In Detroit, strength isn’t something we just talk about; it’s how we live. It shows up in the neighbor who shovels an elderly resident’s walkway, the teacher who buys extra supplies for her classroom, and through people who volunteer together at local nonprofit organizations. This city knows resilience by name — and for families experiencing poverty, that strength is what keeps them moving forward, one determined step at a time.
At COTS, that same Detroit spirit fuels everything we do. For more than 40 years, COTS has been helping families overcome homelessness and break the cycle of poverty for the next generation and beyond. Through housing, coaching, and its nationally recognized Passport to Self-Sufficiency® framework, COTS partners with families to build stability, not just for today, but for tomorrow, and for generations to come.
Still, the need is urgent.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, half of Detroit’s children are growing up in poverty, and nearly one in three city residents struggles to make ends meet. These are not just statistics; they represent families working tirelessly to keep roofs over their heads, food on their tables, and dreams alive for their children.
And when systems falter, when federal shutdowns, frozen benefits, or economic shifts threaten already fragile progress, Detroit doesn’t wait for someone else to fix it.
We come together, and we go to work.
That’s why COTS is calling on Detroiters to stand shoulder to shoulder in support of families striving for stability. We believe that hope should never shut down and that we have a responsibility to put compassion into action. The recent challenges that have impacted so many serve as a reminder that even when policies change or programs pause, our community’s commitment to one another must remain steadfast.
“At COTS, we see hope every single day,” says Cheryl P. Johnson, CEO of COTS. “We see it in parents completing their education, and we see it in children celebrating their accomplishments in school. We celebrate with families as they achieve goals that they once thought were out of reach. Detroit’s strength lies in our ability to come together and create opportunity, especially when times are hardest.”
This isn’t charity. It’s collaboration.
COTS walks alongside families, offering resources that address the interconnected realities of poverty — housing, employment, education, health, and economic mobility. Every family sets its own goals and defines what success looks like for them. Coaches provide ongoing guidance, accountability, and encouragement, helping households establish stability. It’s a model rooted in dignity and possibility, and it works.
Last year alone, COTS supported more than 1,100 people, 60% of whom were children, providing pathways from crisis to stability. Each success story ripples outward, strengthening neighborhoods, schools, and the broader Detroit community.
COTS invites individuals, corporations, and partners across Metro Detroit to be part of that ripple. Whether through a one-time donation, a monthly gift, or a corporate sponsorship, your support helps ensure that hope and help are extended to families who need it.
Because in Detroit, we don’t turn away.
We come together.
We go to work.
And together, we Create Opportunities To Succeed!
About COTS
Founded in 1982, COTS is a private, Detroit-based nonprofit organization that provides emergency shelter, supportive housing, children’s services, and comprehensive support services for families experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness. COTS creates and facilitates opportunities for families in poverty to collaborate, thrive, and succeed in building strong and stable households, neighborhoods, and communities. To meet some of COTS families, visit cotsdetroit.org/the-art-of-the-family/. Learn more at cotsdetroit.org.
