Vermont Business Magazine The Committee on Temporary Shelter (COTS) hosted its Annual Meeting and Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast on Friday, Oct 21, at the First Congregational Church of Burlington. The event is an opportunity to honor the extraordinary contributions by volunteers, community partners and local businesses that support COTS work to end homelessness. The recipients were chosen for their outstanding service and commitment to assist and advocate for our neighbors struggling with homelessness or those who are marginally housed.
The event’s keynote speaker was Jennifer Hurley, program coordinator for University of Vermont‘s early childhood special education program and assistant professor of education. Hurley has conducted a multi-year qualitative research study on homeless infants and toddlers in Vermont. Hurley was accompanied by UVM doctoral student Winnie Looby. COTS was partner on the project: More than 56 percent of children in COTS shelters and family services were under the age of 5.
The research was focused on Early Intervention service providers working with infants and toddlers in Vermont. Their goal was to better understand the barriers, offer solutions and recommendations for beneficial practices for homeless families. Specifically, they worked with homeless children, ages 0-3, in Vermont who were living in shelters, cars, tents, and other places not meant for meant for human habitation.
The honorees for 2015 were:
·Leahy Leadership Award: Christopher Curtis
Christopher Curtis has spent the past decade as a staff attorney at Vermont Legal Aid. He also co-Chairs the Governor's Council on Pathways from Poverty, and serves on the Board of Directors of Lund. He lives with his wife, Abby, and their two children in Montpelier. He parents instilled in him the importance of contributing to the Vermont community and fighting for social and economic justice. So, it's no accident that after pursuing his law degree he went to work at Vermont Legal Aid. There, Chris has championed his clients and their causes. He has helped his clients save their homes and their means of support. He has pursued systemic changes to help Vermonters have access to public benefits, to have more employment opportunities, and to get their drivers' licenses back. But, most of all, he is using his professional and private voice to speak “truth to power” -- and to help his clients speak truth to power, something that is in the finest Vermont tradition.
·Community Partner Award: Mike Ohler & the Burlington Housing Authority’s Retention Team
Mike Ohler and his BHA team works to help people preserve their housing through stabilizing support and connections to long-term service providers, such as mental health resources. Among their specialties is their task force on hoarding. Sharon Snow, one of COTS' family case manager, said it best about Mike: "Everyone in Chittenden County who has anything to do with housing knows that Mike Ohler knows everything. He is the person I call about a client who has special needs or circumstances. ... He's the person I call when I've got a family who just can't quite keep their housing together. He's the person I call when I just flat out don't know what else to do.”
·Corporate Hero: New England Federal Credit Union
Beginning in 2009, New England Federal Credit Union has provided major gifts and in-kind support to COTS, assisting with both critical needs, such as emergency shelter, as well as long-term solutions, such as homelessness prevention. Beyond their generous financial support to COTS, NEFCU's employees are also valued volunteers, particularly at the Phonathon.
Perhaps one of their greatest gifts, though, is an intangible one: They make us laugh! They always finds a way to surprise us and bring joy to our team. COTS was honored to present the award to NEFCU President and CEO John Dwyer.
·Wilma Rayta Volunteer of the Year Award: Tyler Raymond and Eric Picard
Tyler Raymond and Eric Picard are both longtime Daystation volunteers. As our Daystation said of them: “We realized we could not choose one.”
Tyler of Colchester has volunteered for seven years, while Eric of Hinesburg has been with COTS for nearly three years. Eric has been a lifesaver to staff through his flexibility and willingness to be there on the days they need him most. His calm presence is a gift to staff and guests. Tyler is kind, gentle, and steady, volunteering three days a week from 11-5. You will never have to worry about a ringing phone going unanswered, as Tyler is always on top of that with a cheery greeting. As Daystation Peer Support Staffer Ciara Kilburn said: “We cherish them so much ... And can't imagine our days without either of them.”
·Youth Hero Award: Edmunds Middle School
Edmunds Middle School went above and beyond with their support of COTS this year:
§ Jim Van Duyn and Pat Chiraseveenuprapund and their homeroom students prepared lunch for guests at the COTS Daystation.
§ Daryl Kuhn and Rich Boyers created “Summer Go Bags” for children in family shelter with their homeroom students. The Edmunds students made sure that as children staying in shelter went to camp, they had all the supplies they would need, such as beach towels, water bottles, sunglasses, sunscreen, bug spray.
§ And, perhaps the biggest project of all, is the Puppet Playhouse that Edmunds students in a Design & Technology class, led by Eric Schoembs, designed and built for the Main Street Family Shelter. Edmunds students even made puppets to accompany the new theater, which has been immensely popular with children in shelter.
·Samara-Anderson Walk Award: Ellie Lamontagne and Aenea Thorne
Eighth-grader Ellie Lamontagne of Christ the King School and Aenea Thorne, Champlain College junior and filmmaking student collaborated with COTS to create a series of Web videos. Ellie, who lives in Colchester, suggested ideas and messaging, thinking about ways to make the videos relevant and meaningful to students like her. She wisely remarked: “Homeless kids ... are, well, just kids.” She then helped brainstorm script and video ideas. Aenea, who lives in Burlington, then coordinated, directed, shot, edited and produced the 10 popular shorts, which were viewed by thousands on Facebook and YouTube.