What We Do

"There is no organization that does exactly what you do in terms
of the enrichment funding for extra curricular activities and tutors."

— Development Director, Hamilton Family Center

COS raises funds to implement and underwrite programs for children in transition and in shelter, including:

• Summer camp
• College and secondary school tuition assistance
• Back-to-school clothing and educational materials
• One-on-one tutoring
• Cultural experiences, such as musicals, plays, sporting events and museums
• Empowerment opportunities with mentors and/or resources
• Support for talent and skills of individual children such as music lessons, sports, etc.
• Special holiday programs, picnics and other family events
• DrawBridges, an art program designed for therapy for youth

In addition, COS has awarded grants to fund more "macro" initiatives in 2008/9:

• The SF Unified School District's Educational Empowerment Program, which helps homeless/transitional students with special needs be more quickly identified.
• Tuition assistance at both the elementary and college level. Currently, we fund scholarships at Star of the Sea, UCSB and Columbia University.