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 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 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 on an ongoing early Shelley Richardson 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

 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  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; Business Communication Services; Creative Community Sponsors: Habitat; ContraFlux Studio; ECHO at the Duncan*Wisniewski Leahy Center; Essex Cinemas; Flynn Center; Pomerleau Real Estate Green Mountain Chorus; Hannaford Brothers Wright & Morrissey Co.; IHOP; Kelley Office Systems; NPI; PP&D Distribution Service; Revision Military; Media Sponsors: University of Vermont; Vermont Coffee Free Press Media Co.; ; Vermont Pure Star 92.9/ Planet 96.7 Springs; Vermont Teddy Bear Factory; Vermont Route Sponsors: Wireless; WB Mason Businesses: Champlain Investment Partners; Darn Tough 30 for 30 COTS Walk Promotion: Gardener’s Supply Co.; Gravel & Shea; Dealer.com Thanks to all the businesses that made in-kind HUBER + SUHNER; Logic Supply; Paul Frank + HUBER + SUHNER donations to our “30 for 30” COTS Walk Collins PC; Primmer Piper Eggleston & Cramer; The Lodge at Otter Creek & The Lodge at Promotion. Special thanks to Planet 96.7 for REMN; Sen. Patrick Leahy’s Office Shelburne Bay promoting the 30-day contest on the radio. MyWebGrocer Community: Brody & The Sisters (Lindsay Stephen & Burns Challenge Walkers Sanderson, Melanie Levitt, and Kelsea Peace); Eric & Faith: 30th Anniversary; Nicole & Mike; Site sponsors: Individuals: Scot Barker; Kathy Cousino; Zoe, Julia, Mary, Bella Ben & Jerry’s Homemade Inc. Denise Danyow; Bob Duncan; Joyce Hagan; Blue Cross Blue Shield Judy Hamel; Sydney Holt Barker; Jack Faith: Cathedral Church of St. Paul; College Casella Waste Management Kearnan; Rolf Kielman; Rita Markley; Nan Street Congregational Church, UCC; First City Market Mason; Lucy Samara; Stacey Sheehan; Congregational Church of Burlington; First Efficiency Vermont Nicole Stefanowicz; Lisa Stever; Jennifer Unitarian Universalist Society of Burlington; Logic Supply Swint; Father Richard Tinney First United Methodist Church; Ohavi Zedek Parlato Productions Synagogue; St. James Episcopal Church; Northwestern Vermont Board of Realtors St. Pius X; The Parish of Holy Family & St. Vermont Tent Co. Lawrence; Trinity Episcopal Church

T-Shirt Sponsors: Schools: Burlington High School National Dinse, Knapp & McAndrew, P.C.; Fletcher Honor Society; Essex High School Red Cross; Allen Healthcare; Gardener’s Supply Co.; Malletts Bay School: Girls on the Run Vermont; Northeast Delta Dental; Redstone; Starbucks; Mount Mansfield Union High School National The Dixie Six; The Willoughbys; Vermont Honor Society; Rice Memorial High School Energy Investment Corp.; Queen City Many thanks to our community Printers, Inc. volunteers, team captains and walkers!

