Rotary helps COTS
grow
Nonprofit adds
bedrooms to men’s facility
By Kara Patterson
Post-Crescent
staff writer
APPLETON — A map in COTS
Inc.’s main College Avenue residence has shown Ken Vander Steen how the
transitional housing program is expanding to give more men a stable home
base.
Vander Steen said it’s good that Pioneer Haven — one of three Community
Outreach Temporary Services facilities for 48 men who otherwise would be
homeless — is adding on nine bedrooms and raising the buildings’ occupancy
to 57.
“There’s always going to be people in my position,” said Vander Steen, 52,
who arrived last January and expects to live in one of Pioneer Haven’s two
companion buildings for at least a year to deal with multiple health
problems. “It’s always going to be nice to have the opportunity to get into
a place like this that’s nicely outfitted when you’re down in the dumps.”
The Appleton West Rotary Club contributed $24,000 to the $58,000
construction project, raising in 10 months the funds it had planned to
collect over two years. Members also are mentoring residents as part of the
club’s centennial project to honor Rotary International’s 100th anniversary
this year.
In turn, COTS Inc. raised about $38,000 for the construction, said Tom
Janssen, president of COTS’ directors board.
A groundbreaking ceremony is set for today at Pioneer Haven, near the
Lawrence University campus in downtown Appleton.
“This project would not have been feasible without (Rotary) involvement,”
Janssen said. “We have a good number of people who … just didn’t get a very
fair chance at life.”
Rotarians in the Appleton West club chose to assist COTS because members
heard past executive director Brad Vivoda speak at a luncheon meeting and
realized the population the nonprofit serves is in great need, said Marty
O’Brien, the Appleton West Rotary Club’s centennial project chairman.
“A lot of people very easily give to charities that are giving to children
or women,” O’Brien said.
“For many people, (when) thinking of helping men that are down and out many
times because of their own circumstances, they may not be so ready to step
up and help. But with this program, it’s not a handout. It’s a hand up.”
COTS Executive Director Todd Sutton, who has been on the job about four
months, said Pioneer Haven’s additional bedrooms will come in handy because
the waiting list for rooms typically hovers between 10 and 15 men.
“Regardless of where they come from, they typically have multiple needs,”
Sutton said.
“Financial hardship, criminal history, substance use, medical difficulties,
mental health issues, poor work history, limited education. Sometimes all of
those things. Our desire is to provide them with an affordable place to
live, food to eat and … training so they can achieve greater
self-sufficiency and ultimately afford permanent independent housing.”
Rent of $240 a month secures each resident a private bedroom furnished with
bed, dresser, nightstand and closet, Sutton said.
Residents, from young adults to senior citizens, also are expected to find
and hold down jobs if they are not on disability, complete assigned chores
and follow individualized programs to help them get back on their feet.
“Anyone that provides assistance to us, that’s impacting individuals in ways
that can’t be measured, whether it’s a bar of soap or a substantial donation
to help with construction,” Sutton said.
Rotarians also have welcomed COTS residents as guests at their regular noon
luncheons and have provided computer programs for job training, O’Brien
said.
“Everybody was on board fully and we never looked back,” he said.