Gary worked in construction. Then the housing recession hit and Gary was laid off. Gary got some assistance while he waited for his employer to bounce back, hire him back, he just had to wait for the recession to end. So he waited. And waited.… Read More
Our Aftercare Program is a critical part of allowing us to achieve our mission of “Ending Homelessness in the Fox Valley.” Once residents move out of our residential program, the true test of independent living begins. Our Aftercare Program continues to support former COTS residents… Read More
Jeremy has been a part of our Aftercare Program since 2014. He recently shared his success on the COTS Facebook page. “I moved into COTS from the Mooring house in Oct. 2013. I had only a bicycle and a temp job that I didn’t like. I… Read More
When Laura finally escaped the confines of the abusive environment she lived in, she began the process of taking her life and identity back. This is where the community and organizations like Harbor House and COTS were able to help. At COTS, Laura reignited her life’s… Read More
Written by a former COTS resident who is currently in our Aftercare Program I was incredibly deep in heroin addiction. After starting drug court, I was ordered to have a drug and alcohol assessment. After my assessment was completed, the judge and my Probation Agent… Read More
Jeremy moved into COTS because, “I was homeless in that I would have wound up on the street.” Jeremy had been in and out of the hospital three times due to his excessive drinking. The third time, he decided to go into treatment at The… Read More
Written by John Polakowski As COTS’ Aftercare Coordinator, my activities and duties vary from one day to the next and tend to keep me very busy. Thus a typical day includes interaction with current and former residents. I do enjoy making contact and keeping in… Read More
A former resident learns to socialize and stay sober “Drinking is the root of all of my evil. It destroys my functionality,” says Jay. Jay came to COTS after going through six months of treatment at The Mooring House. He had spent most of his… Read More
Resha was a typical college student who, in her own words, “wasn’t great at budgeting.” She graduated without having a job lined up or a concrete plan, and moved in with a friend. After a series of financial missteps, she found herself with a lease… Read More