 COTS HOMEFRONT FALL 2013 www.cotsonline.org Programs focus on solutions

COTS programs are bustling with innovative ideas to improve services. Among them is “Happy Feet,” a collaborative project involving Waystation guests and University of Vermont medical students. Each Wednesday this fall, medical students examined guests’ feet and gave referrals to medical From left: Brenda Torpy of Champlain Housing Trust, Angus Chaney professionals. In exchange for of the Agency of Human Services, Rita Markley of COTS, Catherine participating, guests received: Simonson of the HowardCenter, with Beth Goss, also of Howard, a foot exam and referrals to and Julia Paradiso of COTS. medical professionals; nail clippers and a nail file; healthy Family Supportive Housing snacks; new socks; and a chance The Family Supportive Housing program is an exciting new to win a $40 gift certificate to collaboration between COTS, HowardCenter, Champlain Payless Shoe Store. Daystation Housing Trust, and the Agency of Human Services. This AmeriCorps Jenni Demont also COTS hosted a flagpole and innovative model aims to move families who are homeless into offered haircuts to participants plaque dedication ceremony at housing. Champlain Housing Trust has generously made five as an extra bonus! Canal Street Veterans Housing housing units available at a reduced rate. Participants in the in June. The facility, which program will pay a program fee that will be matched 2-to-1 by In June, COTS hosted a provides transitional housing for COTS through its innovative “Pay it Forward” program. The flagpole and plaque dedication formerly homeless veterans as money accumulated will subsidize one-half of housing costs ceremony at Canal Street well as permanent affordable in the second year of the program. By the third year, families Veterans Housing to celebrate housing, is a partnership with will have the opportunity to transition into place, assuming the success of the program, Housing Vermont. full responsibility for the housing rental costs. Families will nearing its third year. Since work on goals in collaboration with a HowardCenter Family opening in 2011, 29 veterans have successfully completed the Supportive Housing clinician in their home. The clinician will transitional program and moved into permanent housing. offer clinical and life-skills assistance to each household.

Other program updates: Children’s Education Advocate The Opportunity Fund & COTS has a new position, a Children’s Education Advocate, Prevention Services that links children staying in family shelter with quality Our newly created Opportunity Fund & Prevention Services and affordable early educational programs, after-school, provides financial assistance and services to stabilize working and vacation/summer camp enrichment opportunities. In families and individuals who are at high risk of becoming the past, dedicated AmeriCorps members have worked to homeless. While the stock market shows signs of recovery, coordinate enrichment opportunities for children in shelter. many working Vermonters are still treading water. Through This new position builds on their efforts. The Children’s the Opportunity program, working low- and lower-middle Education Advocate provides direct support to parents income families and individuals receive short-term, flexible staying in shelter by assisting them in finding and applying funding, and accompanying services, to stabilize for the long for appropriate and affordable child care or after-school care. term and avoid homelessness. This initiative enables COTS to This allows parents the time to search for housing and be pay a portion of the household’s rent directly to the landlord, available to work; it also means that children can continue effectively reduce the household’s rental expenses by up to 25 their involvement in the early learning programs after their percent for 12 months and decrease financial pressure during families leave shelter. Our children’s program specifically a period of instability. This program also allow COTS staff to opens doors to education by helping with kindergarten provide key supporting services to the households, helping readiness, working with parents and schools to ensure them create sustainable budgets, maintain credit, and linking proper supports are in place, introducing children to the them with financial literacy programs. possibility of college through field trips to local campuses, and connecting them with tutoring and the arts.

www.cotsonline.org COTS HOMEFRONT FALL 2013  Jamie Bright, a local singer-songwriter based in Burlington, raised It takes a village… $320 for COTS during his fundraising campaign to complete his COTS absolutely could not do the work it does without upcoming Silent Mind album. the generous support of our community. Students from Burlington High School’s Year End Studies (YES) Crosswalk: A Fashion Show Styled by Sound, presented raised nearly $300 through a community bake sale and collected by Amy Wild, Matt Rodgers, and Nick Mayodones, benefited many personal care items from the COTS wish list. We are so COTS this summer. Barbacoa provided a live soundtrack for grateful to these thoughtful and engaged students who are helping Vermont independent designers as their models walked the our community! Special thanks to the teachers, staff, and businesses runway at Main Street Landing. The Mast and Wake Island (Bibens Ace Hardware in Burlington, Mirabelles Cafe, Price Chopper, provided the soundtrack for the after party. Brought to you by and August First) who supported the students’ efforts. MSR Presents, Angioplasty Media, and Where Clothes, and Students from University of Vermont College of Medicine did sponsors Lagunitas Brewing Co, The Skinny Pancake, Fluid Bar a deep cleaning in COTS family shelters, including the kids’ rooms, Service, and Indigo Salon. kitchens, and Main Street garden. CLUB AFECT (Advocates for Exceptional Children Today) received a 2013 United Way Building Block Award for their work in COTS Family Shelters. Formed by University of Vermont Senior, Shelby Sprung, this club gives volunteers – many who have early education and special education backgrounds – the opportunity to provide programming and childcare to children who are staying in a COTS Family Shelter.

