BURLINGTON – New England Federal Credit Union awarded a $1 million grant to COTS to increase housing options for families who are experiencing homelessness in Vermont on January 27, 2020.

 

“One of the many benefits of NEFCU’s growth is our ability to give back to the communities we serve.  There is no shortage of worthy causes and pressing needs, but a place to call home is the foundation for everything else in life. Without that foundation to build on, life’s challenges can seem insurmountable,” said John Dwyer, President and CEO of NEFCU. “We are pleased to be able to support COTS in their efforts to provide services for those individuals and families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.”

 

The public announcement was made Monday morning at COTS’ Main Street Family Shelter.

 

“We are grateful to New England Federal Credit Union for this extraordinary gift and their longtime support,” said Rita Markley, COTS Executive Director. “This grant will give families a desperately needed bridge back to stable housing, and greatly reduce their time in emergency shelter. We are elated.”

 

Nearly 1 in 4 people staying in a state-funded emergency shelter in Vermont is a child. In response to this, one of COTS’ strategic goals is to meet the emergency needs of those children, as well as invest in long-term strategies to end homelessness among families.

 

About NEFCU:

New England Federal Credit Union (NEFCU), headquartered in Williston, is a member-owned financial institution serving communities in the six counties of northwestern Vermont. With more than 90,000 members and $1.4 billion in assets, NEFCU is the largest credit union in Vermont. Anyone who lives, works, worships or attends school in the six counties of northwestern Vermont (Addison, Chittenden, Franklin, Grand Isle, Washington and Lamoille) is eligible for membership.

 

About COTS:

Founded in 1982, the Committee on Temporary Shelter (COTS) is the largest service provider for people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless in the state of Vermont. The nonprofit organization, governed by a volunteer board of directors, provides emergency shelter for families and individuals; family and adult services; homelessness prevention and rehousing assistance; and transitional and permanent housing services.