The Committee on Temporary Shelter (COTS) is celebrating its 25th anniversary.
The Burlington non-profit organization provides emergency shelter, services, and housing for people who are homeless; and also advocates for long-term solutions to end homelessness.
COTS started in 1982 with the Waystation project: an overnight shelter to help homeless through the cold winter. The organization's founders planned to run the program only until spring, but steady demand for services, combined with cuts in federal spending on housing and rental assistance, led them to continue and expand their mission.
Today, COTS operates a number of programs and shelters, serving several hundred Vermonters a year.
Dudley Davis, Cindy Hoehl, and George Little were honored as community donors at a 25th anniversary dinner held last week. View photos from the event.
Read more about COTS's history: "The Story of COTS: 25 Years of Courage, Compassion & Community."