Join the Campaign for a New Waystation

This isn’t just a renovation. It’s a revolution in how we treat people at their most vulnerable. When you support this campaign, you’re not just building a shelter—you’re building a steppingstone to permanent housing, safety, and stability. The Hoehl Family Foundation (HFF) has pledged a $200,000 challenge grant to support COTS in its capital campaign for a new Waystation homeless shelter that will match gifts to the campaign.

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2025 COTS Walk

It is not too late to make a gift to the COTS Walk! This important fundraiser allows COTS to provide vital services and programs each year to neighbors experiencing homelessness.

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At COTS...

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.

Read Our Mission

Be the change

Help those experiencing homelessness find hope and a brighter future by becoming a COTS volunteer. Discover our rewarding volunteer opportunities!

See Current Opportunities

COTS' Mission Statement

COTS advocates for long-term solutions to end homelessness and provides emergency shelter, services, and long-term housing for people who are experiencing homelessness or are marginally housed.

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Our Services

Support for those experiencing homelessness from financial assistance and emergency shelter to housing navigation and long-term housing solutions.

Financial Assistance

If you are at risk of homelessness

Emergency Shelter

If you are currently experiencing homelessness

Housing Navigation

If you are currently experiencing homelessness

Housing Retention

If you have experienced homelessness

Permanent Housing

If you have experienced homelessness

Our Impact

COTS is the largest provider of housing & homelessness prevention services in Vermont. Last year we helped 1,366 people, including 317 children.

252

Households

including 293 adults and 132 children, received housing and services through the COTS Housing Resource Center.

159

Individuals

stayed at the Waystation, COTS' year-round overnight shelter, and received housing and supportive services.

203

Adults

and 67 children experiencing homelessness in area hotels received re-housing and support services.

130

Households

including 102 children, received prevention assistance and services to avert homelessness.

145

Individuals

including 91 children received housing support through the Family Supportive Housing program.

Families

including 65 children, stayed in a COTS family shelter and received housing and supportive services. Specialized programs were also offered for children.

1784

Individuals

visited the Daystation, COTS' daytime drop-in center for lunch, showers, laundry, and services.

Who is COTS?

Our leadership team and Board of Directors bring a wealth of varied experience to best serve our community.

Get to Know Us

Get Help

Receive personalized help for your immediate shelter, resources and support needs.

I Need Help

Give Help

Make a difference in the lives of those experiencing homelessness.

I Can Help

Where are we?

Our Locations

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 the Tour

Want to get involved?

Ways to Give

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.

Give Help

Give the gift of time...

Volunteer

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!

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We were not in the position to give a substantial amount of money, but we could give time, even if it was just a little. I love that COTS does not simply put a Band-Aid on the issue of homelessness. They help by providing specific tools.

— Jill Diemer, volunteer

To assist COTS in a small way in providing absolutely vital services to people, in a compassionate, empowering and effective manner, is a privilege that brings additional meaning and purpose to my life. In my career as a public librarian, and now as a volunteer at COTS, I focus on understanding the needs of our clients, matching them with appropriate resources and services at COTS, and doing so in a way that is welcoming and encouraging.

— Bill Talentino, volunteer

Read the Latest on Our Blog

Stay up to date on recent happenings, events, news, and more.

Jan 10, 2025

COTS Warming Station

COTS is announcing a new overnight, low barrier shelter with capacity for 30 people to run from January 15th until the end of April. This added shelter capacity, made possible by COTS’ successful acquisition of a former federally owned building, will function jointly with the COTS Daystation shelter to provide respite for unsheltered individuals. Open January 15, 5pm through April 30th, 8am Open 5pm to 8am daily 30 bed capacity Individuals 18 and older Low barrier with behavioral expectations ADA Service Animals only

Nov 21, 2024

2024 COTS Phonathon

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. Your volunteer work, donations, and support for the Phonathon are vital to the services COTS provides.

Nov 4, 2024

Holiday Toy Shop

Children Donations Events Families Volunteers

Thank you for making the holidays special for children and families experiencing homelessness. Your generosity makes a huge difference for people in shelters.

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