About Off The Streets York

Off The Streets York, Inc. is a nondenominational charitable organization, 501(c)(3), that provides the homeless with the financial resources to secure and furnish a home, giving respect, dignity, and hope to the homeless in York, PA.

Off The Streets was founded in Danbury, CT by Deacon Michael Oles. He was asked to speak about homelessness to a group of middle school religious education students and he brought along some homeless people to tell their stories. The students were so moved by the stories that they sent money to Deacon Mike to help a particular gentleman. However, Deacon Mike had no experience in getting people into housing (it’s a lot different than cooking meals in a soup kitchen or manning an overnight shelter). After some procrastination, he succeeded in finding an apartment and paid the security deposit with the students’ donations.

After this success, the word got out that Deacon Mike could get people out of homelessness and into housing. Unsolicited contributions from church groups and individuals continued to flow in, and more people were placed in housing. In September 2009, Deacon Mike recruited some volunteers, and Off The Streets was formed as a non-profit organization in Danbury CT. When Deacon moved to Lancaster in 2013, he started a Lancaster chapter. There are 9 chapters in the US today and counting: Danbury, CT, Lancaster, PA, Toledo, OH, Bridgeport, CT, Susquehanna, PA (located in Columbia PA), Wentachee Valley, WA, Middletown, PA, Van Wert, OH, and York, PA.

Steps to the process:

1. Off The Streets York, Inc. (OTSY) is contacted by one of the social services agency caseworkers indicating they have an individual/family ready to move into an apartment/house that has been secured by the agency or individual already.
2. OTSY will assist the family/individual by submitting the security deposit assistance directly to the landlord for those experiencing homelessness but who can pay future rent. OTSY does not provide locations for clients to move into. OTSY relies on the agencies to secure the apartment/house.
3. OTSY tailors each client’s move to meet the needs of the client, identifying their furniture and household needs as they transition into their new home. We supply furnishings from donations from the community. We deliver and set up their furnishings to establish their new home. Off The Streets York secures, picks up and delivers basic donated furniture to make an empty space a home. Most of those whom we help, are mothers and children living in squalor, shelters, cars, etc.