Stories

Starting July 1, 2022, we're beginning a new chapter with a brand new name. No longer will we be known as the Coalition On Temporary Shelter. We're now officially: COTS.

We've come a long way from our 1982 start as a coalition of parties focused mainly on homeless single men. COTS is now an independent organization that supports families seeking housing stability, whole-spectrum health, career development and so much more through our Passport To Self-Sufficiency™ framework.

In 2021 alone, COTS assisted 462 families as they set meaningful goals and took advantage of coaching to achieve them. Sixty percent of individuals participating in COTS programs are children. Programs like our Bright Beginnings early head start education established with our partners Ilitch Children’s Charities and Say Detroit as well as COTS’ new Family Development Program emphasizing whole-family services interrupting generational poverty supported by our partner, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation are just a few of the impactful opportunities we offer to participating families.

Follow COTS’ on social media (Facebook/Instagram/Twitter: @cotsdetroit) and subscribe to our Art of Family podcast (available on your favorite podcast source) as we release more information over the course of our 40th anniversary year.

COTS, creating opportunities to succeed.

Founded in 1982, Detroit-based COTS is a private, non-profit organization that provides emergency shelter, supportive and affordable housing, and comprehensive support services for families experiencing and at risk of experiencing homelessness. COTS exists to create and facilitate opportunities that empower families in poverty to collaborate, thrive, and succeed in building strong and stable households, neighborhoods, and communities. Through the Passport to Self-Sufficiency™, COTS assist families in reaching their housing, economic, health, education, and career goals. COTS also exists to advocate for long-term solutions to the problem of homelessness.