Here is a summary of our programs and results for 2013-2014. We are really proud of our success!

The COTS Miracle Giving Circle is a group of donors who are deeply committed to transforming lives and breaking the cycle of homelessness for adults and children in Sonoma County. These generous community members have made commitments of $1,000 or more per year to sustain COTS’ life-changing programs. View our list of last year's Miracle Giving Circle members published in the Press Democrat.

We encourage our supporters to provide items our families need to see them through their time in emergency shelter or transitional housing as they plan and prepare for more independent living. Our primary need is for gift cards and certificates.

Landlords love working with the COTS program. The landlords get a reliable stream of rent, backed by COTS, and COTS helps with maintenance. And people get a place to live! It's a win-win situation.

COTS' programs are twice as effective as the national average. without COTS: • Businesses across Petaluma would lose over $20.6 million annually; • Businesses could no longer support the jobs of approximately 124 workers; and • Petaluma would no longer generate approximately $1.66 million of state and local revenue annually due to the lost business activity.

In addition to Dr. Vincent Felitti’s presentation, Carrie Hess, Director of Children’s Programs at the Committee on the Shelterless (COTS), will explain how she uses the ACEs framework in her work with homeless families.

P.O.S.T. Wellness helps local nonprofits

We've begun an initiative to talk with young people about homelessness. We kicked off this effort recently, when Warren Theuret, our Operations Manager, spoke to several freshman classes at Casa Grande High School. Warren, a former insurance agent, lived on the streets for 13 years before coming to COTS and pulling his life back together.

Two Petaluma brothers who believe anyone wanting to better themselves should have access to reliable transportation have started a nonprofit, called Broken Cycles, where they mend bicycles for residents at the Committee on the Shelterless and other homeless shelters.

Mike Johnson, COTS' new CEO, seeks an end to homelessness in Petaluma.