Why I Walked: Housing, Community, and the COTS 5K

Festive, inspiring, and educational—the 37th annual COTS 5K Walk had it all, set against a perfect backdrop of clear skies, warm sunshine, and a crisp 50 degrees. Dogs, strollers, and participants of all ages gathered at Battery Park for one of the Committee on Temporary Shelter's oldest and most beloved fundraisers, welcomed by the sounds of Jenni & the Jazz Junketeers as the crowd checked in and gathered. Early in the walk, the percussion ensemble Sambatucada set the energy, their driving rhythms moving over 500 participants down Church Street and keeping spirits high throughout the route.

The route wound purposefully through the heart of the city, stopping at several COTS housing sites along the way. Each stop offered a glimpse into the real path someone experiencing homelessness might take when accessing COTS services—from emergency shelter and day-time community space, to longer-term housing support that helps people rebuild their lives. This year's theme, Every Story Deserves a Home, was felt at every turn. Behind every door on the route is a person with a unique story, and COTS believes that homelessness doesn't have to be the final chapter of any of them.

The walk ended back at Battery Park, where the community came together over a free Ben & Jerry's cone to celebrate and reflect on what it means to be a neighbor.

What struck me most was the people—participants from all walks of life, all ages, and all abilities, united by a single cause. As a pediatrician in South Burlington, I see the effects of housing insecurity up close. Many of my patients and their families struggle to find stable housing, and it is one of the most pressing challenges facing Chittenden County. It is also one I am committed to addressing as a state senator. Families and individuals experiencing housing insecurity deserve more from Vermont, and organizations like COTS—which have built a vital safety net for this community—deserve far greater support from the state to continue that work.

It's not too late to make a difference! You can still donate to the Hunt for Vermont COTS team here. Every dollar helps COTS continue its vital work for our neighbors in need.