Good Morning! It is a pleasure to have you join us here at Coalition On Temporary Shelter, better known as COTS. Our organization has been a part of the Midtown community in Detroit since 1981 and our services have evolved and our reach has been broad. Today I will share with you how COTS began, the needs we meet, who we serve and how you may help. I will also offer an opportunity for any questions you may have.
COTS was established as just what its acronym states – a coalition of people who were dedicated to providing temporary shelter for people in need. This coalition of people operated within St. Michael’s church for a year and a half before registering as a Michigan non-profit …show more content…
The emergency shelter has an average of 110 children per night. The cost to shelter a family is approximately $55 per day.
COTS operates with the help of more than 80 employees and 100 volunteers. Volunteers perform duties such as helping staff in childcare, preparing and serving meals, housekeeping of facilities, service during fundraising events, small maintenance projects, assistance with direct mail and even reading stories to the resident children. The manners to help are endless!
COTS has an operating budget of $8 Million annually and is a public organization. Its operating income comes from Federal and state grants, private foundations, and the generosity of everyday people who want to donate to serve a need.
I am grateful to have had the opportunity to share more about COTS with you today. I encourage you to get involved. We have friends from all around the world that have supported us by way of social advocacy, volunteerism and donation We encourage you to discover how you may get involved! At this time I’d like to open the floor up for questions that you may have. Thank you for your stopping