giving - Hold a facebook fundraiser or purchase Cookies for Good to benefit COTS.
You can volunteer for COTS in many ways, and we appreciate all types of skills and areas of expertise. COTS volunteer needs are constantly changing, so if you’d like to stay up to date on our volunteer opportunities, we encourage you to fill out our brief volunteer application!
Stay up to date on recent happenings, events, news, and more.
Our coldest temperature last winter was -14°F. People experiencing homelessness walk an average of 10 miles per day, no matter the weather. Increased risks of physical injury, poor hygiene, and inadequate footwear have been cited as contributing factors to the development of foot problems. For the winter months, we partner with Gadue’s Dry Cleaning to provide people with warm coats, and this October we are tackling the next need – winter boots.
This year, the second year running, with your help we were able to provide 355 students with new backpacks and school supplies in a fun environment. Each student received a great abundance of supplies and a backpack to feel set for the school year. Similarly, to last year we had a bouncy house, face painting, lunch, hygiene items, outfits, and haircutters. This year we added ice cream, homemade cookies and lemonade provided by Emily Eden, a Storytime with 2 free books per child through CLiF, and other community partners tabling with information.
Thank you to our registrants, donors, sponsors, volunteers, and staff for making this possible. We had an amazing turnout for this year's event including 473 COTS Walk registrants, 97 volunteers, and over 1,500 Walkers. With your support, we raised an incredible $240,829.75. COTS Walk donations are a main source of funding for our shelters, programs, and services.
The 34th Annual COTS Walk on Sunday, May 7, 2023 is a 3.6-mile trek (a shorter 1-mile route is available) around downtown Burlington that starts from Battery Park and follows the path a person experiencing homelessness might travel to connect with COTS shelter and services.