What are the opening hours?

Monday 8:30am - 4:30pm Tuesday 8:30am - 4:30pm Wednesday 8:30am - 4:30pm Thursday 8:30am - 4:30pm Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm

COTS

Ending Homelessness in the Fox Valley

To donate to COTS, visit www.appletoncots.org COTS, Inc. We treat all people with dignity and respect.

is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization helping individuals experiencing homelessness in the Fox Cities. COTS provides transitional shelter to individuals in Outagamie, Winnebago, Calumet, and Green Lake counties. Our goal is to end homelessness by enabling individuals to transition to self-sufficiency and stable, independent living. We are home to over 80 individuals on a daily basis. COTS assists

residents in their transition to self-sufficiency by providing a safe, affordable place to live, food, hygiene and household needs, and life skills training. We provide Positive Placement planning and ongoing case management to each resident in our program for up to two years. We also provide three years of Positive Placement (aftercare) Services following the resident’s successful transition to other safe and stable housing.

05/28/2026

We are continually amazed by the kindness and generosity of our community. 💚 Thank you to everyone who supports COTS and helps make our shelters feel like home for our residents.

Right now, we have planters in front of our buildings that could use a little love and color for the summer season! 🌸🌼

If you have any extra flowers, or if you are out shopping and would like to pick up a few extras, we would be so grateful for the donation. Flowers can be dropped off at:

📍 819 S. West Ave., Appleton, WI

We will plant them, water them, and care for them so residents, staff, and visitors can all enjoy the beauty and warmth of summer together.

Thank you for helping us create a welcoming space for everyone who walks through our doors. ☀️

05/27/2026

Need a helping hand? COTS is here for you. 💚

If you or someone you know is in need of housing support and would like to learn more about the programs at COTS, the first step is simple. Visit our website and fill out a short application at:

www.appletoncots.org/programs/how-to-apply/

Completing the application starts the process of connecting with our team to learn more about the program and determine eligibility.

At COTS, we understand that everyone faces challenges at times, and asking for support is a sign of strength. Our goal is to provide a safe place, supportive services, and the tools needed to build a path toward stability and independence.

You are not alone. 💚

05/26/2026

Every day at COTS, we witness growth in so many forms. 🌱

Here is an update on the plants that a resident started from seed earlier this spring. They are thriving in the hoophouse behind the shelter. Each day, he takes time to carefully water and tend to them, and the progress has been incredible to watch. With the warm weather finally here, we know they’re only going to keep growing stronger.

What makes this so meaningful is that the plants reflect something we see every day among our residents too. Growth takes patience, consistency, care, and hope. Just like these plants, our residents are putting in the work each day to build brighter futures for themselves.

We love seeing the visual reminder that growth may start small, but with support and determination, amazing progress can happen. 💚

05/25/2026

Today, we pause to honor and remember the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving our country. 🇺🇸

On this Memorial Day, COTS extends our gratitude to all who have served and especially remembers those who gave their lives in service to others. Their courage and sacrifice will never be forgotten.

As we spend time with family and friends today, we also reflect on the importance of community, compassion, and supporting one another through difficult times.

Wishing everyone a safe and meaningful Memorial Day.

05/21/2026

We love celebrating the successes of our past residents! 💙🎓

A former resident from our women’s building recently reached out to share some exciting updates with the Service Coordinator. After spending two years at COTS, she moved into her own apartment a few months ago and is doing an amazing job living independently.

Not only is she maintaining stable housing, holding down a job, paying her bills, and building a healthy relationship, but she also recently graduated from the GED program through Fox Valley Technical College, CCEP (Community Corrections Employment Program) and DOC (Department of Corrections)! She is also on track to successfully graduate from drug court!

This resident truly reflects the values and mission of COTS. Through hard work, determination, and the skills she developed during the program, she continues to create a strong and stable future for herself.

We are incredibly proud of all she has accomplished and cannot wait to see what comes next. The future is bright!🌞

Happy Graduation! 🎉

05/20/2026

A huge thank you to Lillian and the Neenah Joint School District Neenah Key Club for their generous donation of hygiene products for the residents at COTS! 💙

Lillian recently stopped by to deliver the items and was able to take a tour of COTS to see firsthand the hard work and determination our residents show every day as they overcome barriers and work toward stable, independent living.

Donations like these provide essential support for our residents while also reminding them that the community cares about their success and well being.

Thank you, Lillian and the Neenah Key Club, for your kindness, generosity, and interest in supporting our mission. We truly appreciate your support! 💛

05/19/2026

The women at COTS recently came together for a special potluck celebration to honor and appreciate moms. 💐

The meal was filled with amazing homemade dishes including pepper stuffed cheeseburgers, grilled hotdogs, pasta salad, fresh fruits and vegetables, Hmong egg rolls, homemade brownies with cream cheese frosting, and so much more. Everything was absolutely delicious and enjoyed by everyone!

Moments like these are about more than just sharing a meal. They create connection, laughter, community, and a sense of belonging. It was wonderful to see the women come together to celebrate one another and enjoy time filled with gratitude and encouragement.

A special thank you to everyone who helped make the meal and celebration possible! 💙

05/14/2026

A huge thank you to Tru Earth for their incredible donation of a year’s worth of laundry strips for residents across all five COTS shelters! 💙

Tru Earth has been a supportive donor for the past three years, and we are so grateful for their continued generosity and partnership.

The laundry strips are not only convenient and easy to use, but they also help keep our laundry rooms clean and organized. No more messy detergent dispensers, and the strips can easily be stored right on the back of the laundry room doors, saving valuable space in our shelters.

This thoughtful donation helps both our residents and staff every single day. Thank you, Tru Earth, for caring about our residents and supporting the mission of COTS. Your generosity truly makes a difference! 💛

05/13/2026

A huge thank you to TWL Powersports Oshkosh for their incredible support of COTS! 💙

Not only did they generously donate much needed cleaning products for our residents, but they also volunteered their time and energy alongside Rebuilding Together to help complete projects around the shelter.

These acts of kindness make such a meaningful difference for the individuals staying at COTS. From providing essential daily items to helping improve our shelter spaces, Team Winnebagoland showed what true community support looks like.

Thank you for caring for our residents and helping create a welcoming environment where individuals can focus on rebuilding their lives. We are so grateful for your partnership and generosity! 💛

05/12/2026

One of the wonderful things about COTS is watching residents discover new passions and grow in confidence along the way. 🌱

Recently, one of our residents took the initiative to start plants from seed. He is growing corn and beans, and everyone at COTS has enjoyed watching the tiny seeds grow into thriving plants that are almost ready to be transferred into the hoop house.

There is something powerful about planting a seed and caring for it as it grows. Much like gardening, the journey out of homelessness takes patience, support, hard work, and hope for what is ahead. Watching residents try new hobbies, develop new skills, and reinvent themselves is one of the greatest joys of our program.

We cannot wait to see both the garden and this resident continue to flourish this summer. 💚

Address

819 S West Avenue
Appleton, WI
54915

Opening Hours

Monday	8:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday	8:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday	8:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday	8:30am - 4:30pm
Friday	8:30am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+19207343609

Website

http://www.appletoncots.org/

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