Carly Doyle has been a dedicated family shelter playroom and child-care volunteer and was recognized with a United Way Hometown Hero Award. Throughout the school year, Carly has volunteered as a member of UVM’s Club AFECT and has continued to volunteer on an individual basis. Bill Talentino of Burlington has been an incredible volunteer in his 2½ years with COTS. We are so grateful to Bill for all he does for COTS, and we’re very proud of his United Way Volunteer of the Week status. He’s always helping with a smile on his face and Lenny’s Shoe & Apparel, in conjunction with Darn Tough and a great sense of humor. Smartwool, donated hundreds of new socks to COTS shelters as well as the proceeds from their Annual Charity Sock Sale. The HowardCenter Autism Spectrum Program Staff painted result? More than $800 for services and support and many warm, The Wilson and The Waystation as part of a Martin Luther King Jr. dry feet. day of service. Gotta Have Sole Foundation, Inc. provided 52 pairs of new Zutano and Kids in Distressed Situations donated 51pairs shoes for children in the family shelters. shoes for our young kids in family shelter. Sisters Mary Pollard and Kim Borsavage continue to Gardener’s Supply Co. helped beautify shelter this summer. They provide a weekly meal at our Daystation. donated tomatoes and other plants to our Daystation and Family Shelter gardens and helped plant them. They also served lunch at the Daystation. Mark and Melissa Pasanen provided dinner for Firehouse Their generosity and thoughtfulness means so much to us and really Family Shelter’s house meeting — chicken kebobs, noodle salad, goes far in brightening the spaces where we serve our clients. and veggies. Melissa’s continued commitment to serving balanced and nutritious meals to our guests is a huge benefit to COTS.

Jessica Wagner and local homeschoolers hosted their 14th Annual Homeschooler Bake Sale for COTS at the Fletcher Free Library. The bake sale brought in more than $300, and they donated all the remaining baked goodies to families at our Main Street and Firehouse Family Shelters. Blue Star Mothers of Vermont, Staff Sergeant Chad Clark, Junior Vice Commander for VFW Post 6689 in Essex and Courtney Reckell helped organize a motorcycle ride to collect canned/dry goods, new pillows and linens, and kitchenware for Canal Street Veterans Housing.

 COTS HOMEFRONT FALL 2013 www.cotsonline.org Campaign for Vermont volunteers deep cleaned Main Street Family Shelter. Green Mountain Derby Dames featured COTS as a nonprofit to benefit in their 50/50 raffle. All together they raised nearly $200 for COTS.

Ken and Julie Cartularo, owners of Buono Appetito in Shelburne, and their son, Executive Chef Sevie Cartularo, donated a main course meal for clients at the Daystation. Deborah Schapiro dropped off the meal and made brownies. Saint Michael’s College staff and faculty painted rooms in the Main Street Family Shelter. Maintaining a dignified and bright space for families in shelter is very important. Kevin McCarthy, president and CEO of PC Construction, with Rita Students from South Burlington High School’s “Big Picture Markley Program” helped make signs for our COTS Walk. Heaven on Wheels Car Show, presented by McCaffrey’s Sunoco PC Construction awarded COTS a generous grant of $5,500 & Waggy’s Store & Deli and Community Bible Church, in their 55th anniversary online voting contest – with the voting raised money for COTS and homeless prevention, shelter, and power of COTS supporters, we were one of five organizations that housing services. We can’t wait to see more great cars next year. won the grant. Burlington Elks Lodge awarded a $2,000 grant to COTS to Champlain College’s Center for Service and Civic help fund capital needs at Canal Street Veterans Housing. Engagement partnered with COTS to screen three films in the month of September about the impacts of poverty, hunger, Lydia Hill organized local yoga studios, including Burlington and homelessness in our country. The films included “Inocente,” Yoga, Evolution Yoga, Honest Yoga, Iyengar Yoga “Frontline’s Poor Kids,” and “A Place at the Table.” Center of Vermont, Laughing River Yoga, South End Studio and Yoga Roots, to donate a portion of the proceeds Peregrine Design Build collected items off of our wish list, from their yoga classes to benefit COTS. They raised over $640 including new warm bedding and cookware. These supplies are for the COTS Daystation. a huge help to folks moving from shelter into permanent housing.

