Volunteer at COTS!

Volunteers play an important role at COTS and are part of our "extended family," providing support and assistance to individuals and families at COTS. Please note that COTS volunteers must be at least 18 years old. If you are younger than 18, there are many other ways you can help COTS. For some ideas, click here.

If you are 18 or older and wish to volunteer at COTS, please review our list of volunteer opportunities to see what appeals to you. THANK YOU for your interest in helping at COTS!

Volunteer Opportunities at COTS

With the exception of COTS Walk and Phonathon volunteers, all opportunities at COTS require volunteers to commit to the highest level of confidentiality and sign an agreement to that effect. In addition, some opportunities (denoted by an asterisk [*] below) require a volunteer application, interview, and criminal background check.

	Staff the front desk in our administrative office on Monday, Tuesday or Thursday afternoons, 1 pm to 4 or 5 pm (or 5 pm preferred); social work experience preferred*
	Provide child care to children in our Family Shelters*
	Lead cooking classes in our Family Shelters*
	Lead workshops on topics of interest to COTS guests (e.g., interviewing for jobs, parenting, computer skills, budgeting)*
	Staff the front desk in our administrative office on Fridays, 9 am - 1 pm (social work experience preferred)*
	Bring and serve lunch at the Daystation for 40 to 50 people
	Create opportunities for COTS to speak to groups about homelessness in our community
	Volunteer or organize a team for our winter Phonathon (late November - early December)
	Volunteer or organize a team for our annual COTS Walk (first Sunday in May, 2pm)
	Organize a drive for art supplies for the family shelter.
	Organize a drive to collect items on the COTS Wish List (diapers, art supplies, etc.)
	Provide evening transportation to people in shelter who wish to attend AA meetings in the Burlington area. (Once a week would be great; twice a week would be better)*
	Assist very low-income people one-on-one with budgeting, bill paying, etc.*
	Help elderly or disabled people with household organization and shopping, or provide transportation and assistance with errands and getting to doctors’ appointments.*

Click here to download the COTS VOLUNTEER APPLICATION if you are at least 18 years old.

Questions? Please contact Deb Bouton at (802) 864-7402 x104, or e-mail deborahb@cotsonline.org.

To learn about other ways you can make a difference in our community, visit

the United Way Volunteer Center.