Partnerships and Innovation
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THE COMMITTEE ON TEMPORARY SHELTER VOL. 31, NO. 2 www.cotsonline.org FALL 2013 Partnerships and innovation GIVE GIFTS that KEEP GIVING A way of work for COTS for over 30 years Alternative shopping ideas from COTS Even during our earliest days, the two features that have characterized COTS’ work and approach to challenges have been partnership and innovation. Send a Katharine Montstream holiday card Every initiative we’ve undertaken in the past 30 years, every endeavor we’ve launched, This year, avoid the holiday shopping we have done in partnership with many others. And it started on the first night COTS crowds and give the gift of warmth and opened its doors, on Christmas Eve 1982, in borrowed space from the Sara Holbrook shelter this year. Make a minimum $10 Center, with supplies donated by the Vermont National Guard. donation to COTS in someone’s name, and we’ll send the recipient a card with Every milestone we’ve reached, every turning point, every success was defined (or a personalized message and include: “A made possible) through connections with landlords, businesses, nonprofit allies, generous donation has been made to the housing developers, local congregations and schools. Each challenge encountered by Committee on Temporary Shelter in your COTS has been met through partnership and innovation, both vital for improving our name. This gift of warmth and shelter will capacity to respond to the changing needs of the most vulnerable Vermonters. help families and individuals who are experiencing the crisis of homelessness Community collaboration is a key component in every story COTS shares, and it’s a make it through the harsh winter months.” tradition that continues today – in both our daily work and strategic vision. To order, call Gillian at (802) 864-7402, The HowardCenter Street Outreach Team has an ongoing daily conversation with Ext. 207 or email [email protected]. members of the COTS Daystation staff. Howard assists those with mental Champlain College recognized COTS illness, substance abuse, homelessness, Executive Director Rita Markley with its and unmet social service needs. Distinguished Citizen of the Year award at They help coordinate care for these its Convocation in August. President David individuals, including with COTS. Finney presented the honor to Rita (watch a video of Rita’s speech: www.cotsonline.org). COTS and Champlain Housing Trust (CHT) have worked together in multiple capacities through the years – from the Regional Low- Income Emergency Facilities (ReLIEF) Campaign, to the “Hard to House” pilot, which literally helps the “hardest to Shop at City Market Tree Sale house” secure housing City Market (82 S. Winooski Ave.) plans through a risk-guarantee to once again generously sell fresh fund, to the recently balsam trees to benefit COTS. Trees cost launched Family $35 and are expected to arrive on Dec. Supportive Housing 4, with sales continuing until all trees are sold. “Elves” are needed to help with the Demonstration. benefit sale. Visit www.citymarket.coop. continued page 2 continued page 11 Community collaboration... continued from page 1 The Family Supportive Housing Demonstration is a partnership between COTS, Howard and CHT that provides transitional housing and supportive services for families struggling with homelessness. (See page 5 to HomeFront is published twice a year, learn more about this program.) in April and December, by: For Canal Street Veterans COTS hosted a reception this year for Dr. Sam COMMITTEE ON Housing, COTS partnered Tsemberis, the award-winning national leader who TEMPORARY SHELTER with Housing Vermont, a launched the successful Housing First initiative to end PO Box 1616 Burlington, VT 05402 nonprofit syndication and homelessness. Tsemberis is the CEO and founder of 802-864-7402 development company that Pathways to Housing. He and our partner Pathways fax 802-864-2612 creates permanently affordable Vermont shared their promising results from Vermont’s www.cotsonline.org rental housing for Vermonters Housing First initiative started in 2010. through partnerships with local Established 1982 organizations, public agencies and the private sector. BOARD OF DIRECTORS Since opening February 2011, 29 veterans have successfully completed the COTS Brigitte Ritchie, Chair Jeffrey Nolan, Vice Chair program at Canal Street and moved into permanent housing. Debra Royce, Treasurer COTS’ collaborations go beyond our service partners. Champlain College worked Joyce Hagan, Secretary with COTS on the temporary overflow shelter that we operated from 2009 to 2012, Beth Anderson providing space and expertise. We are currently guests of the First United Methodist Sean Collins Church of Burlington, as we borrow their beautiful