Northfield Savings Bank awarded COTS with a generous Students from Mater Christi School prepared and dropped off grant towards our family shelters and children’s programming. This sandwiches for clients at the Daystation and stuffed goodie bags grant helped us to provide children living in shelter with educational for runners at our administrative offices for the Deal Chicken 5K. and enrichment opportunities ranging from field trips to tutoring to Jenni Demont has been cutting hair as a regular volunteer summer camps. at the Daystation 10 a.m.–noon every other Wednesday since Vermont Lake Monsters hosted COTS Friends & Family Night February and officially joined the COTS team this September as in July. All tickets bought with the COTS code for that game went to the VHCB AmeriCorps Peer Support Staff at the Daystation. benefit COTS. Instructor Alison Cleary assigned University of Vermont The First United Methodist Church’s youth group painted Strategic Writing students to interview COTS case workers the Daystation entrance ramp a lovely brick red. and specialists to help create materials to tell the stories of who works at COTS and what programs we offer in the community. Citizens Bank sponsored another wonderful backpack drive, The materials developed are helping us educate the community on “Gear for Grades” that outfits all of our children with backpacks all the services we offer. and supplies for school each year. Shelburne Vineyard donated 10% of their proceeds from SarahGene Kenyon and her youth group, R.O.C.K., from their July 6 concert to COTS during their First Thursdays Summer the South Royalton Journey Church, gave our families at the Music Series. Firehouse Family Shelter a “chore-free night.” The volunteers did all of the evening chores and fixed dinner for the five families As part of its 90/10 series, Burlington Ensemble donated living in the shelter. 90% of its concert proceeds to partnering nonprofit organizations over six concerts last season. Longtime volunteer Howard Longway coordinated the arrival of Hero Packs for the children of veterans living at Canal Street Mitzi Johnson donated many baby supplies, including laundry Veterans Housing. detergent, baby wash, baby lotion, and pacifiers, for use in COTS Family Shelters. The Church Street Marketplace’s “Pachinko ,” spare change game has collected more than $2,000. A little here and Wendy Daniels donated several pairs of sweatpants for the there makes a BIG difference when everyone chips in. folks at the Waystation.

www.cotsonline.org COTS HOMEFRONT FALL 2013  It takes a village… St. Joseph’s Home donated toiletries and sugar packets in addition to a cash donation. Anna Arsovski donated new bath towels, hand towels, and ECHO at the Leahy Center donated 48 $2 admission vouchers wash cloths. for children and their families staying at COTS. It makes a huge Bruce and Theresa Barrows donated four large bags of difference to have these types of vouchers on hand for fun and brand-new socks. affordable family outings. Vincent Koehler donated 50 bars of soap. Travis Beebe-Woodard donated many sets of dinner plates, bowls, and utensils for our programs. Having kitchen supplies on Patricia LaMothe donated two bed ensemble sets with hand for our shelters, and also for families who are moving from one matching sheet sets of our programs into permanent affordable housing, is so important. Mirabelle’s Café continues to donate a cake each month to Champlain College’s Office of Residence Life donated children who are having their birthday in shelter. 14 new pillows to COTS, allowing us to offer new pillows when Amy Laskarzewski donated three boxes of personal care clients come into one of our shelters for the first time. items, household items, and toiletries. The Lily Family donated towels for clients in shelter. Ann Livingston donated boxes of quart-sized sandwich bags. Keira and Riley Botjer donated toiletries and coloring books Claussen’s Florist and Greenhouse donated a flat of for families. pansies for the garden at Canal Street Veterans Housing. St Francis Xavier School held a large toiletry drive for our Girl Scout Troop 30262 donated many boxes of cookies for shelters; these types of personal care items are important to have our guests. on hand for the guests we serve at COTS. Girl Scout Troop 30846 at IAA donated Valentine’s Day Timberlane Dental Group donated toothpaste and floss for cards and candy for children in shelters. clients. Craig Collins donated three 31-day bus passes for our staff to Pamela Loggins donated socks; warm, dry socks can have a distribute as needed. Transportation can be a huge barrier for huge impact on a person’s overall wellness. the folks that we serve at COTS. Peregrine Design donated a box of Fire King Cookware, Betty and Marvin Libson donated one case of matzoh for frying pans, sets of full sheets, and towels. Daystation lunches. Peter Nobes and Lisa Simon donated 30 ponchos for guests TJ Maclay donated two large hiking backpacks – having a at the Waystation and Daystation. backpack that is big enough to carry personal belongings is United Church of Hinesburg donated towels and soap in invaluable for the folks that we serve at our Daystation. addition to a cash donation. Bolton Valley donated two one-day tickets worth $128 in Special Olympics of Vermont donated a crate of individually honor of our 30th Anniversary Gala. These made a great prize wrapped soaps. for one lucky pair and helped to incentivize early registration for the event. Sodexo at UVM donated four large cases of toiletries for clients.

