Investing in Dignity and Hope
The Waystation: A Lifeline for 40+ Years
Since its founding, COTS’ Waystation has sheltered thousands of adults experiencing homelessness.
- 36 beds in a limited space
- Consistently at full capacity
- A cornerstone in COTS’ housing-focused approach
- Served 159 people last year
But, the current facility is aging and can no longer meet the growing need.
A New Opportunity at 58 Pearl Street
COTS has acquired a former federal building through a rare opportunity.
This 7,361 sq ft facility—more than 3x the current shelter’s size—offers:
- ADA accessibility
- One-floor layout
- Proximity to services
- Private parking
Long-term vision: A transformed Waystation with trauma-informed design.
Reimagining the Waystation
Opening December 2025 with your help!
Redesigned Space Will Include:
- 14 rooms for up to 4 guests each
- 6 private bathrooms with showers
- On-site laundry
- Kitchenette and dining area
- Secure reception
- Staff offices & guest meeting spaces
- Medical exam room
- Ample guest storage
- Welcoming common areas
Above: Rendering of a room for four guests.
You can help.
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.
We’ve already secured the building and raised half the funds. But we need your help to raise the remaining $1 million to open the doors by December 2025.
Your support builds more than shelter—it builds successful futures and a healthy community. You are an essential partner in addressing the homelessness crisis in our community.
Contact Jonathan Farrell at 802-540-2476 or jonathanf@cotsonline.org today to learn more or schedule a tour. Send checks with a note "Waystation Campaign" to PO Box 1616, Burlington, VT 05402. Or Make a gift online by clicking "donate" at the top of this page.
A Surge of Matching Grant Generosity:
COTS is pleased to share that we have successfully met the Hoehl Family Foundation’s $200,000 challenge grant to support our campaign for a new Waystation adult shelter thanks to an incredible outpouring of support from the community. In a powerful show of commitment to the mission of ending homelessness, donors rallied to meet the match, bringing the campaign one major step closer to the finish line.
Now, the Courtney and Victoria Buffum Family Foundation has joined the surge with a new $200,000 challenge, encouraging the community to dig deep to close the campaign’s final funding gap. This generous commitment will directly fund the shelter’s renovation and aims to inspire the community to join in by matching the grant dollar-for-dollar, to bring a state-of-the-art shelter to life.
Tom Gauntlett, President of the Buffum Foundation Board, expressed the foundation’s deep commitment to long-term solutions that address the root causes of homelessness: “We’re inspired by the life-changing work COTS does every day, helping individuals and families not just survive, but move forward into permanent housing. We’re proud to support this campaign and hope this challenge will inspire others to help COTS cross the finish line.”
Our Goal:
Help us Raise $2M to complete the renovations for the new Waystation.