and historic parsonage for use as James J. Fogler an interim Daystation space through the end of March 2014. Laurie Gunn George Hubbard COTS has many, many partnerships with local colleges and universities – on guidance, Catherine Kronk training, volunteers and more. We have a long-standing partnership with Saint Paul Lekstutis Michael’s College’s MOVE office, who provide monthly volunteers at St. John’s Hall Michael H. Lipson and Canal Street Veterans Housing, plus twice weekly volunteers at the COTS family Marc H. Monheimer Michael New shelters. COTS also has partnered with the University of Vermont on an ongoing early Shelley Richardson education initiative to provide training for students in COTS’ family shelters, as well as provide latest tutoring and educational support for children staying with us. Rita Markley, Executive Director For children in shelter, we also connect with their schools to ensure transportation A United Way and communication issues are handled with dignity, effectively and efficiently. Member Agency We actively work with partners to enroll children in after-school programs with community partners. We also work with partners to provide enrichment activities and additional academic and athletic opportunities. Editor Becky Holt We refer generous in-kind donors and those we serve to community partners with expertise in collection and distribution of household items, furniture and clothing Writers – from ReSOURCE, to JUMP (Joint Urban Ministry Project), to Ohavi Zedek Gillian Taylor Casey Therrien Synagogue’s Shalom Shuk, to many, many more. Betsy Ward For food service, we serve only a noontime meal at the Daystation because the Designer Chittenden Emergency Food Shelf and Salvation Army offer breakfast and dinners. And, Lisa Cadieux, Liquid Studio we partner with the Food Shelf and Food Bank for support of our noontime meal, as well. FOLLOW US ONLINE Beyond social service partnerships, we look for partnerships with business and the broader community. COTS works with multiple organizations and utilities on www.cotsonline.org energy audits and energy-efficiency improvements at our programs, including VEIC, www.facebook.com/COTSonline Vermont Gas and the Burlington Electric Department. @COTSvt Pinterest.com/cotsvt continued page 8 2 COTS HOMEFRONT FALL 2013 www.cotsonline.org year in review 2013 Revenue $3,307,403 by the numbers 2013 Individuals & Businesses: 34% ($1,113,232) shelters Federal Grants: 22% ($736,743) Family Shelters: 74 families, including 108 Foundations: 13% ($425,645) Rental Income: 10% ($351,831) children, stayed in a COTS family shelter. We have State Grants: 6% ($189,657) the capacity to serve 15 families each night. Veterans Administration: 7% ($222,035) Single Adult Overnight Shelters: 266 United Way: 4% ($126,340) individuals stayed at the COTS Waystation. We Other: 4% ($141,920) have 36 emergency beds each night. Single Adult Daytime Shelter: 987 individuals used the Daystation, the only daytime shelter for adults who are homeless in Chittenden County. With the help of volunteers, a noontime meal was served every day of the year. REHOUSING & SUPPORT SERVICES COTS Family Services: 161 families, including those staying in emergency shelter and in the community, received outreach and support from COTS staff. COTS Adult Services: 239 single adults, who are homeless, received outreach and support from COTS staff. PREVENTION SUPPORT Rental & Mortgage Arrearage: 198 low- income households, including 161 children, who were experiencing financial crisis averted homelessness and stayed in their home through the COTS Housing Resource Center. Security Deposit Grants & Loans: 292 households, including 282 children, moved to stable housing through security deposit assistance and support administered by the COTS Housing Resource Center. HOUSING Transitional Housing: 25 units are provided by COTS at the Smith House and at Canal Street Veterans Housing. Adult Shelters: 16% ($533,123) Permanent Housing: 56 units are offered by Prevention Services: 12% ($384,302) COTS at The Wilson, St. John’s Hall, and at Canal Public Education: 2% ($56,223) Street Veterans Housing (with Housing Vermont). Family Shelters: 24% ($789,007) Administration: 7% ($239,751) Development: 11% ($381,290) Housing Facilities: 14% ($469,678) Rehousing & Support Services: 14% ($454,029) Expenses $3,307,403 *These are pre-audited numbers for COTS FY13 (Oct. 1, 2011-Sept. 30, 2012). www.cotsonline.org COTS HOMEFRONT FALL 2013 3 More than 1,500 walkers took the 3-mile trek around Burlington on May 6 for the 23rd annual COTS Walk. Walkers helped raise more than $150,000 in support of COTS services and shelters. The walk would not be possible without Generous in-kind supporters: the generous support of our sponsors: American Flatbread; Bella Boutique; Boloco;