Community collaboration...continued from page 2 And, we’ve worked to develop for-profit/nonprofit partnerships to the benefit Volunteers needed for Phonathon of both. Through this, “Cookies for Good” was launched as a partnership The COTS annual Phonathon starts Dec. 2. between Cabot, Sugarsnap and COTS that creates a renewable funding source Volunteers call COTS supporters to thank (35 cents of each $1 cookie sold at Sugarsnap is donated to COTS). It’s like a them for their past donations and ask them to “strategic bake sale every day.” consider a gift again this year.

We are a United Way Member Agency and a member of the Chittenden If you would like to volunteer, as a caller or County Continuum of Care, too. in the mailroom, call Gillian at (802) 540- 3084, Ext. 207, or email her at gilliant@ This is just a snapshot of partnerships COTS believes are valuable and cotsonline.org. We need 50 volunteers, 5:30- necessary to provide a vital safety net for our neighbors in need. We are 9 p.m. Dec. 2-5. Daytime and evening hours grateful to be part of such a caring and collaborative community. Learn more available Dec. 9-10. Thank you for your help. about our work with our partners by visiting our Web site: www.cotsonline.org

 COTS HOMEFRONT FALL 2013 www.cotsonline.org Thank you! These generous businesses and organizations provided in-kind and financial support during COTS’ fiscal year (Oct. 1, 2012-Sept. 30, 2013). In addition to the names here, hundreds of individuals and foundations have made financial and/or in-kind gifts in support of COTS programs and services this year. Please note that many businesses supported the 30th Anniversary Gala; these supporters are listed on Page 12.

