The Heart of COTS – Stories of Transformation
Meet Amber, whose inspiring journey with COTS highlights the organization’s profound impact. After losing her grandmother’s house, Amber and her family went to stay in a hotel for what they thought would be a few months. Those months turned into three challenging years. Despite the emotional toll, Amber persevered, with COTS’ support and community. Today, Amber is a proud homeowner.
Stories like Amber’s with unforeseen events are not uncommon at COTS. For over 40 years, the organization has been a beacon of hope for countless families facing homelessness. COTS creates opportunities for families to collaborate, thrive, and succeed in building strong and stable households, neighborhoods, and communities.
COTS Programs and Services
COTS offers programs designed to address the multifaceted needs of families experiencing homelessness. Their flagship is the Passport to Self-Sufficiency™ (PTS) framework, which focuses on five key areas: housing and family stability, financial well-being, health and well-being, education and training, and career development. Through personalized plans and continuous support, families can work towards long-term stability.
What makes PTS unique is Mobility Mentoring®, a research-backed economic mobility coaching approach. Mobility Mentoring® empowers low-income families through a participant-centered, holistic, trauma-informed, and culturally competent approach. Mobility Coaches work with families to set and achieve goals, providing counsel and support every step of the way. This personalized coaching model empowers individuals to take charge of their lives and make meaningful progress, breaking the cycle of poverty for future generations.
COTS also provides Supportive Housing, ensuring families have a safe and stable place to call home. This service, combined with access to childcare, meal assistance, and educational programs, creates a nurturing environment where families can thrive.
Community and Corporate Partnerships
Partnerships are key to COTS’ success. Through collaborations with community and corporate partners, COTS can assist families in reaching their goals. These partnerships provide essential resources and support, helping COTS continue their vital work and assist more families.
Recent examples of generosity illustrate the power of these partnerships. The NFL Draft and Little Caesars Love Kitchen event brought joy and substantial support to COTS. Amon-Ra St. Brown, along with Roary the Lion and the Detroit Lions Cheerleaders, visited COTS to serve pizza, dance, and play games. The event ended with a generous $50,000 donation to support COTS’ mission.
Similarly, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra visits COTS to provide an enriching experience for children to enjoy music, songwriting, and learning about various instruments. These partnerships highlight the power of community collaboration and the importance of corporate support in enabling COTS to continue their impactful work.
Join COTS Community
Despite the tremendous work being done, COTS faces challenges, particularly during the summer months when demand for their services peaks. With schools closed, many families lose access to free or reduced-price meals, and parents struggle with increased childcare needs.
There are numerous ways readers can support COTS and contribute to their mission. Donations are always welcome and can be made as one-time gifts or through their monthly giving program, which provides ongoing support for families.
Participating in fundraising events and spreading awareness about COTS on social media (@cotsdetroit) are also crucial. Every bit of support helps.
COTS is more than a shelter. Through tailored services, dedicated staff, and community partnerships, it creates opportunities for success and fosters lasting change. By supporting COTS, you are helping to build a stronger, more compassionate community. Visit COTS’ website www.cotsdetroit.org to learn more, donate, or get involved. Together, we can create opportunities to succeed.
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