Who We Are
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
What We Do
Off The Streets York (OTSY) assists people in York County, PA who qualify, to move from homelessness into homes by assisting them with security deposits and donated furniture. A volunteer team moves the families into homes. Volunteers also pickup furniture donations, select items to go into apartments, repair furniture, shop for household items to provide for families, organize volunteers, review and measure apartments, speak at events, create social media posts, write grants, create newsletters, administrative responsibilities, and the list goes on.