A Single Pebble Restaurant Burlington Insurance Agency Dinse, Knapp & McAndrew, PC A wEarth It, Inc. Co Burlington Police Department Disabled American Veterans, Chapter 5 A. C. Hathorne Business Communication Services, Inc. Discovery Map A. D. Lawton School Business Resource Services Dok Wright Photography/ContraFlux Studio Action Moving and Storage Cady’s Falls Nursery Dr. Juliann M. Moenter, DVM Adventures In Early Learning Canusa Hershman Recycling, LLC Duck Shots Al’s French Frys Carter’s Duncan*Wisniewski Architecture Allen Brook Elementary School Catamount North Dunkin’ Donuts America’s Gardening Resource Inc. Cedar Ledge Builders, Inc. East Brookfield Congregational Church American Flatbread Chakra-5-Records, LLC ECHO at the Leahy Center Ameriprise Financial Annual Giving Chamberlin Elementary School Edmunds Elementary School Campaign Champlain Cable Corp. Employee Community Action Council of Apple Mountain Vermont Gifts & Speciality Champlain College General Dynamics Foods Champlain Consulting Engineers Engineering Ventures Artisan Engineering, PC Champlain Investment Partners Enviro Tech of VT Septic Services, LLC Artworks Alley LLC Champlain Title Company of VT, LLC Essential Salon Products, Inc. Ashgate Publishing Co. Champlain Woodcraft Essex Center United Methodist Church Bailey Howe Library Charlotte-Shelburne Rotary Club Women Barnes & Noble Booksellers Chef’s Corner Cafe Bakery Essex Cinemas Bauer, Gravel & Farnham Chelsea Green Publishing Essex Junction VFW 6689 Beauty in The Works Citizen’s Bank Essex High School Beeken Parsons City of South Burlington Essex Resort And Spa Bella Boutique Burlington Clark’s Truck Center Essex Town Elementary School Ben & Jerry’s Hospitality Department Clarke, Demas & Baker, LLC Evolution Physical Therapy And Yoga Studio Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Claussen’s Enterprise, Inc. Expressions Bessemer Trust Coldwell Banker Hickok & Boardman Realty F.O.E. Champlain Aerie No. 793 Bio-Medic Appliances, Inc. Conant Metal & Light F.R. Lafayette, Inc. Blodgett, Watts, Volk & Sussman, PC Coombs & Davis, LLP Fairpoint Communications Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Vermont Copy Ship Fax Plus Faith United Methodist Church Blue Star Mothers Costco Wholesale #314 Fancy Nails Boloco Creative Habitat Fanny Allen Corporation, Inc. Bond Auto Parts Crossfit Threshold Training Farrell Real Estate Co. Booska Movers Crowley Insurance Agency Farrington Transport Boucher & Pritchard Funeral Directors CS Business and Property Management, LLC Feldman’s Bagels Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation Cummings Electric, PC Fiddlers Green Inn Bruegger’s Enterprises, Inc. Cx Associates, LLC First Baptist Church, Inc. Burlington Bay Market and Cafe D. Richard Automotive First Congregational Church of Essex Junction Burlington Education Association Danforth Pewter First Congregational Church of Fair Haven Burlington Elks Lodge #916 Daughters of Isabella, Madonna Circle First Unitarian Universalist Society Burlington Ensemble Dealer.com Fitzgerald Veterinary Hospital Burlington Free Press Dee Physical Therapy Fletcher Allen Health Care Burlington Furniture Department of VT – American Legion Auxiliary Flooring America Burlington High School DGH Enterprises, LLC Food Science of Vermont

www.cotsonline.org COTS HOMEFRONT FALL 2013  Forest Park Realty Corp. Johnson Lambert LLP Northfield Savings Bank Four Seasons Dermatology Kelley Office Systems Northwestern Vermont Board of Realtors Frank Carruth, Inc. Ken’s Auto Repair Occupational Health Logic Fraternal Order of Eagles KeyBank Old Brick Store Freeman French Freeman, Inc. KeyBank National Association Oleet & Co., LLC Furchgott & Sourdiffe, Inc. Kids City Pajama Program G W Tatro Construction, Inc. Kitchen World Inc. Panera Bread Café Gadue’s Dry Cleaning, Inc. Knights Of Columbus Papa John’s Gallagher, Flynn & Company, LLP Krebs & Lansing Consulting Engineers, Inc. Paul Frank + Collins, PC Gardener’s Supply Co. L N Consulting, Inc. Paw Print & Mail GE Foundation L. K. Rossi Corporation Payson Carpentry, Inc. General Dynamics Chocolates P.C. Construction Girl Scout Troop 30846 at IAA Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Peak Veterinary Referral Center Commerce GM Floor Covering Penny Cluse Cafe Larkin Realty GOF Ltd. People’s United Bank Laughing River Yoga Grace United Methodist Church Peregrine Peregrine Law Offices Of Jason R. Tiballi, PC Gravel & Shea Petropreneur, LLC Lawrence Ribbecke Studios Greater Horizons Pingry Corp. Leigh Keyser Phillips Greek Orthodox Philoptochos Pinto MacAskill PLLC Leonardo’s Pizza Green Mountain Chorus PJSC, LLC Leunig’s Bistro Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Place Masonry Corp. Lewis Excavating LLC Green Mountain Harley-Davidson Placemat Lady Logic Supply, Inc. Green Mountain Power Corp. Pleasant Valley Real Estate & Consulting Group Long River Pearls Pomerleau Properties, Inc. Green Mountain Steppers, Inc. Manufacturing Solutions, Inc. PP&D Distribution Service Hackett, Valine & MacDonald, Inc. Insurance Mark Yorra, M.D. & Catherine Gates C.N.M Price Chopper Foods Hallam Associates, Inc. Mater Christi School Primmer Piper Eggleston & Cramer Hannaford Supermarkets Mayer Brown LLP Psych NP Hardy Structural Engineering McCaffrey’s Sunoco Public Contributions Harrington Properties Merchants Bank PuroClean Healthy Living Natural Foods Market MGN Family Foundation Quiznos Heavenly Cents Thrift Shop Microsoft Matching Gifts Program R.E.M. Development Company, LLC Hemenway & Barnes LLP Mimmo’s Pizzeria and Restaurant Rally Sport Northeast, Inc. Her Look Enterprises, LLC Missisquoi Valley Union High School Ready Funeral Service, Inc. Home Instead Senior Care Mobile Giving Foundation Real Estate Mortgage Network, Inc. Honest Yoga, LLC Montgomery & Merrill, PC Red House, Inc. Housing Vermont Montstream Studio Redstone Commercial Group Howard Plant VFW Post 782 Moose Lodge 1618 Religious Hospitallers of Saint Joseph of HUBER+SUHNER, Inc. Morgan Stanley Annual Appeal Campaign Delaware, Inc. IBEW Local 300 MSR Presents, LLC Renaissance Development Co. IBM Retiree Charitable Campaign Mount Mansfield Union High School Resource Systems Group, Inc. IBM-Computershare Murphy Sullivan Kronk Revision Military Independent Block Mylan Technologies, Inc. Road Res-Q Instrumart MyWebGrocer J & L Hardware, Inc. Network Performance, Inc. Rose Computer Technology Services, Inc. J&B International Trucks, Inc. Federal Credit Union Sabra Field, Inc. J. A. Morrissey, Inc. New England Housewrights, Ltd. Saint Michael’s College J. M. Forbes & Co., LLP New Haven United Reform Church Saint Michael’s College - MOVE Office Janitech Nick & Morrissey Development, LLC Santa Night Jericho United Methodist Church North Country Mechanical Insulators, Inc. Sargent & McKinney Advertising Jericho-Underhill Ecumenical Ministries North Star Leasing SecurShred, Inc. Johnson & Perkinson Northeast Delta Dental Selection Unlimited

