Zella Thorsen, 96,
learns about the
program from Denise
Dorsz of COTS.
Pearl Scharf, who heads the
Trowbridge Residents
Council, takes one last look
at the shelter.
tion check from Forest City
Inc., the Cleveland-based
company which operates
Trowbridge. Their visit
marked the first of what
they hope will be many vol-
unteer activities for the
shelter.
COTS, a private, nonprof-
it agency that provides tem-
porary housing for Detroit's
homeless, recently launched'
a foster grandparents pro-
gram for children in the
child-care center.
Director Peggy Posa
briefed the group about
COTS before Director of
Transitional Services
Denise Dorsz escorted them
on a tour of the eight-floor
facility.
The women asked a few
questions. "Are they encour-
aged to leave permanently
when they are able to?" Mrs.
Scharf asked. Ms. Posa
explained the purpose of
COTS is not to provide a
.
.
, YONOINIM*000'
•
Alialliii01111
0.101110101.111/WIMINWO.0 "-
•
- •
.
permanent
residence.
Rather, COTS aims to give
a future of hope to homeless
women, children and men.
Ms. Dorsz said those liv-
ing at the shelter are offered
job training and resume-
writing workshops. After a
homeless person at COTS
finds a job, the shelter pro-
vides bus passes for two
weeks until the first pay-
check arrives. Once the first
check comes, the new
employees begin contribut-
ing to their expenses.
The Trowbridge troupe
said they felt wonderful after
their visit, and that they
would consider another trip
to read to the children.
Meanwhile, the Trowbridge
Residents Council — headed
by Mrs. Scharf — is dis-
cussing long-term projects to
help COTS, which has grown
from 45 to 140 beds since its
inception in 1982. ❑
• . .
c)
Cl,
>-
-J
01