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.

06/24/2026

🍽️ Volunteers Needed: Share a Meal, Share Hope ❤️

One of the simplest and most meaningful ways to support COTS residents is by providing a home-cooked meal.

We are currently looking for volunteers to prepare meals for residents at our shelter locations. Finding a date that works for your schedule is easy! Simply sign up, prepare a meal in your own kitchen, and drop it off at one of our shelters.

Our residents are working hard every day to overcome barriers to homelessness, maintain employment, attend appointments, and build a foundation for independent living. After a long day, there is something special about coming home to a warm meal waiting for you. It feels like a hug from the community—a reminder that people care and are cheering them on.

Your meal provides more than nourishment. It shows support, encouragement, and kindness during a time when it matters most.

Ready to make a difference? Visit our volunteer page to learn more and sign up to provide a meal:
https://appletoncots.org/get-involved/volunteer/

Thank you for helping our residents feel supported on their journey home. 💙

06/23/2026

❤️ Thank You ❤️

A huge thank you to the anonymous donor who answered our call for help and donated much needed tampons for the women staying at COTS. Your generosity is making an immediate difference in the lives of our residents, and we are so incredibly grateful.

Last week, we shared that COTS was completely out of tampons for the 16 women currently living in our shelters. An anonymous donor stepped forward with a generous donation.

I have to admit, it brought tears to my eyes.

Moments like this remind me just how incredible our community is. When a need arises, you respond with compassion, generosity, and kindness. Because of you, our residents have access to the basic necessities they deserve.

While this donation is such a blessing, the need continues. With 16 women in our shelters, feminine hygiene products are always in demand, and additional donations of tampons are greatly appreciated.

We truly could not do this work without the support of our amazing community. Every donation, every volunteer, and every act of kindness helps provide hope and dignity to our neighbors experiencing homelessness.

Together, we can END homelessness. ❤️

06/18/2026

🚨 We Need Your Help! 🚨

Right now, COTS is completely out of feminine hygiene products, and we are in urgent need of regular sized tampons.

We currently have 16 women staying in our shelter, and for many of them, these products are an essential need they simply cannot afford. Feminine hygiene products are a basic necessity, yet they are often one of the most expensive personal care items to purchase.

If you're able to help, donations can be dropped off at any COTS shelter locations in Appleton or Oshkosh. Visit www.appletoncots.org for our locations.

Prefer to shop online? You can also purchase them through our Amazon Wish List, and they'll be shipped directly to COTS.
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2MEY1UASIR8NW?ref_=wl_share

A simple donation can make a big difference in helping the women in our shelter feel comfortable, cared for, and treated with dignity. Thank you for always stepping up to support our residents and our mission. ❤️

06/17/2026

🐾 Every afternoon, our visiting pup patiently waits by the office gate for her favorite resident to come home from work.

She knows he'll stop by to say hello, give her some scratches, and of course... reward her with a little piece of cheese. (She is a Wisconsin dog, after all! 🧀)

It's a simple routine, but it reminds us of something important.

Healing and growth often happen through consistency. Showing up. Keeping your word. Building trust one day at a time.

Our resident works hard every day and makes time for this special tradition. Our four legged friend waits faithfully, knowing he'll be there. Together, they've created a bond built on reliability, kindness, and connection.

At COTS, those same qualities help people rebuild their lives. Learning to be accountable, creating healthy routines, and developing positive relationships are just as important as finding housing. These small, everyday moments become the foundation for lasting success.

And if a little cheese helps along the way... well, we're certainly not judging. ❤️🧀🐶

06/16/2026

☕🍩 A huge thank you to Shari for brightening our residents' morning!

Not only did she generously donate brand new coffee cups for our shelters, but she also surprised everyone with fresh coffee, creamer, and delicious donuts. It was such a fun and thoughtful treat that brought smiles to so many faces.

Simple acts of kindness like these remind our residents that they are supported by a community that truly cares. Thank you, Shari, for your generosity and for making an ordinary morning feel extra special. We are so grateful for you! ❤️

06/11/2026

Today, we had the pleasure of welcoming representatives from Kimberly-Clark to our Women's Shelter in Appleton! 💚

Their visit provided an opportunity to see firsthand how their generous grant support impacts women who are working to overcome homelessness and build stable, independent lives. We love sharing our mission through tours because it allows community partners to experience the COTS program beyond the numbers and reports.

COTS is more than a housing program. It is a home where residents find safety, support, accountability, and the resources needed to achieve long term success. Seeing our spaces and hearing the stories behind the work helps bring that mission to life.

Thank you, Kimberly-Clark, for your continued investment in the residents of COTS and for taking the time to visit with us today. Your support is making a meaningful difference in the lives of our struggling neighbors.

Interested in seeing how your donor dollars are put to work? We'd love to show you around! Contact [email protected] to schedule a tour and learn more about the impact of COTS in our community.

06/10/2026

🛁 Donation Request: New Towel Sets Needed 🛁

When a resident moves into COTS, we want them to feel like they are moving into a home, not just a shelter. Each resident receives a welcome package that includes new towels, bed sheets, blankets, and hygiene items to help them start their journey toward stability with dignity and comfort.

Right now, we are in need of NEW towel sets for our residents.

If you would like to help, towel sets can be dropped off at any COTS location or purchased through our Amazon Wish List and shipped directly to us. https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2MEY1UASIR8NW?ref_=wl_share

A simple set of towels may seem small, but for someone overcoming homelessness, it is a reminder that their community cares and that they are worthy of a fresh start.

Thank you for helping us provide not only safe and stable housing, but a place our residents can truly call home. 💚

Thank you for caring for our struggling neighbors and supporting the mission of COTS.

06/09/2026

A few days ago, we put out a request for flowers to help brighten up the front of our shelter. Our amazing community responded!

A special thank you to Clarence Davids & Company and one of their talented team members who generously donated extra flowers to COTS. 🌸🌼

With their donation, we were able to put together beautiful flower pots that now welcome residents and visitors to our shelter. We can't wait to watch them fill out and bloom throughout the summer.

It is incredible how a simple act of kindness can make such a difference. These flowers not only brighten our front stoop, but they also help create a warm and welcoming environment for everyone who walks through our doors.

Thank you to Clarence Davids & Company, Cathleen and all of our supporters who continually show up for COTS. Your generosity helps make our shelters feel more like home. 💚

06/04/2026

A huge thank you to the AbbyBank Foundation for their generous grant that made our new e-bike charging station possible! 🚲⚡

It took us a little time to find the perfect charging station and the right location, but we think the wait was worth it. Isn't she beautiful?

This new addition provides COTS residents with a safe and secure place to charge their e-bikes, helping them maintain reliable transportation to work, appointments, and other important destinations. The station is located inside a shed, protecting both the bikes and the charging equipment from Wisconsin weather.

We are so grateful to the AbbyBank Foundation for investing in practical solutions that help our residents build stability and independence. Thank you for helping us remove barriers and create opportunities for success! 💚

06/03/2026

A big thank you to Happy Bellies - Appleton for the delicious donation of cookies and hand pies! 💚

What a wonderful surprise and such a fabulous treat for our residents. Moments like these bring a little extra joy to the day and are truly appreciated.

If you are looking for amazing gluten free treats, be sure to check out Happy Bellies Bake Shop. You will not be disappointed!

Thank you for your kindness and generosity!

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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