10 COTS HOMEFRONT FALL 2013 www.cotsonline.org Selectronics Corporation Town of Essex Seventh Generation Town of Hinesburg Gifts...continued from page 1 Shelburne Bay Senior Living Community Town of Jericho Shelburne Supermarket, Inc. Town of Shelburne Share Cookies for Good Sugarsnap’s delicious “Cookies for Shelburne Trinity Episcopal Church Town of Underhill Good” is a “bake sale every day” for Shelburne United Methodist Church Town of Williston COTS: 35 cents from each $1 cookie Sisters of Mercy Training, Marketing & Technology, Inc. sold goes to COTS. Serve SMC Edmundite Community Triple Loop Costumes the cookies at your Sodexo, Inc. & Affliliates Underhill Central School holiday party, SOS, Inc. Unilever Foundation, Inc. business lunch South Burlington Senior Lunch Program United Church Of Colchester or send to a friend, co-worker South End Studio, LLC United Church Of Hinesburg or customer. A Special Olympics United Way of Greater Waterbury variety of flavors St. Croix Valley Foundation University Mall of the locally sourced St. Francis Xavier School US Senate Federal Credit Union treats are available. To order, visit St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church University of Vermont Athletic Department www.cookiesforgood.org, call St. Catherine of Siena Church VABIR (802) 861-2951 or email catering@ St. John Vianney Church Verilux, Inc. thesnapvt.com. St. Joseph’s Home Verizon Wireless Carry a COTS Flashbag St. Lawrence Church Vermont Association of Realtors, Inc. The Flashbags feature doorknobs from St. Pius X Church Vermont Coffee Co. the Main Street Family Shelter. To Starbucks Vermont Community Foundation order tote bags (available in 2 sizes), Steel Traders Shipping Ltd. Vermont DAR, Seth Warner Chapter placemats or wallets, call (802) 864- Stephen & Burns Salon & Spa Vermont Energy Investment Corp. 7402 or email [email protected]. Sterling Construction, Inc. Vermont Federal Credit Union For orders placed through COTS, we receive 50 percent of each sale. Stone Underground Construction Vermont Gas Systems, Inc. Stowe Community Church Vermont Lake Monsters Stowe Mountain Resort Vermont Mutual Insurance Co. Subway Vermont National Country Club Sugarsnap Vermont Pure Springs Summit / Catamount Construction, LLC Vermont Strong, Inc. Sweeney Design Build Vermont Teddy Bear Factory Taft Farm Senior Living Vermont Veterinary Internal Medicine PC The Gay & Lesbian Fund Of Vermont, Inc. Vermont Zen Center The Law Offices of F.J. von Turkovich, PC VHB, Inc. Music to your ears The Bay Corporation Vietnam Veterans of America, Chittenden “Harmonies for Humanity, Vol. 1: County Chapter 829 The Eldoes Musicians raising money for COTS” VLPA The Essex Agency, Inc. features Vermont musicians in a CD Waterbury Hardware The Farm House Tap & Grill created to benefit COTS. The $10 CDs WB Mason are available at our main office, 95 The First Congregational Church of Burlington Wellspring Learning, Inc. North Ave., Burlington. The Mervyn L. Brenner Foundation, Inc. Westphalen Photography, Inc. The Optical Center White & Burke Real Estate Investment The Park Place Management Co. Advisors, Inc. The Windjammer Restaurant Wieman – Lamphere Architects, Inc. Thornton Investment Management PLLC Women’s Fellowship Three Tomatoes X-Rays Barber Shop Timberlane Dental Group YMCA Preschool and Kindergarten Tiny Thai Yoga Roots LLC TLOC Senior Living, LLC DBA The Lodge at Zinnia, Inc. Otter Creek Town & Country Appraisal Services Town of Charlotte

www.cotsonline.org COTS HOMEFRONT FALL 2013 11 Committee on Non-Profit Org. Temporary Shelter U.S. Postage PAID PO Box 1616 Permit No. 896 Burlington, VT 05402-1616 Burlington, VT 802-864-7402 www.cotsonline.org

Mark your calendar Find details on all events at www.cotsonline.org

Phonathon December 2-5, December 9-10

The Coolest Lunch December 12

Candlelight Vigil December 19

COTS Walk May 4, 2014

Chris Bohjalian 30th Anniversary Gala (left), Rita Markley, and Stephen Thank you so much to everyone who made the COTS 30th Kiernan at the Anniversary Gala a success. Authors Chris Bohjalian and Gala. Authors Stephen P. Kiernan were amazing co-hosts for the event in Chris and Stephen March – inspiring and charming. The evening focused on the were honorary future, as COTS looks toward ending homelessness through event co-chairs early and effective intervention and prevention. and the evening Thanks to Presenting Sponsor REMN and Emerald Sponsors emcees. Citizens Bank, KeyBank and National Life Group. Thanks to our Table Sponsors: Champlain Investment Partners, Fanny Allen Corp., Fletcher Allen Health Care, Lake C. McManus, Nina Mazuzan, and Steve Mease Photography. Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce, L.N. Consulting, A special thanks, too, to our auctioneer Pat Thornton, and live The Lodge at Otter Creek & The Lodge at Shelburne Bay, and auction donors, including Eric Warnsed of Hen of the Wood; Saint Michael’s College. Tim Halvorson of E.B. Strong’s Prime Steakhouse; LPGA golfer Thanks to Vermont Trophy & Engraving (who provided Libby Smith; Mark Bonfigli of Dealer.com; Grace Potter & the the beautifully engraved 30th Anniversary COTS mason Nocturnals; and especially Chris Bohjalian!!! jar mugs), Farrell Distributing (who donated wine for the Our 30th Anniversary Planning committee: Lesli Blount, evening), and the Burlington Hilton. Brigitte Ritchie, James Avery, Scot Barker, Andrew Coulter, We would also like to thank: ContraFlux Studio, Chappell’s Allison Gardner, Maree Gaetani, Becky Holt, Ellen Kane, Florist, Gardener’s Supply Co., Julia Melloni, Lake Champlain Nicole LaBrecque, Megan Palchak, Michael Stefanowicz, Nicole Chocolates, Saint Michael’s College students, Mattison + Jill Stefanowicz, Gillian Taylor and Sara Wool.